United Kingdom traffic rules. Abstract of the rules of the road in the UK
We will tell you what to expect on these roads, what traffic rules you need to follow in order not to pay huge fines, and how to rent a car.
Go!
The total territory of Great Britain is 243,809 km², of which England occupies 130,395 km², Scotland - 78,772 km², Wales - 20,779 km² and Northern Ireland - 13,843 km².
In Great Britain temperate oceanic climate, throughout the state during the year there is a lot of precipitation in the form of rain. The minimum temperature rarely drops below -12°C, and the maximum fluctuates around +35°C. The most "dry" are the eastern parts of the state. Winters in the UK, thanks to the golf stream, are quite mild - if snow falls, it does not last long.
Network length highways Great Britain is 398,350 km, of which 3,557 km are motorways. Paved roads cover 344,000 km and unpaved roads account for 54,350 km.
In the UK, driving is on the left!
Paid sites quite a lot, including bridges and tunnels.
Fare depends not only on the distance or type of road, but also on the category of the vehicle (the number of wheels and axles of the vehicle and even its height play a role here). Travel on bridges and in tunnels varies from £0.60 (pounds sterling - approx. 54 rubles) to £6.60 (583 rubles).
The only paid autobahn is the M6. It is located north of Birmingham.
The amount of fare on it depends not only on the class of the car, but also on the time - the cheapest way is to travel at night: from £1.80 (159 rubles) to £8.60 (759 rubles), from Monday to Friday - the most expensive fare: from £3 (265 rubles) to £11 (970 rubles). Well, on Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 to 23:00 you will have to pay from £2.80 (247 rubles) to £9.60 (847 rubles). You can pay in cash or by credit card, as well as using an advance payment through an electronic system (in this case, you do not have to stand in line and make transactions with a card or money). You can pay yourself through the terminal, or you can use the services of a cashier in the window. The payment method is indicated by the corresponding icons on the electronic scoreboards.
The longest and world famous toll road section in the UK is the Eurotunnel (Channel Tunnel) connecting mainland Europe and the UK. Its length is approximately 51 km, 39 of which are under the strait. The tunnel is not a road tunnel, but a railroad runs through it. Cars are loaded into special shuttle train cars: cars separately, buses and trucks - separately. Drivers of large vehicles travel in special passenger cars in the same composition. But those traveling in passenger cars often, in order to save money, do not buy individual tickets for a passenger car, but go directly in their cars - this is allowed. Cars for cars have lighting, you can even take pictures in them (but only without a flash: its fire sensors take it as a danger and give the command to automatically stop the train. The consequences of this will hit the pockets of unlucky passengers very sensitively).
Eurotunnel fares:
1. Day Trip & Overnight - round-trip tickets. They are issued for two days and must be returned by midnight on the second day after departure. Ticket price - £23 (2030 rubles).
2. Short stay - round trip tickets for 5 days. Must be back by midnight on the fifth day of departure. Price - £59 (5208 rubles).
3. Single or Long Stay - regular tickets, no return time limits. Price - £79 (6973 rubles).
As for the carriages for passengers, they look like common ones with a difference in price depending on the class and level of comfort. Compartment wagons are not provided.
Let's talk a little about moving around the capital of Great Britain. The most important thing to keep in mind - in London, paid entry to the city center(about £10 - 883 rubles). The driver has the right to an unlimited number of entries into the center during the day, the fee is charged once. From 18:30 to 07:00 the ride is free. Entry is recorded by cameras, and payment must be made during the day, otherwise a fine will be imposed. To pay, you need to call a special phone number (you can get it at the hotel or tourist office), provide the number of the car and credit card.
Road quality in the UK
It is difficult to say that in the UK asphalt is of perfect quality. However, the roads are generally excellent here. How can this be? But the fact is that the organization of traffic, signs and markings, traffic rules, as well as the behavior of local motorists and road services - all this together delights British roads.
You can see a lot of roads with patch repairs, it doesn't look very nice, but the quality of such "patches" is so high that bumps and joints are not felt at all.
The pits here close up the smallest and very quickly. A day or two after their appearance trouble spot a special “checker” circles in red paint, after which the road workers get down to business.
Almost all roads have a slight slope in both directions, to the curbs, where the "storm drains" are located. Therefore, after frequent heavy rains, the road does not wash out, because all the water goes into the drains.
Signs, markings, signs, traffic lights and information boards - all this can be found even in the smallest cities in the UK.
Pedestrian crossings, bike paths, sidewalks, safety islands - everything is very convenient for people around the roads.
Commuter roads in the UK can be quite intimidating to tourists due to their width. The fact is that sometimes it seems that the track is single-lane, but then you can see how cars drive around it, and at a fairly high speed. And the mountain roads are also very winding, with an abundance of sharp turns, descents and ascents.
Many tourists are frightened by such maneuvers, so there is a completely natural desire to snuggle up to the side of the road.
And in the eastern part of the state, country roads are often flooded after rains, and no one dares to drive along them, everyone moves to a detour.
In the UK, there are over 400 cars per 1,000 people. This is a lot, so it is not surprising that traffic jams are common here. Especially in big cities.
We offer a closer look at the roads in some cities in the UK:
London:
London traffic jam, almost entirely consisting of cabs (eng. - "cabbie")
In the UK, every road has a number. Therefore, before embarking on a long journey around the country, we advise you to carefully prescribe your route. In addition, the UK has an excellent road sign system that is very easy to follow. The road number follows the letter, as it does throughout Europe.
The color of signs and letters varies in the UK:
Freeways/motorway (prefix "M" - white numbers on a blue background) - high-speed intercity highways linking major cities. The maximum speed allowed is 112 km/h. Freeways are ideal for traveling long distances by car, but traffic jams are not uncommon during rush hour or bad weather;
The main routes (prefix “A” - yellow numbers on a green background) connect major cities, and also have access to freeways. Usually these are expressways, but due to the fact that they pass through cities, and not outside them, congestion is possible during rush hour;
Alternative routes (prefix “A” - black numbers on a white background) connect small cities;
Class B roads (prefix "B" - black numbers on a white background) - roads of local importance;
Secondary roads (white signs) are country roads or residential streets.
The route number following the letter “M” means that the road has turned into a motorway, for example: A3(M).
The route number given in brackets indicates the direction, for example: A507 (M1) - you can reach the M1 highway by following the A507 route.
The speed limit for passenger cars is 112 km/h on freeways and highways; 96 km / h - on one-way roads, if this does not contradict the established signs; 48 km / h - on city streets. To improve road safety, some places set speed limits of up to 32 km/h.
Security cameras are installed on all types of roads. Their numbers fluctuate in different areas. For example, on the highways of the largest English county of North Yorkshire (North Yorkshire) there are no cameras at all.
Mandatory speed limits apply on the M25, west of London, and on the M42 near Birmingham. In practice, some motorists accelerate to 130 km / h.
In the UK, driving standards are maintained. According to statistics, local roads are the safest in Europe.
It is forbidden to drive a vehicle while intoxicated. The permitted level of alcohol in the blood is 0.08%. If this number is higher, you may be prosecuted. Often on Friday and Saturday evenings, British roads are patrolled by policemen. The fine for drunk driving is 5000 GBP. In addition, you may be deprived driving license for up to 12 months minimum and even take into custody up to 6 months.
In Britain, it is not customary to warn oncoming traffic of a police post by flashing the high beam.
In a dangerous situation in which there is a risk of death or harm to human health, you should always honk your horn, even at night. Inappropriate use of the signal is prohibited between 23:00 and 07:30.
It is also forbidden to speak while driving. mobile phone. But you can always use a headset. In addition, all passengers must wear seat belts. Otherwise, you will be fined 30 GBP. Using fog lights when there is actually no fog also results in a £30 fine.
British road rules differ from those in other countries, for example: you don't have to stop in front of a school bus, you can't overtake on the left, and you can't turn left on a red light.
There are many roundabouts in the UK, from multi-lane roads on dual carriageways to small roundabouts on local streets. Rules for roundabout the same as everywhere else: you have priority over moving vehicles that have not yet entered the circle, and also, being on a secondary road, you are obliged to give way to anyone. Some circular roads are designed in such a way that they can shock you. Transport in the UK will take some getting used to.
WikiHow is a wiki, which means that many of our articles are written by multiple authors. When creating this article, 26 people worked on editing and improving it, including anonymously.
This guide has been created to help all visitors to the UK to understand the basics of driving.
Steps
Remember the obvious. Drive on the left side roads. If you try to drive on the right, you will most likely get into an accident. Watch your direction of travel, especially if you are tired or drunk. (Historically, all Europeans used left-hand traffic until Napoleon conquered them and introduced right-hand traffic.) Always keep this in mind, because similar mistake easy to admit, even if you have been practicing for a week.
Learn the language. Bonnet (hood), boot (trunk lid), windscreen (windshield), tire (tires), bumper (bumper), gearstick (shift switch), mobile (trailer), car hire (rental), roundabout (detour), motorway (motorway), A-road (Road-A), B-road (Road-B), RTA (accident)... Make sure you know the correct meaning of these words if you come from North America.
Please note that your driver's seat will be on the right, respectively, the gear lever will be on the left. It is highly recommended to rent a car with an automatic transmission.
Give way to vehicles on your right, not on your left.
If your car is from a country with right-hand traffic, then make the necessary adjustments to adjust your headlights so as not to blind drivers driving in the oncoming lane. To do this, there is a special glue and static shields that are superimposed on the headlights. Some cars under the bonnet (as the hood is called in the UK) have a special light spot regulator.
Stay sober. Although the legal limit in the UK is 35 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, it is strongly recommended that you NEVER drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (even if narcotic substances were prescribed to you legally, according to a prescription). From the point of view of the court and the police, having got into an accident while intoxicated, you immediately become its main culprit, even if in fact it is not so. Refusal of the offer to "blow into the tube" at the request of the inspector will immediately be considered as grounds for arrest.
If you have been stopped by the police, you should just sit and wait for further instructions from the inspector before taking any action, don't worry, this is normal for them. If you communicate in a friendly manner, without harsh attacks, then everything will go smoothly. Always provide proof of identity when asked (with a photo if possible), filing false information or refusing to provide information will result in you being arrested. Unlike the US, in the UK the police do not need a special permit, reason, warrant to stop and thoroughly search you, your belongings (bags, backpacks, pockets), or your car; do not try to prevent this, otherwise you will be detained or arrested.
Be aware that overtaking on the outside of the road is not illegal, but it is not recommended. This is because in the UK, the lane on the left is considered "Slow Lane" (slower), and someone's parked car can stand in it, which can cause an accident.
Remember that the whole of the UK is littered with speed control cameras/radar with automatic license plate recognition. You can find both fixed cameras and mobile radars mounted on the roofs of police cars.
. Check with your local auto shop or police station to find out about any legal requirements you need to meet before driving a car or truck as there are slightly different requirements for different vehicles in the UK. Before you start your trip, make sure you have the correct insurance for your vehicle, otherwise your vehicle will be confiscated and you will be arrested. Make sure the car complies with UK road legal standards, otherwise your insurance policy may be canceled and the vehicle confiscated. If you get behind the wheel of your friend's car, make sure you have permission to do so and that your insurance policy allows you to drive other people's vehicles.
Don't speed. Highway limits are 60 mph (96 km/h) for trucks over 3.5 tons, and 70 mph (112 km/h) for city, intercity buses, and cars.
Remember that the UK is one of the safest driving countries in Europe.
Do not smuggle - Her Majesty's Customs is extremely strict on this, and your truck full of smuggled beer can lead you to deportation, a fine or imprisonment. True, this does not apply to EU citizens who are allowed to carry any amount of beer for personal consumption, although customs will have serious questions if you want to spend more than 110l!
Keep in mind that gas costs three times more in the UK than in the US, so renting a car costs a lot more. Luckily, the UK is a fairly compact country and you won't have to travel for long periods of time.
Be aware that some cities have bus lanes (denoted by road signs, 'BUS LANE' written in large letters on the road, and sometimes red-painted asphalt). Only public buses, taxis, motorcycles, cyclists and vehicles emergency services (with the appropriate license) can use it. All others will be photographed by an automatic camera and fined £60 (about $100).
- Be polite: too much speed of your car can lead to a complete loss of driving license!
- Crossing in the wrong place is a normal pattern for UK cities, so watch out for pedestrians crossing the road. Here you should not be particularly kind with them, waving your hands at them, as this will lead to a loss of control over oncoming traffic, and drivers driving behind may not expect your sudden stop to let a pedestrian pass.
- The Highway Code is the British equivalent of the Highway Code.
- Don't use signals unless it's necessary; measured and careful driving is of paramount importance in the UK, especially in built-up areas.
- Please note that it will take you some time to thoroughly get used to driving on the left. After all, 3/4 of the world's motorists use right-hand traffic, so the UK is in the minority.
- DO NOT blink your headlights to show someone that you are giving way. The UK Highway Code states that flashing headlights can only be used to enable one road user to spot another. Despite this, many drivers believe that flashing their headlights can be used as a courtesy gesture towards others. Be careful! If you got into an accident in such a situation, because you perceived someone's flashing headlights as giving priority on the road, then the law will not be on your side.
- If, nevertheless, someone flashes their headlights, make sure that the decision you are making is safe; rely only on your own judgment! You can raise your left hand in thanks/agreement, but don't lose control of your own car. Although this is a common practice, it is not included in the rules of the road and can be dangerous. If you do not thank the driver for giving way, you can send other road users into an extreme frenzy.
History of traffic rules
In Great Britain.
70 years ago, the first rules of the road appeared in England. A third of the 24-page brochure was devoted to various hand gestures to be used when turning, reversing and braking. The fact is that many cars of that time did not have turn signals or even brake lights.
The government decided to develop traffic rules after receiving official statistics on the number of cars in the UK. More than 2.3 million cars were registered in the British Isles in 1931, and the country's leadership decided that "to ensure the safety of citizens on the roads, it is necessary to adopt general rules governing the behavior of all road users" In addition to the large number of all kinds of gestures that drivers must were to announce their maneuvers, the rules prescribed to honk loudly when overtaking, and in no case to talk to a police officer on duty, so as not to distract him. In addition, drivers of cars that did not have taillights were required to keep their reflectors 'clean to a shine'. And most importantly: while driving, drivers were strictly forbidden to talk with drivers of other cars.
A lot has changed since then. There are more than 27 million cars on the roads in the UK these days that don't even think about talking to someone through an open window while driving. The first rules of the road from an official document turned into a relic: recently one of the first copies of the 1931 traffic rules was sold at auction for 10 thousand dollars.
Features of traffic rules in the UK.
The main feature of road traffic in the UK is that it is left-hand traffic. As practice shows, after a relatively short period of time, a person from countries with right-hand traffic adapts to new conditions and successfully drives a car. In addition, in the UK, road markings are highly informative, and therefore provide significant assistance to road users. Please note that overtaking in the UK must be done to the right of the vehicle being overtaken!
At roundabouts, vehicles on your left have priority. The complete opposite of Russian traffic rules, in particular the well-known rule of "interference from the right."
Vehicles on main roads always have priority over vehicles on secondary roads. If a white stripe of road markings is applied across the carriageway, this means that it is necessary to give way to vehicles moving on the crossed road.
As you know, in some states with right-hand traffic, traffic rules are allowed to turn right even at a red traffic light, provided that other road users are given an advantage. There is a misconception that in the UK you can similarly turn left at a red light. Remember: this is not so, for such a violation you may be subject to a large fine.
In the UK, drivers of vehicles are required to give way to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings (as in Russia, crossings are marked with a zebra). Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a fine.
Drivers and passengers of vehicles must wear seat belts. This also applies to passengers in the back seat (if there are seat belts provided for by the design of the vehicle). Transportation of children under the age of 14 is permitted only if special restraints are used.
Speed limits: Built up areas: 30 mph (48 km/h), one-way roads: 60 mph (96 km/h) for cars, 50 mph (81 km/h) ) for tugs, trailers and buses, dual carriageways. Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h) for cars, 60 mph (96 km/h) for tugs and trailers. The maximum speed limits in Jersey (Jersey) and Guernsey (Guernsey) are 40 miles per hour (65 km/h) and 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) respectively. Changing the speed limit can be quite frequent, so always pay attention to the appropriate traffic signs.
Police.
Oddly enough, but in England there is no special traffic police. A squad of ordinary police arrives at the scene of a traffic accident. The duty to control the speed limit is also assigned to the police. The rest of the organization of traffic is handled by the traffic inspectorate, which belongs to the local municipality.
Police officers in England have the power to block any road, stop any vehicle, and also requisition any vehicle if required to "obstruct any person suspected of committing a crime or preparing to do so using vehicles and roads." Of course, they cannot block traffic for the passage of special vehicles or the unhindered passage of a high-ranking official.
British police officers carefully follow instructions and obey the rules of the road, which has become the subject of jokes many times. British authorities, for example, regularly report fines imposed by police on themselves or their colleagues.
Parking rules.
The rules for parking vehicles have their own characteristics. If a double solid line of road markings is applied along the edge of the carriageway, it means that parking in this place is prohibited around the clock. A single yellow line has the same meaning, but parking may be permitted at this location subject to special notices.
If it is necessary to observe some special rules when parking (the way the vehicle is parked, etc.), then the corresponding road signs will indicate this.
Payment for parking in many places is made using parking meters that issue a ticket to the driver with a mark on the parking time. Most of them accept 20p, 50p and £1 coins.
Even paid parking lots in England are not always guarded. Free parking located mostly far from the city center, and it is allowed to leave the car on them for no more than two hours. In many places you can see a road sign saying Residents parking. It means that in this place parking is allowed only for citizens permanently residing nearby.
For violation of the parking rules, the car can be picked up on a tow truck, put a blocker on the wheels, or even puncture the wheel (such powers are vested in traffic inspectors). Of course, the driver or owner of the car will have to pay an impressive fine.
In general, road traffic in the UK is organized quite well. high level. The road system is well thought out and convenient. Even small roads have a quality surface. To prevent traffic jams, there are many road junctions, both regulated and unregulated, including multi-level ones. Places where traffic jams are possible are indicated by appropriate road signs.
There are few road signs. For example, there is no "Main Road" sign, and a "Give way" sign is very rare. Traffic lights, on the contrary, in settlements there are a large number of. Often at controlled pedestrian crossings, the pedestrian must press the button to switch the traffic signal. No crossroads general rules skip ahead, since most have signs that tell you who to skip. On minor roads, you can also find triangular signs "GIVE WAY" ("Give way"), and red signs "STOP" ("Stop"). Many intersections only have "GIVE WAY" markings on the roadway, dashed white lines and a white triangle. These signs must be strictly obeyed.
Talking on a mobile phone while driving is only allowed using the hands-free system. Violators are fined
The use of the horn in residential areas is prohibited between 23.30 and 07.00.
There are no requirements for the mandatory use of winter tires in the UK SDA.
The roads of Great Britain are a completely separate topic, and we will consider it in more detail. The length of the network of all roads here is 398.350 km.
When we first arrived at Heathrow Airport, the first thing we noticed was that the street was unusually deserted. Illuminated fountains beat in the courtyard. And there is a wall ahead. To get out of here, we approach the door, press the desired code and get into the elevator, which takes us to the third floor of the garage parking lot. Here are rich (by our standards) foreign cars. One is tougher than the other.
Dark pavement, lies perfectly even. We approach our car, sit down and drive along the spiral road in circles to the first floor from the airport to the town of Oldbourne.
The roads pass through mountain valleys, green plains and small copses. In Great Britain left-sided traffic. Drivers in the car sit on the right. The road is divided by a fence into two halves. On the other hand, endless fences stretch along the edge of the road. Here everything is sedate - stiff to the smallest detail. The roads are excellent. Cleanliness is striking. You have to drive about 100 km. There are no familiar pictures of our dilapidated villages. The car rushes so fast that the nearest trees merge into lanes. Fog-hidden stone walls, breathtaking old villages and grazing sheep... They have very strict rules of the road here. Ride fastened must all and in the back seat too.
The first roads in Britain were built by the Romans. The Romans maintained the roads in good condition, but after they left the island, the roads slowly began to fall into disrepair, despite the law that finally appeared that each church parish was obliged to take care of the road that passed through its territory. All men were charged with the duty to work on the improvement and repair of tracks 6 days a year. The biggest reason for great roads in the UK is that they are watched over there. Otherwise, a big fine.
What are the roads like in London itself? The length of London streets and roads is 13,600 km. You have to pay a toll to enter central London. This is approximately £10. Payment is made once a day, regardless of the number of times you enter the area. We leave the car in the parking lot in front of the city and take the subway.
Road in central London.
Free parking spaces, in most cases, are located near large stores, or in a large direction from the center. But the car in such parking lots can be left for no more than one or two hours. Payment for a parking place is carried out using specially installed machines that issue a ticket to the driver.
Crossroad infrastructure.
For the convenience of pedestrians, the road is divided by "islets" where you can wait out the traffic. At the very edge before the transition there is a ribbed platform (pink) so as not to slip in sub-zero weather.
Pedestrian crossing across the street in Oxford.
Road in Oxford. (View from the window of a double-decker bus)
Such narrow roads in the old towns of England.
So they take care of the safety of children crossing the road. They are dressed in bright reflective clothing.
Roads are divided into different types. The first type is motorways. Designated with the letter M. Mandatory have at least two lanes in each direction and a dividing strip between them, pedestrians and slow vehicles are not allowed. Driving speed up to 70 mph or 115 km/h.
The second type of roads are primary roads. They are marked with the letter A.
The third type of roads are non-primary roads. They are denoted by the letter B. Very often very narrow and often winding. May be hilly with poor visibility. The width of the lanes is sometimes less than 2 m. Or there is another option when the road, for example, is 3-3.5 m wide. Before entering each settlement, you are reminded of the speed limit. The maximum permitted speed is also indicated by special markings on the roadway. At the same time, for all road markings, not paint is used, which is erased in a couple of months, but a special embossed thermoplastic that will last for more than one year. Such roads pass through small towns and villages.
Crossroad signs.
On busy roads, at the entrance to the settlement before the first intersection on the road, a transverse yellow marking begins, which creates a strong vibration for the car to attract the attention of the driver. Also in the mountains, before a sharp turn, a special uneven surface has been laid on the road so that the driver does not doze off on the way and does not miss a dangerous turn. 
And the fourth type of roads are local roads. The peculiarity of such roads is that they are maintained and maintained in working condition by local district councils and city authorities. At the intersection of small roads, roundabouts are often arranged.
On all minor roads every few kilometers there are pockets for temporary parking. Signs like P ½ m warn about them in advance - parking half a mile away. There is usually a trash can in the parking lot.
On the same secondary roads, often in addition to the “Dangerous Turn” sign or even without it, a special “Slow” marking is applied to the road, which means a recommendation to slow down on this section of the road. By the way, trees and bushes sometimes grow so densely that the road turns into a green tunnel.
Such "retro cars" come across on the way.
A characteristic detail is that all street lighting poles do not have external wires, all wiring is laid underground in special cable channels. This applies to all roads, cities and even small villages. One standard for the whole country.
Special reflectors are installed on the dividing strip - reflectors, thanks to which the border of one's lane is clearly visible at night. On motorways, reflectors are also installed along the edges of the road.
