Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardCorrect Use of Vehicle Signals

You are waiting to turn right out of a side road into a multi-lane main road. An approaching driver in the nearest lane slows down and flashes their headlights at you. Which of the following actions should you take according to The Highway Code?

  1. A
    Emerge immediately before the other vehicle speeds up, as flashing headlights legally give you priority to proceed.
  2. B
    Flash your headlights in reply to acknowledge the signal, then proceed out into the road without pausing.
  3. Remain waiting and assess the situation yourself, treating the flash only as an indication that the vehicle is there.Answer
  4. D
    Sound your horn to alert oncoming traffic before moving across into the far lane in front of the flashing vehicle.

Answer

Remain waiting and assess the situation yourself, treating the flash only as an indication that the vehicle is there.
Under Rules 110 and 111 of The Highway Code, flashing headlights only serve to alert other road users that a vehicle is there. You must never assume that a flash is an invitation to proceed, nor does it confer priority. The correct procedure is to remain stationary, make your own independent observations of all traffic lanes, and only move off when it is entirely safe.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the official meaning of flashing headlights under The Highway Code.
Recognise that Rules 110 and 111 define flashing headlights solely as a way to alert others of a vehicle's presence, not as an invitation or permission to proceed.
Drivers must know the official regulatory meaning of vehicle signals to avoid hazardous misinterpretations.
2
Evaluate the hazards of relying on informal signals from another driver.
Determine that drivers in adjacent lanes, cyclists, or pedestrians may not have seen the signal and may continue proceeding along the main road.
Another road user cannot guarantee that the entire roadway is safe for your manoeuvre.
3
Select the appropriate safe driving action.
Hold your position at the junction, complete comprehensive observations across all lanes, and emerge only when personally satisfied it is safe.
Every driver is individually responsible for ensuring their manoeuvre is safe before moving off.

Key Concept

Flashing headlights only warn other road users of your presence and must never be interpreted as an invitation or priority to proceed.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Correct Use of Vehicle Signals

More questions from this topic