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Difficulty: HardSignals by Authorised Persons

You are driving in lane 2 of a three-lane motorway when a marked National Highways traffic officer vehicle pulls ahead of you. The patrol vehicle activates its amber and red flashing lights, indicates to the left, and displays an illuminated matrix board reading 'FOLLOW ME'. What action must you take to comply with this instruction safely and legally?

  1. A
    Brake sharply to come to an immediate standstill in lane 2 directly behind the officer vehicle while switching on your hazard warning lights
  2. Signal left, follow the officer vehicle safely as it guides you across into the left lane or onto the hard shoulder, and pull over where indicatedAnswer
  3. C
    Maintain your position and speed in lane 2 while waiting for the vehicle matrix board to change to a variable speed limit advisory
  4. D
    Flash your headlights twice to acknowledge the message, maintain your speed, and move into lane 3 to pass the officer vehicle

Answer

Signal left, follow the officer vehicle safely as it guides you across into the left lane or onto the hard shoulder, and pull over where indicated
Under Highway Code Rules 105 to 107, National Highways traffic officers are authorised persons with statutory powers to stop vehicles on motorways. When a patrol vehicle displays an illuminated 'FOLLOW ME' message from ahead while indicating left, the driver must follow the vehicle at a safe distance into the left lane, emergency refuge area, or hard shoulder, and come to a halt only where directed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the authority and signal modality
Recognise that a National Highways traffic officer vehicle using illuminated rear matrix text ('FOLLOW ME') alongside amber/red lights is giving a mandatory legal order under the Traffic Management Act and Highway Code Rule 106.
Authorised officers have statutory powers to direct and halt road users on motorways.
2
Determine the required driving manoeuvre
Observe the patrol vehicle's left indicator and adjust vehicle position by checking mirrors, signalling left, and following the vehicle across lanes toward the hard shoulder or designated refuge area.
The officer vehicle acts as a pilot escort to guide the driver safely out of live running lanes.
3
Execute the stopping procedure safely
Come to a complete stop only when and where the patrol vehicle brings you to a safe halt off the main carriageway.
Abrupt stopping in active lanes is prohibited and hazardous on high-speed roads.

Key Concept

Compliance with vehicle-mounted illuminated matrix signals and stopping directives issued by authorised traffic officers
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Signals by Authorised Persons

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