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Difficulty: MediumSignals by Authorised Persons

Authorised persons use specific visual, physical, and illuminated signals to regulate traffic and maintain road safety under the Highway Code. How should each of the following signals given by authorised persons be paired with its correct legal instruction for drivers?

  • A police officer facing you with their right arm raised vertically, palm facing forwardStop and remain stationary if approaching the officer from the front
  • A police officer with their left arm extended horizontally to the side, back of the hand facing approaching traffic from behindStop and remain stationary if approaching the officer from behind
  • A school crossing patrol holding a circular stop paddle upright across your lane of travelStop before the crossing point and wait until all pedestrians and the patrol have cleared the road
  • A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) vehicle displaying an illuminated 'FOLLOW ME' sign while driving ahead of youMaintain a safe distance behind the enforcement vehicle and follow it to an inspection site

Answer

Each authorised signal denotes a statutory requirement: a vertically raised arm stops oncoming traffic from the front, a horizontal arm signal stops traffic approaching from behind, an upright school crossing sign requires stopping until the road is fully vacated, and an illuminated 'FOLLOW ME' display requires following the enforcement vehicle to an inspection area.
Under Highway Code Rules 105 to 112, road users must obey all signals given by police officers, traffic officers, DVSA officers, and school crossing patrols. A police officer with an arm raised vertically directs traffic approaching from the front to stop. An officer with an arm extended horizontally directs traffic approaching from behind to stop. A school crossing patrol presenting an upright circular stop paddle creates a mandatory obligation to stop until all pedestrians and the warden have reached the pavement. An illuminated 'FOLLOW ME' sign displayed by an authorised enforcement vehicle directs the motorist to follow safely to a designated inspection area.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Differentiate the physical arm signals used by police officers directing traffic.
The vertical arm raised towards oncoming traffic stops vehicles from the front, while an arm outstretched horizontally to the side stops vehicles approaching from behind.
The Highway Code establishes distinct arm positions so officers can control individual traffic flows without verbal commands.
2
Identify the statutory duties associated with school crossing patrols and vehicle-mounted matrix displays.
An upright 'STOP - CHILDREN' sign mandates an absolute stop until the road is clear, and an illuminated 'FOLLOW ME' matrix sign requires following the enforcement vehicle.
Both school crossing patrols and DVSA officers possess statutory authority to direct traffic and enforce compliance under UK road traffic law.

Key Concept

Interpretation of and compliance with official signals given by authorised persons under UK Highway Code Rules 105 to 112.
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Signals by Authorised Persons

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