Chapter 5

Question 1

Traditional roundabout characteristics

Answer 1

• One way road
• Must always stay on the right when driving around
• There will generally be a sign on the central reserve or a red and white fence of a bent sign with arrows pointing to the right
• Road leading will often have sign indicating it is ahead

Question 2

Left right overtaking

Answer 2

Just before and on roundabout you may drive both left and right because almost everyone is changing lanes
-You may overtake both left and right on roundabout

Question 3

Priority

Answer 3

On almost all roundabouts you see who has right of way

• All traffic on roundabout has right of way
• on very busy roundabouts, traffic lights control areas. When they are working, they take precedence to priority signs and road markings

Question 4

Exiting roundabout

Answer 4

traffic on roundabout has right of way.

-Applies to cyclists, riders of motor assisted bicycles and pedestrians who have a special track

Question 5

Leaving at the first exit

Answer 5

Approach at right hand lane if want to take first exit

-look at shark teeth

Question 6

Leaving at the intermediate exit

Answer 6

drive center lane and if has 2 lanes, stay on right and signal right

Question 7

Leaving last exit

Answer 7

at first, signal left

• when on roundabout switch off indicator
• indicate right after second exit

Question 8

Observation

Answer 8

Look everywhere at once… if you fail to notice someon has stopped in front of you, you may crash
-use mirrors and look over shoulder - overtaking is allowed on roundabouts

Question 9

Small roundabout with one lane

Answer 9

• Implemented recently to replace crossing on regional road throughs - has reduced accidents
• was called priority roundabout because traffic on them haf right of way
• generally no lights
• signs indicating roundabout are the same for large and small ones
• usually tight, sharp bends (drive no faster than 20 or 30 km/hr
• may still have bicycle lane or non-compulsory lane and must give way to cyclists/moped riders/pedestrians

-sometimes you have priority over bicycle/mopeds - usually only on busy roundabouts

Question 10

Small roundabouts with 2 lanes

Answer 10

Usually where traffic is busy

• often exist where regional roads with much traffic converge and roundabouts at the edge of built up area
• Priority is the same as single lane
• On busy roundabouts with 2 lanes, the amount of traffic leaving on first, second and third may vary considerably (this increases weaving movements and interruption in flow of traffic
  
  • Choose lane before enter to make it run more smoothly

Question 11

Entrance&exit: lowered kerb

Answer 11

• Entrance exits recognized by lowered kerb

- when exiting and entering always give right of way

Question 12

Driving into an entrance on left

Answer 12

go to middle of road (generally within built up area, otherwise can be dangerous)

Question 13

Driving into an entrance on right

Answer 13

• indicate timely
• reduce speed
• may signal with brake pedal that shows intention of driving into an entrance rather than turning into a side road ahead.

Question 14

Pedestrian priority areas: Driving

Answer 14

Drive slowly

• special road section indicated by signs
• public road - but with special rules (must drive at footpace max 15km/h)
• Children or other obstables are likely

Question 15

Pedestrian priority areas: Parking

Answer 15

• No parking in pedestrian priority area

- only on your own premises or special sections of road indicated by P on road/sign

Question 16

Leaving pedestrians priority area

Answer 16

Usually way to leave area is exit (can tell by lowered pavement joining public road)
-give way to everyone outside the area, including pedestrians

Question 17

Exit unmarked junction

Answer 17

exit from pedestrian priority area may be far (approx 20 m) from through road

-ends sometimes with unmarked junction, though sometimes right of way sign is placed

Question 18

30 km zones: Defensive driving

Answer 18

assume many pedestrians/cyclists/kids etc

Question 19

30 km zones: exit

Answer 19

• usually sloping pavement

- give right of way to everyone outside zone

Question 20

Pedestrian crossing: obligation

Answer 20

give way to pedestrians and drivers for disabled ppl at zebra path or who are about to cross

Question 21

Pedestrian crossing: observe

Answer 21

If see someone wanting to cross, reduce speed and brake gently

This way:

• you will avoid a head-tail collision
• you will not startle the pedestrian
• you will at the same time encourage oncoming vehicles to also stop in time (when on single carriageway)

Question 22

Keeping zebra crossing clear

Answer 22

-if driving in a queue which stops and there is a zebra crossing in front of you, keep the zebra crossing clear

Question 23

Overtaking: pedestrian crossing

Answer 23

never overtake with a zebra crossing ahead

-view will be poor and crossing pedestrians won’t see you clearly

Question 24

Bus and tram stop: Giving way to bus

Answer 24

Give way if indicate its pulling away from kerb. (if outside built up area, not necessary)

• Applies to all buses
• Allow to go first when you approach them from the front to go ahead so as to give them space

Question 25

Boarding and alighting passengers on bus

Answer 25

If not indication by bus, always drive past and keep enough distance between yourself and the passengers. Same when bus is coming from other side. -Remember passengers tend not to pay attention to approaching drivers

Question 26

Risks with buses

Answer 26

when bus is at stop, consider: - passengers who got off may suddenly cross from in front or behind bus - people may cross the road in a hurry in order to catch the bus - the bus may drive off immediately as soon as the drive indicates direction

Question 27

Tram stop

Answer 27

- If approaching stationary tram, allow passengers approaching tram or who have just got off to cross the road safely - If approaching a stop simultaneously with tram which is slowing down, and where passengers are waiting on the side of the road, only overtake the tram if you do not endanger the passengers, who often cross unexpectedly

Question 28

Level crossings with barriers

Answer 28

On very busy roads, the level crossing is on a different level and the road traffic crosses a bridge or flyover or goes through a tunnel. -In places where you cross in other ways, the level crossing is on the same and there are barriers

Question 29

Along with barriers, what else does a level crossing have?

Answer 29

red flashing lights and alarm bells. Several seconds after the alarm and lights flash, the barriers will be lowered.

Question 30

What do you do when you're waiting behind the barriers of a level crossing?

Answer 30

-Turn off your engine until the barriers open. When you stop at a level crossing, keep side roads and entrances and exits free

Question 31

What indicates a level crossing with barriers?

Answer 31

-A crossing with barriers is indicated on a yield sign with a gate on it.

Question 32

Speed and level crossings

Answer 32

Time between the operation of the flashing lights and the alarm bells and closing of barriers is based on the maximum speed of the road it is on

Question 33

Once the train has passed

Answer 33

Another train may come.. - Even if the barriers open automatically, there may be another train. - Signs saying wacht tot het rode licht is gedoofd. Er kan nog een trein komen.' alert you to this possibility. It means "Wait until the red light has stopped flashing. Another train may come"

Question 34

Level crossing without barriers

Answer 34

Some level crossings have no barriers but still have the flashing lights and alarms. -Be aware of the level crossing and reduce your speed so that you will have time to take stock of the situation and you will always be able to stop if the red light shows.

Question 35

Unguarded level crossing

Answer 35

Level crossings without barriers, flashing lights and alarms. - Be extra careful when crossing - When approaching an unguarded level crossing in foggy conditions, must only cross if you don't hear or see the train approaching. - Heavy fog suggests finding a different route

Question 36

Advance warning of level crossing

Answer 36

Outside or within the built-up areas, there are warning signs to indicate a crossing. -The sign is on a post (on both sides of the road) that has slanted red lines, with each line indicating a distance of 80m.

Question 37

If car stalls and will not start while you are on a level crossing

Answer 37

- shift into first or second gear - engage the clutch - turn your ignition key and hold it in the start position - the car will now drive off the level crossing on the starting motor (it will be noisy and go with jerks and starts but at least you are off the level crossing!) -if unsuccessful get out of the car

Question 38

St. Andrews crossing

Answer 38

- red and white crosses. | - one cross is one track, two crosses, two tracks etc.

Question 39

Bridge and flyover: Sidewinds

Answer 39

if a high bridges or bridges across wide open water make you sensitive to sidewinds, there is often a warning sign with the symbol of a windsock - If quite regular, there is usually an actual windsock on a post - if sidewind is strong, slow down and make sure engine pulls the car as much as possible

Question 40

Icy weather

Answer 40

Icy weather conditions over bridges and flyovers are more slippery than normal roads -Movable bridges have even higher risk as the surface is thinner and subject to cooling down faster

Question 41

Opening or swing bridge

Answer 41

Indicated by a sign with a symbol of an open bridge - on roads where you would drive quickly, there is often a yellow light next to the sign. If blinking, it means the bridge is going up, is up or has just been up. Be prepared to queue. - At the bridge itself, there will be a light. If it is lit or flashing, you must stop. If you have to wait, turn off your engine. - If there is another road in front of the bridge, there may also be a sign with a red lit up arrow. Drive in the direction of the arrow. So you may have to turn right or left at the front of the bridge. - you may go when light turns off

Question 42

Tunnels: Hazardous materials

Answer 42

Usually there is a sign. -Vehicles carrying dangerous and volatile substances are not allowed to use the tunnel. Usually there is a sign indicating direction they should go.

Question 43

Tunnels: Driving behaviour

Answer 43

- be prepared for drivers in front to slow down and to move away from the tunnel walls. - because they tend to move away from tunnel walls, it is difficult to get enough space to pass. Try to get a larger distance to pass, or don't overtake at all when in a tunnel.

Question 44

Tunnels: sunglasses

Answer 44

It is darker.. take your glasses off

Question 45

Tunnels: Lights

Answer 45

Use dipped headlights in tunnel - it will help you see in front and behind car - Turn lights on before you enter tunnel so that it doesn't confuse other drivers - when leaving tunnel, adjust speed to accommodate for eyes adjusting to light.

Question 46

Tunnels: Lane markings

Answer 46

if you see red light over a lane, don't use it

Question 47

Tunnel: car breakdown

Answer 47

If this happens, try to at least get out of the tunnel and drive slowly - if can't leave, put on the hazards and stop as far to the right as possible. Call 112 and wait for help. - Switch off engine immediately.