100. ABS. The presence of an anti-lock braking system should not cause you to alter the way you brake from that indicated in Rule 97. However in the case of an emergency, apply the footbrake rapidly and firmly; do not release the pressure until the vehicle has slowed to the desired speed. The ABS should ensure that steering control will be retained.

101. Brakes affected by water. If you have driven through deep water your brakes may be less effective. Test them at the first safe opportunity by pushing gently on the brake pedal to make sure that they work. If they are not fully effective, gently apply light pressure while driving slowly. This will help to dry them out.

102. Coasting. This term describes a vehicle travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down. Do not coast, whatever the driving conditions. It reduces driver control because

• engine braking is eliminated
• vehicle speed downhill will increase quickly
• increased use of the footbrake can reduce its effectiveness
• steering response will be affected particularly on bends and corners
• it may be more difficult to select the appropriate gear when needed.

Speed limits
103. You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle (see the table below). Street lights usually mean that there is a 30 mph speed limit unless there are signs showing another limit.
Law RTRA sects 81,86,89 & sch 6

Speed Limits:

1. Cars and motorcycles (including car derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight) -

1. Built up area: 30
2. Single carriageways: 60
3. Dual carriageways: 70
4. Motorways: 70

2. Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car derived vans and motorcycles)

• Built up area: 30
• Single carriageways: 50
• Dual carriageways: 60
• Motorways: 60

3. Buses and coaches (not exceeding 12 metres in overall length)

• Built up area: 30
• Single carriageways: 50
• Dual carriageways: 60
• Motorways: 70

4. Goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight)

• Built up area: 30
• Single carriageways: 50
• Dual carriageways: 60
• Motorways: 70 ( 60 if articulated or towing a trailer) 

5. Goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight)

• Built up area: 30
• Single carriageways: 40
• Dual carriageways: 50
• Motorways: 60

These are the national speed limits and apply to all roads unless signs show otherwise.

The 30 mph limit applies to all traffic on all roads in England and Wales (only Class C and unclassified roads in Scotland) with street lighting unless signs show otherwise).

104. The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions. Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions can be dangerous. You should always reduce your speed when

• the road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends
• sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, particularly children, and motorcyclists
• weather conditions make it safer to do so
• driving at night as it is harder to see other road users.

Stopping distances
105. Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. You should

• leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance (see Typical Stopping Distances below)
• allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying fast traffic. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads
• remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop.

Use a fixed point to help measure a two second gap

Typical Stopping Distances:

20 MPH - 6 metres (thinking) + 6 metres (braking) = 12 metres (40 feet) or 3 car lengths

30 MPH - 9 metres (thinking) + 14 metres (braking) = 23 metres (75 feet) or 6 car lengths

40 MPH - 12 metres (thinking) + 24 metres (braking) = 36 metres (120 feet) or 9 car lengths

50 MPH - 15 metres (thinking) + 38 metres (braking) = 53 metres (175 feet) or 13 car lengths

60 MPH - 18 metres (thinking) + 55 metres (braking) = 73 metres (240 feet) or 18 car lengths

70 MPH - 21 metres (thinking) + 75 metres (braking) = 96 metres (315 feet) or 24 car lengths

Average car length = 4 metres.

106. A broken white line. This marks the centre of the road. When this line lengthens and the gaps shorten, it means that there is a hazard ahead. Do not cross it unless you can see the road is clear well ahead and wish to overtake or turn off.

107. Double white lines where the line nearest to you is broken. This means you may cross the lines to overtake if it is safe, provided you can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid white line on your side. White arrows on the road indicate when you need to get back onto your side of the road.

108. Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10mph or less.
Laws RTA sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 26

109. Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.

• If the area is bordered by a solid white line, you should not enter it except in an emergency.
• If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
• If the area is on a motorway and consists of a triangle bounded by continuous white lines marked by chevrons, you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.

Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5, 9,& 10 & MT(S)R regs 4, 8 & 9

110. Lane dividers. These are short broken white lines which are used on wide carriageways to divide them into lanes. You should keep between them.

111. Reflective road studs may be used with white lines.

• White studs mark the lanes or the middle of the road.
• Red studs mark the left edge of the road.
• Amber studs mark the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway.
• Green studs mark the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys, side roads and slip roads.

Multi-lane carriageways
Lane discipline
112. If you need to change lane, first use your mirrors and check your blind spots (the areas you are unable to see in the mirrors) to make sure you will not force another driver or rider to swerve or slow down. When it is safe to do so, signal to indicate your intentions to other road users and when clear move over.

113. You should follow the signs and road markings and get into lane as directed. In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily.

Single carriageway
114. Where a single carriageway has three lanes and the road markings or signs do not give priority to traffic in either direction

• use the middle lane only for overtaking or turning right. Remember, you have no more right to use the middle lane than a driver coming from the opposite direction
• do not use the right-hand lane.

115. Where a single carriageway has four or more lanes, use only the lanes that signs or markings indicate.

Dual carriageway
116. On a two-lane dual carriageway you should stay in the left-hand lane. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right. If you use it for overtaking move back to the left-hand lane when it is safe to do so.

117. On a three-lane dual carriageway, you may use the middle lane or the right-hand lane to overtake but return to the middle and then the left-hand lane when it is safe.

118. Climbing and crawler lanes. These are provided on some hills. Use this lane if you are driving a slow moving vehicle or if there are vehicles behind you wishing to overtake.

119. Cycle lanes. These are shown by road markings and signs. You MUST NOT drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation. Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable. You MUST NOT park in any cycle lane whilst waiting restrictions apply.
Law RTRA sects 5 & 8

120. Bus and tram lanes. These are shown by road markings and signs. You MUST NOT drive or stop in a tram lane or in a bus lane during its period of operation unless the signs indicate you may do so.
Law RTRA sects 5 & 8

121. One-way streets. Traffic MUST travel in the direction indicated by signs. Buses and/or cycles may have a contraflow lane. Choose the correct lane for your exit as soon as you can. Do not change lanes suddenly. Unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise, you should use

• the left-hand lane when going left
• the right-hand lane when going right
• the most appropriate lane when going straight ahead.

Remember - traffic could be passing on both sides.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & RTRA sects 5 & 8

General advice
122. You MUST NOT

• drive dangerously
• drive without due care and attention
• drive without reasonable consideration for other road users.

Law RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3 as amended by RTA 1991

123. You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & RTA sect 34

124. Adapt your driving to the appropriate type and condition of road you are on. In particular

• do not treat speed limits as a target. It is often not appropriate or safe to drive at the maximum speed limit
• take the road and traffic conditions into account. Be prepared for unexpected or difficult situations, for example, the road being blocked beyond a blind bend. Be prepared to adjust your speed as a precaution
• where there are junctions, be prepared for vehicles emerging
• in side roads and country lanes look out for unmarked junctions where nobody has priority
• try to anticipate what pedestrians and cyclists might do. If pedestrians, particularly children, are looking the other way, they may step out into the road without seeing you.

125. Be considerate. Be careful of and considerate towards other road users. You should

• try to be understanding if other drivers cause problems; they may be inexperienced or not know the area well
• be patient; remember that anyone can make a mistake
• not allow yourself to become agitated or involved if someone is behaving badly on the road. This will only make the situation worse. Pull over, calm down and, when you feel relaxed, continue your journey
• slow down and hold back if a vehicle pulls out into your path at a junction. Allow it to get clear. Do not over-react by driving too close behind it.

126. Safe driving needs concentration. Avoid distractions when driving such as

• loud music (this may mask other sounds)
• trying to read maps
• inserting a cassette or CD or tuning a radio
• arguing with your passengers or other road users
• eating and drinking.

Mobile phones and in-car technology
127. You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Never use a hand held mobile phone or microphone when driving. Using hands free equipment is also likely to distract your attention from the road. It is far safer not to use any telephone while you are driving - find a safe place to stop first.
Laws RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3 & CUR reg 104

128. There is a danger of driver distraction being caused by in-vehicle systems such as route guidance and navigation systems, congestion warning systems, PCs, multi-media, etc. Do not operate, adjust or view any such system if it will distract your attention while you are driving; you MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. If necessary find a safe place to stop first.
Laws RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3 & CUR reg 104

129. You should

• reduce the distance between you and the vehicle ahead to maintain traffic flow
• never get so close to the vehicle in front that you cannot stop safely
• leave enough space to be able to manoeuvre if the vehicle in front breaks down or an emergency vehicle needs to get past
• not change lanes to the left to overtake
• allow access into and from side roads, as blocking these will add to congestion.

Do not block access to a side road

130. Narrow residential streets. You should drive slowly and carefully on streets where there are likely to be pedestrians, cyclists and parked cars. In some areas a 20 mph maximum speed limit may be in force. Look out for

• vehicles emerging from junctions
• vehicles moving off
• car doors opening
• pedestrians
• children running out from between parked cars
• cyclists and motorcyclists.

131. Traffic calming measures. On some roads there are features such as road humps, chicanes and narrowings which are intended to slow you down. When you approach these features reduce your speed. Allow cyclists and motorcyclists room to pass through them. Maintain a reduced speed along the whole of the stretch of road within the calming measures. Give way to oncoming traffic if directed to do so by signs. You should not overtake other moving vehicles whilst in these areas.

Chicanes may be used to slow traffic down

Country roads
132. Take extra care on country roads and reduce your speed at approaches to bends, which can be sharper than they appear, and at minor junctions and turnings, which may be partially hidden. Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists walking or riding in the road. You should also reduce your speed where country roads enter villages.

133. Single-track roads. These are only wide enough for one vehicle. They may have special passing places. If you see a vehicle coming towards you, or the driver behind wants to overtake, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right. Give way to vehicles coming uphill whenever you can. If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place to let the other vehicle pass.

134. Do not park in passing places.