Roadworks, a flagman and failed traffic lights
At 17:40 in heavy rain, a 44-seater PSV bus is on a two-lane road approaching a junction. The driver has been held behind a lorry carrying maize at 35 km/h and is 12 minutes behind schedule. Ahead, the driver sees a temporary 'ROAD WORKS 300 m' sign with a 50 km/h plate, a flagman in a yellow coat, and a continuous double white line that becomes a broken line 40 m before the junction. The traffic lights are dark because of a power cut. The stop line is faded, and a pedestrian crossing with worn zebra stripes crosses the side road. A cyclist is riding on the left edge. The flagman is holding up a red board and facing the bus. The driver considers overtaking the lorry before the junction.
1. Explain what the temporary sign, the 50 km/h plate, the flagman's red board and the double white line require. May the driver overtake the lorry?
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The temporary 'ROAD WORKS 300 m' sign warns of works and hazards ahead. The 50 km/h plate sets a temporary maximum speed that is lower than the default limit for that road, and the driver must comply with it. The flagman's red board is a manual stop signal: the driver must stop and wait until the flagman signals otherwise. A continuous double white line means no crossing and no overtaking. The fact that it becomes broken 40 m before the junction does not cancel the works speed limit or the flagman's signal.
Overtaking here would be unsafe and unlawful. It would require crossing the double white line, entering a works zone, and passing a lorry close to a junction where the lights are dead and pedestrians may cross. In heavy rain, stopping distances are longer and the cyclist may need to move out. The driver should stay behind the lorry, reduce speed to 50 km/h or less, stop at the red board, and proceed only when the flagman gives a clear signal. Schedule pressure is not a reason to ignore a manual stop signal or a road marking.
2. The lights are dead. Explain how the driver should treat the junction, including priority, speed and observation, and what to do about the cyclist and pedestrian crossing.
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With the signals dark, the driver should treat the junction as uncontrolled. He should slow to a speed from which he can stop safely, look at all approaches, and apply the give-way-to-traffic-on-the-right rule for an uncontrolled junction unless a police officer or the flagman is directing traffic. The faded stop line does not remove the need to give way; it should be treated as a reminder to stop and check. The flagman still controls the works area, so a red board means stop before the junction.
The driver should approach the pedestrian crossing ready to stop for anyone waiting or crossing; worn zebra stripes are still a crossing. He should keep well back from the cyclist, avoid passing closely in the rain, and check mirrors for motorcycles overtaking on the right. He should use indicators and headlights, make eye contact where possible, and proceed only when the junction is clear. Hazard lights should not be used as a substitute for giving way or as a claim to priority.