Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
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Acknowledgements Cover design: Sally Ellis (Image: Thinkstock.com) Illustrations: Damian de Villers Page design and layout: Sally Ellis Publisher: Heather Hannaway
The publishers apologise for any errors or omissions, and would be grateful for information allowing them to be corrected.
It is illegal to photocopy any pages from this book without the written permission of the copyright holder
Shuter & Shooter Publishers (Pty) Ltd 110 CB Downes Road, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 3201 South Africa PO Box 61, Mkondeni 3212 South Africa www.shuters.com Copyright in print Shuter & Shooter Publishers (Pty) Ltd 2010 Copyright in text and artwork Clive Gibson and Gavin Hoole 2010 First edition 2012
ISBN 978-0-7960-4367-2 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. Printed by Intrepid Printers (Pty) Ltd, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal xxxx
Contents
Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 .............................................................. iv Vehicle controls ...................................... 1 The rules of the road .............................. 4 Defensive driving .................................. 19 Introduction to road signs ..................... 22 Regulatory signs................................... 25 Road surface markings ........................ 35 Trafc signals ....................................... 42 Warning signs....................................... 45 Guidance signs..................................... 54 The Learners Licence Test .................. 65 The Learners Licence Mock Test ........ 66 General motoring principles ................. 86
CHAPTER 2
Traffic lanes
You must stay in your lane unless you need to move into another lane to turn or exit a freeway, and it is safe to do so. Before changing lanes, check in the mirrors and blind spot and signal early enough to warn other road users that you are about to change lanes. Do not drive with the left set of wheels in one lane and the right set in another lane (called straddling the lane lines). Before steering into the next lane you must always make one nal check in the blind spot on the side to which you will be moving to ensure that it is still safe to change lanes.
Large vehicles
Because of the length of large vehicles, visibility behind them is restricted. If you cant see the side mirrors on the heavy vehicle in front of you, the driver cant see you and consequently cant make allowances for you. Here are some useful tips for when you encounter a large vehicle on the road. Dont follow large vehicles too closely or for too long. You may become too relaxed and lose your concentration. When overtaking a large or long vehicle, make allowances for the extra time that it takes to overtake, and make sure that you wont have to reduce speed suddenly once you have completed the manoeuvre. At 80 km/h it takes a large vehicle 100 m to come to a stop. Dont be in its way. If your vehicle has enough power, it is usually easier to overtake large vehicles on an incline as their speed drops when travelling uphill. After overtaking a large vehicle make sure that you can see the vehicle in your rear-view mirror before you return to your lane or the left side of the road. When passing an approaching large vehicle, keep as far to the left as possible to reduce the risk of being side-swiped and to avoid the blast from the resultant wind turbulence. Large vehicles need more space than normal when turning left or right. They need to turn much wider than a light motor vehicle, and the trailers usually cut the corner. So, make space for a large vehicle that is turning to ensure that your own vehicle is not side-swiped as the large vehicle makes the turn.
One-way roads
On a one-way road you may drive on the right-hand side of the road, but only if it is safe to do so. When intending to turn right from a one-way road, move to the right-hand side of the road to allow other trafc to pass on your left.
Command sign indicating a Roundabout type of trafc circle Before the Roundabout sign was introduced in South Africa, these trafc circles were indicated by the Yield at Trafc Circle sign, which looks similar to the Yield at Mini-circle sign. So, dont be surprised if you approach a Roundabout circle and it doesnt have the Roundabout sign displayed, but still has the Yield at Trafc Circle sign instead.
Yield at Mini-circle sign, at a Mini-circle type of trafc circle Some roundabouts still have the Yield at Trafc Circle sign displayed, which is similar to the sign above.
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Traffic circles
Roundabout rules The Command sign indicates that you must drive in a clockwise direction round the island. You must yield right of way to all trafc already in the circle approaching from the right, unless there is a road sign or a trafc ofcer instructing otherwise. Move into the correct lane before leaving the circle. Before the road at which you intend exiting, indicate left to show your intention to leave the circle at the next exit.
Roundabout Command sign
Mini-circle rules At a mini-circle, you must give way to any vehicle that will cross, or that has already crossed, a Yield-line before you reached your Yield line. Drive clockwise around the centre painted island hump and do not drive over the painted marking.
Yield at Mini-circle sign Mini-circle painted markings
Turning at an intersection
An intersection is the place at which two or more roads intersect or cross one another. Turn only when you can do so without obstructing or endangering other trafc. Before you reach the intersection, move into the correct lane in accordance with any white markings that indicate mandatory direction arrows ahead, and obey any yellow mandatory direction arrows markings. When intending to turn left, you must indicate your intention in good time and keep as close as possible to the left side of the road before turning. After completing a turn, adjust your speed to merge safely into the trafc ow. When intending to turn right, you must indicate your intention in good time and keep as close as possible to the right-hand section of your side of the road. Yield right of way to any trafc approaching from ahead and start the turn only once it is clear and safe to do so. When waiting to turn right, keep front wheels of the vehicle straight until it is safe to start turning. Before turning right into a two-way road, cross the centre line of the road you are turning into so that you turn into the left-hand side of that road (not applicable when turning into a one-way road). You must pass to the left of any trafc island or trafc ofcer controlling the intersection; and do not cut the corner by turning too soon.
Glance at your speedometer frequently; know at all times the exact speed you are travelling.
Stopping
Compulsory stops You must stop: if directed to do so by a trafc ofcer, road sign or trafc signal; at the request of a person herding farm animals; for pedestrians on, or about to enter, a pedestrian crossing on your side of the road; if you are involved in an accident.
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with the outer edge of the kerbside wheel more than 450 mm into the roadway, unless permitted by a road sign; on, or within 1 metre of, the edge of a non-urban roadway, unless in a demarcated parking bay; on an urban road that is less than 5.5 metres wide, unless it is a one-way road; on a trafc island, or in a pedestrian mall or lane; A vehicle that is illegally parked can be impounded and the owner is liable for the costs of removal and impounding. Emergency vehicles, rescue vehicles, construction vehicles and trafc ofcers are not subject to these rules if they are being used in the course of duty.
Freeways
Whats not allowed on freeways The following vehicles are not allowed on freeways: animal-drawn vehicles; bicycles; motorcycles with an engine capacity of 50 cm3 or less; electrically powered motorcycles; vehicles with a mass of 230 kg or less, designed and constructed specically for use by people with disabilities; motor tri-cycles or quad-bikes; tractors, unless in use for road maintenance. Pedestrians are not allowed on freeways unless they are in an area specically demarcated for stopping or parking; or for a cause beyond their control. Animals are not allowed on a freeway, except inside a vehicle or within an area specically demarcated for stopping or parking. You may not stop on a freeway except: when instructed to do so by a trafc ofcer or a road sign; or if you are within an area specically demarcated for stopping or parking; or for a cause beyond your control. Hand signals may not be given on a freeway, except in an emergency. These restrictions do not apply to maintenance workers, emergency crews, construction workers and ofcials in the course of duty.
Learner drivers on freeways A learner driver is allowed to drive on a freeway provided s/he are accompanied by a driver who is licenced to drive that class of vehicle and is seated in the front passenger seat. Allowing vehicles to overtake you on a freeway If the motorist behind you indicates his desire to overtake by ashing the headlights, you must signal your intention and move over to the left to enable them to pass, provided it is safe to do so.
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CHAPTER 4
Temporary signs
Many regulatory and warning signs have both a permanent version and a temporary version. The temporary version is used when the situation is of a temporary nature, such as where road works are in progress or during dangerous road conditions caused by ooding, and such like. Temporary signs: have a yellow background colour to draw attention to the temporary situation; may have red or black borders; take precedence over a permanent sign.
Permanent Signs
Temporary Signs
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Sign groupings
Signs, signals and surface markings have different shapes and come in different groups. Each group conveys a different type of message or instruction. The next table shows examples of sign groups and the purpose of each group:
Group Regulatory signs Examples Purpose Regulate the movement of trafc
Warning signs
Warn of hazards ahead, on or near the road Mark the position of hazards on the road or roadside Control trafc ow
Hazard markers
Trafc signals
Information signs
Provide useful information Give guidance regarding distance and direction Provide useful information to tourists Indicate changes to the lanes on the road ahead Have the same meaning as normal sign equivalents
Guidance signs
Tourism signs
Diagrammatic signs
Surface markings
All road signs, signals and road surface painted markings are important. However, some groups play a greater role in maintaining safety on the roads. The two most important groups of signs/signals/markings are the Regulatory group and the Warning group. You must obey every Regulatory sign. Failure to do so is a criminal offence. You must heed every warning sign. Failure to do so may be considered to be reckless or negligent driving which is a criminal offence. The signs in each group are explained in more detail in the chapters that follow.
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CHAPTER 5
REGULATORY SIGNS
About regulatory signs
Regulatory signs control and regulate the ow and movement of trafc in order to minimize congestion and create a safer situation for all road users. Each regulatory sign conveys a very specic instruction or set of rules that must be obeyed by all road users, including pedestrians. These signs are mostly round or rectangular in shape with the exception of the Stop and Yield signs which are hexagonal and triangular respectively. The round signs include blue Command signs that tell you what a road user must do, and red and white Prohibition signs that tell you what you may not do. Within the Prohibitions signs category there are also Limit signs (see second row of round signs) which prohibit you from exceeding the limit indicated on the sign for example, the maximum speed limit, the maximum vehicle length limit. As with other signs, regulatory signs that govern a temporary situation have a yellow background (with a few exceptions, such as the Stop sign). To disobey a regulatory sign is an offence and is punishable by law. Not obeying a regulatory sign (or regulatory road surface marking) will result in a trafc ne or even a jail sentence if you are convicted. Control signs that regulate the ow of trafc:
MEANING Stop Stop opposite the sign or before the solid white line on the road surface. Stop/Go Stop when the Stop sign is displayed. You may proceed when the sign is swung round to display the Go sign. 3-Way Stop Vehicles must stop normally and move off from their Stop line in the same sequence in which they arrived. RESPONSE Stop completely. Make sure that it is safe to proceed before doing so. Stop completely and wait for the Go sign to be displayed before proceeding cautiously. LOCATION EXAMPLES Dangerous intersections and railway crossings.
Make sure you can see the road situation ahead, and that you can be seen by other road users.
Stop. Proceed in sequence after other vehicles that stopped before you have moved off.
4-Way Stop Vehicles must stop normally and move off from their Stop line in the same sequence in which they arrived.
Stop. Proceed in sequence after other vehicles that stopped before you have moved off.
REGULATORY SIGNS
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Prohibition signs specify that a limit applies Meaning A safety or security restriction applies beyond the sign. Response By law, you must comply with the limit indicated on the sign. Location On a portion of the road where it is necessary to impose the limit for example, due to road width, road surface strength or busy trafc.
Maximum Maximum axle vehicle mass mass-load limit permitted limit permitted
No pedestrians permitted
No motorcycles permitted
No taxis permitted
No mini-buses permitted
No midi-buses permitted
No buses permitted
No rickshaws permitted
Avoid heavy meals or alcoholic beverages before you drive as they tend to make one sleepy.
REGULATORY SIGNS
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Activity
Instructions 1. View the signs in the next two charts. 2. Read the text explanations set out below the charts. 3. Match the number below each sign to the text explanation. 4. Write that number into the box on the right of your chosen explanation. 5. Compare your answers with the answers shown in the table after each quiz.
3 4
10
11
12
13
14
Choose the correct sign number and write it in the box at the end of the sentence. 1. Reserved for the exclusive use of ambulances. 2. Reserved for the exclusive use of taxis. 3. Lane reserved for the exclusive use of buses and mini-buses. 4. Parking reserved for the exclusive use of buses and mini-buses. 5. Parking reserved for rickshaws only. 6. Lane on the right of the yellow line reserved for the exclusive use of high-occupancy vehicles. 7. Reserved for motor cars only. 8. Start of a lane reserved for the exclusive use of buses and mini-buses. 9. Reserved for motorcycles only. 10. Reserved for vehicles carrying people with disabilities. 11. Bus stop reserved for mini-buses of the owner as indicated in the logo above the icon. 12. Roadway reserved for the exclusive use of mini-buses. 13. Reserved for the exclusive use of highoccupancy vehicles. 14. Lane on the right reserved for the exclusive use of buses and mini-buses.
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REGULATORY SIGNS
CHAPTER 6
Regulatory markings
Regulatory markings are used to control the actions of drivers and regulate the ow of trafc. As with regulatory signs, it is an offence to disobey any regulatory road marking. If you do so, you can be ned. In the diagrams that follow, the direction of vehicle trafc ow is depicted by the small black arrowheads.
Stop line Stop completely, before the solid Stop line. Move off only when safe to do so.
Yield line Slow down and give way to cross-trafc, and also to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross your path. If necessary, stop before the broken white Yield line. Applies also at a railway crossing.
Pedestrian crossing Give way to any pedestrians on or about to enter the crossing on your side of the road.
Block pedestrian crossing Give way to any pedestrians on or about to enter the crossing on your side of the road.
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CHAPTER 7
TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Traffic signals
Trafc signals control the ow of trafc. Some of them are to warn motorists to proceed with caution. There are different forms of trafc signals: 1. trafc lights (robots) to regulate the ow of trafc at intersections or pedestrian crossings; 2. ashing red lights to indicate that motorists must stop (for example, at a railway crossing); 3. overhead lane direction control lights to control the trafc ow in trafc lanes; 4. hand signals given by trafc ofcers, and 5. ag signals given by road construction workers. Trafc signals must be obeyed, and the signals of trafc ofcers overrule any road signs or other signals that may be present.
Steady red disc Stop before the white Stop line and wait for the green light before proceeding with caution.
Flashing red disc Stop as for a 4-Way Stop and give way to pedestrians.
Steady amber disc Prepare to stop before the white Stop line and wait for the green light before proceeding with caution.
Flashing amber disc Proceed with caution, and give way to any pedestrians crossing your path.
Steady green disc Proceed in any direction, subject to any road signs, and give way to trafc and pedestrians still crossing.
Steady bus/ tram The steady disc rules apply only to the class of vehicle shown by the symbol on the disc.
Steady red man Pedestrians must wait on the sidewalk and may cross only when the green man light is displayed.
Saying I didnt know is no excuse. Know and obey the rules and road signs.
Flashing red man The steady red man is about to be displayed. Pedestrians must wait for the next steady green man signal before starting to cross. Those still in the crossing should cross quickly.
Steady green man Pedestrians may cross the road within the markings. Drivers must give way to pedestrians crossing within the markings.
Flashing red arrow Stop before the white line. You may proceed left even though there is a steady red disc signal, but give way to all vehicles and pedestrians for whom a green light signal is displayed.
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TRAFFIC SIGNALS
If possible, avoid driving during the late afternoon hours or early dusk.
Dangerous conditions ahead that relate to the nature of the road Slow down if necessary and take appropriate cautionary measures such as: switching on lights, increasing following distance in mist or on gravel roads, testing the brakes after driving through water, taking an alternative route, etc., according the nature of the hazard as depicted on the sign.
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WARNING SIGNS
Activity
1. Explain the difference in meaning between these two types of warning signs those with an arrowhead and those with plain black lines.
3. Would you be required to stop at such a sign as this? Give a reason for your answer.
4. Is there a difference in meaning between these signs A and B? Explain your answer.
5. Where would each of these two signs be located? (Be careful with your answer.)
6. Would you respond differently to each of these two signs? Give your reasons.
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WARNING SIGNS
CHAPTER 10
You must always have your learners licence with you when you are learning to drive.
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CHAPTER 11
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CHAPTER 12
Before driving
Use a map to plan your route for a smooth journey, and provide enough time for the journey; resist the impulse to travel too fast. For a long journey, add extra time into your plans to allow for a 15-minute break every two hours. Make sure you have enough fuel for the journey. Wear appropriate clothing that does not interfere with your control of the vehicle. If you will be driving a vehicle different from the one you are familiar with, before setting out ensure that you are familiar with its controls and how they work. Before you move off, adjust the mirrors and the seat position to ensure full control, comfort and maximum vision. Adjust the head restraint to protect your neck from injury in the event of a collision.
Seat belts
Make sure that all passengers are strapped in before moving off. Remember, if they are not, you are the one who will be held responsible.
Children
Do not allow children to sit behind the rear seat of an estate car or hatchback unless in a specially fitted child seat. Do not allow a child to stand next to you on the front passenger seat. Activate child safety door locks, if fitted, when carrying children. Keep children under control, and dont allow boisterous behaviour in the vehicle. Never fit a rear-facing baby seat on a seat protected by an airbag.
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ALL THE RULES OF THE ROAD EXPLAINED The rules that must be obeyed when using public roads Covers light and heavy motor vehicles and also motorcycles
REGULATORY SIGNS & ROAD MARKINGS Signs that regulate the safe flow of trac What each sign means; in what situation you would see the sign; how you must respond as a driver WARNING SIGNS & ROAD MARKINGS Signs that warn of hazards on the road What each sign means; in what situation you would encounter the sign; what safety precautions the driver should take GUIDANCE SIGNS & ROAD MARKINGS Signs that indicate the road layout ahead What each sign means and how it can help to guide the driver to plan which lane to use
GUIDANCE AND TOURISM SIGNS Signs that guide motorists on their journey What the dierent kinds of guidance signs indicate, and how to interpret their messages; includes direction and tourism signs INFORMATION SIGNS & ROAD MARKINGS Signs that provide useful information What each sign means and what it implies for the driver
DRIVING TIPS Additional information to reinforce your understanding Includes revision of some of the important rules of the road
ISBN 978-0-7960-4367-2
780796 043672