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Question

Difficulty: EasySignals by Authorised Persons

You are approaching a junction where traffic lights are out of order and a police officer is directing traffic. The officer stands facing you with their right arm raised vertically, palm facing towards your direction of travel. What action must you take?

  1. A
    Slow down and proceed through the junction with caution
  2. Stop before reaching the officer and wait for further directionAnswer
  3. C
    Flash your headlights to acknowledge the officer and continue driving
  4. D
    Maintain your speed and proceed if your lane ahead is clear

Answer

Stop before reaching the officer and wait for further direction.
Under the Highway Code, an authorised police officer standing facing approaching traffic with their hand raised and palm forward is giving the clear, mandatory signal to 'Stop traffic approaching from the front'. Drivers must bring their vehicle to a complete stop and wait until signalled to move.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the authorised person and their hand position
The police officer is facing your vehicle with their arm raised and palm facing outwards towards oncoming traffic.
Recognising the specific posture determines whether the signal applies to traffic approaching from the front, rear, or both.
2
Apply the relevant Highway Code rule for police signals directing traffic
An arm raised vertically with the palm facing forwards signifies a mandatory instruction to stop traffic approaching from the front.
Under UK traffic law and the Highway Code, drivers must obey all manual signals given by police officers controlling traffic.
3
Determine the required driving action
Bring the vehicle to a safe stop before the junction and await a signal to proceed.
Proceeding without permission or assuming the signal is merely advisory breaches traffic regulations.

Key Concept

Recognising and obeying manual stop signals from police officers controlling traffic
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Signals by Authorised Persons

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