Driving Safely: Road Works, Level Crossings, and Tramways

This government guidance provides crucial rules and advice for drivers navigating specific hazardous situations on the road. It offers clear instructions on how to behave when encountering road works, including on high-speed routes like motorways, emphasizing safe practices such as observing speed limits and maintaining distance. The text also outlines detailed procedures for approaching and crossing level crossings, explaining various types of crossings and mandatory actions like obeying signals and using railway telephones when necessary. Finally, it addresses safe interactions with tramways, detailing rules for avoiding tram-only areas, parking restrictions near tracks, and proper behavior around tram stops, while also highlighting the dangers of overhead lines and track crossings for all road users.

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• What are the primary considerations when approaching road works? When approaching road works, drivers should pay extra attention to the "Road Works Ahead" sign and look for additional signs providing specific instructions. It is crucial to observe all signs for safety. Key actions include not exceeding temporary speed limits, maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front, getting into the correct lane in good time as directed by signs, and avoiding switching lanes to overtake queuing traffic. Special care should be taken around cyclists and motorcyclists due to potential debris, and drivers should merge in turn where lanes are restricted. It is forbidden to drive through areas marked by cones, and vigilance is required for vehicles entering or leaving the works area, especially those with amber warning lights. Drivers should concentrate on the road ahead, not the road works themselves, and be aware that the road may be obstructed by the works or slow/stationary traffic.
• What are the additional rules and features to be aware of at road works on high-speed roads like motorways? On motorways and other high-speed dual carriageways, additional care is necessary. Lanes may be closed, and lower speed limits may apply. Works vehicles might be used to close lanes, and drivers MUST move over and pass on the indicated side where large "Keep Left" or "Keep Right" signs are displayed on their back. It is mandatory not to return to a closed lane until it is safe. Vehicles displaying a "CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING" sign MUST NOT be passed. Features like narrow lanes, marked by studs or temporary markings, require maintaining a safe distance and clearly seeing the lane edges. Contraflow systems involve narrower lanes with no permanent barrier to oncoming traffic, requiring drivers to slow down at the start and finish due to potential changes in road camber affecting stability.
• What should a driver do if their vehicle breaks down within a road works area? If a vehicle breaks down within road works, drivers should follow the general breakdown rules (Rules 275, 277, and 278) but be aware of the significant hazards in cone-marked areas. Where available and signed, drivers should try to move their vehicle into a dedicated road works refuge location. Signs will indicate where specific recovery services are provided.
• What are the key safety procedures when approaching and crossing a level crossing? When approaching a level crossing (where a road crosses a railway or tramway), drivers should proceed with care. They MUST never drive onto a crossing until the road is clear on the other side and should not get too close to the car in front. Stopping or parking on or near a crossing is forbidden. Drivers MUST obey safe height warning signs for overhead electric lines and should not continue if their vehicle touches any height barrier or bells. At controlled crossings with traffic light signals, drivers MUST always obey the flashing red stop lights and stop behind the white line. They should keep going if the amber light comes on after crossing the white line and MUST NOT reverse onto or over a controlled crossing. Waiting is required if red lights continue to flash after a train passes, indicating another train is approaching. Crossing is only permitted when lights go off and barriers open. Zig-zagging around half-barriers is forbidden as they lower automatically for an approaching train. At crossings without barriers but with lights, the lights showing indicate an approaching train.
• What should drivers of large, slow, or long vehicles do at level crossings with railway telephones? Drivers of large or slow-moving vehicles, or long, low vehicles with a risk of grounding, or those herding animals, should be aware that a train could arrive before they are clear of the crossing. They MUST obey any sign instructing them to use the railway telephone to obtain permission to cross and MUST also telephone when clear of the crossing if requested.
• What are the rules and procedures for user-operated gates or barriers at level crossings? Some level crossings have "Stop" signs and small red and green lights with user-operated gates or barriers. Drivers MUST NOT cross when the red light is showing and should only cross if the green light is on. When crossing with a vehicle, drivers should open the gates or barriers on both sides, check the green light is still on and cross quickly, then close the gates or barriers when clear of the crossing. If there are no lights, drivers should follow the same procedure: stop, look both ways, listen, and ensure no train is coming before crossing. If a railway telephone is present, it should always be used to contact the signal operator for safety confirmation before and after crossing.
• What precautions should be taken when driving near or crossing tramways? Drivers MUST NOT enter roads, lanes, or routes reserved for trams. Extra care is needed where trams run along the road, and drivers should avoid driving directly on the rails and be cautious where trams leave the main carriageway for reserved routes. Tram lanes are often indicated by white lines, yellow dots, or a different road surface. Drivers MUST NOT park where they would obstruct trams or force other drivers to do so. Stopping on any part of a tram track is prohibited, except in designated bays clear of the track. Trams cannot steer around obstructions. At tram stops with platforms, drivers MUST follow the route shown by signs and markings. At stops without platforms, drivers MUST NOT drive between a tram and the left-hand kerb when a tram has stopped to pick up passengers. Unless an alternative route is signed, drivers should not overtake a stopped tram but wait for it to move off. Priority should always be given to trams, especially when they signal to pull away from stops, unless it is unsafe to do so. Drivers should also look out for pedestrians running to catch or alighting from trams.
• What specific hazards do tram tracks pose, particularly for cyclists and motorcyclists, and how should they be navigated? All road users, and especially cyclists and motorcyclists, need to take extra care when driving or riding close to or crossing tram tracks, particularly if the rails are wet. Particular care is needed when crossing the rails at shallow angles, on bends, and at junctions. The safest way to cross tracks is directly at right angles. Other road users should be aware that cyclists and motorcyclists may require more space to cross the tracks safely. Additionally, drivers must be aware of the height of overhead electric tramway wires, which are normally 5.8 metres above the carriageway but can be lower and indicated by height clearance markings. Drivers of vehicles with variable height equipment MUST ensure it is fully lowered and should contact local police or the tramway operator if in doubt about clearance.