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Question

Difficulty: HardSignals by Authorised Persons

Authorised persons use specific vehicle displays and physical hand signals to control traffic and give mandatory instructions. Match each signal given by an authorised person to the correct driver duty and legal meaning.

  • A National Highways Traffic Officer vehicle moves in front of your car on a motorway, activates amber flashing lights, and displays 'FOLLOW ME' on its rear matrix board.Follow the officer's vehicle at a safe distance and pull over only when guided into a designated safe stopping place, such as an emergency area or service station.
  • A marked police patrol car travelling behind you flashes its blue headlights and left indicator while the officer gestures towards the near side.Indicate left and pull over safely to come to a complete stop on the left-hand verge or kerbside as soon as practical.
  • A police officer directing traffic at a junction extends their left arm horizontally out to the side with the back of the hand facing approaching vehicles.Bring your vehicle to a complete standstill before reaching the officer if you are approaching from behind them.
  • A school crossing patrol officer stands at the kerb holding the 'STOP - CHILDREN' sign horizontally across the footway.Do not stop in the road immediately, but prepare to stop shortly, as the sign is being used as a physical barrier holding pedestrians back before crossing.

Answer

National Highways 'FOLLOW ME' matches following at a safe distance to a safe stopping location; Police vehicle signalling from behind matches pulling over and stopping on the left; Police officer extending left arm horizontally with back of hand facing traffic matches stopping traffic approaching from behind; School crossing patrol holding sign horizontally across the footway matches preparing to stop while pedestrians are held back.
Each signal corresponds strictly to UK Highway Code Rules 105-112: Traffic officers displaying 'FOLLOW ME' require drivers to follow them to a designated safe stop; trailing police cars indicating and pointing left require drivers to pull over to the near side; a police officer's horizontal left arm with the back of the hand outward halts traffic approaching from behind; and a school crossing patrol's horizontal paddle across the footway keeps children back on the pavement prior to entering the road.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the authority and vehicle signal for motorway traffic officers.
National Highways Traffic Officers display 'FOLLOW ME' with flashing amber lights on their rear matrix screen to direct drivers to follow them to a safe area off the live lanes.
Traffic officers have statutory powers under the Traffic Management Act to direct motorway traffic safely.
2
Evaluate the procedure for a police vehicle initiating a stop from behind.
Flashing headlights, blue lights, and an indicator to the left require the driver to signal and pull over safely on the near side.
This is the standard procedure defined in Highway Code Rule 106 for pulling over motorists.
3
Interpret the manual hand signal given by a police officer directing junction traffic.
A horizontally extended left arm with the back of the hand facing oncoming traffic is the official signal to halt vehicles approaching from behind the officer.
Highway Code Rule 109 differentiates front stops (right arm raised vertically, palm forward) from rear stops (left arm horizontal, back of hand outward).
4
Determine the meaning of the specific school crossing patrol paddle orientation.
Holding the sign horizontally across the footway holds children back on the pavement rather than halting roadway traffic immediately, indicating drivers should anticipate an imminent stop.
Highway Code Rule 108 defines distinct paddle positions for holding children back, stepping into the carriageway, and halting traffic.

Key Concept

Statutory signals and driver duties under UK Highway Code Rules 105 to 112 regarding Police, Traffic Officers, and School Crossing Patrols.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Signals by Authorised Persons

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