HIGHWAY CODE part 14 Rules 149-158

May 22, 2020

Rules  149-158
Part 6
Signals, stopping procedures, lighting, control of the vehicle, speed limits, stopping distances, lines and lane markings and multi-lane carriageways, smoking, mobile phones and sat nav.

The highway code is a must read if you wish to have a driving licence, Keep a eye out on our blogs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we aim to cover the whole of the UK Highway code.

The highway code can be bought in shops and online, as well as a free version on the UK goverments website, click here to access the free to use highway code.

And for people wanting a more visual highway code or those who struggle with the technical talk, the Colour Book Academy offer a great new highway code, that allows you to colour in but every rule of the highway code is explained with diagrams and scenario's for each and every rule, this is a great resource for those wanting something abit more fun with learning. Click here to order yours today.

Mobile phones and in-vehicle technology

Rule 149

You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. You MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop. Never use a hand-held 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 or riding - find a safe place to stop first or use the voicemail facility and listen to messages later.

You may park your vehicle using a hand-held remote control app or device. The app or device MUST be legal, and you should not put other people in danger when you use it.

Laws RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3, & CUR regs 104 & 110

Rule 150

There is a danger of driver distraction being caused by in-vehicle systems such as satellite navigation systems, congestion warning systems, PCs, multi-media, etc. You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Do not rely on driver assistance systems such as motorway assist, lane departure warnings, or remote control parking. They are available to assist but you should not reduce your concentration levels. Do not be distracted by maps or screen-based information (such as navigation or vehicle management systems) while driving or riding. If necessary find a safe place to stop.

As the driver, you are still responsible for the vehicle if you use a driver assistance system (like motorway assist). This is also the case if you use a hand-held remote control parking app or device. You MUST have full control over these systems at all times.

Laws RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3, & CUR reg 104 & 110

Rule 151

In slow-moving traffic. 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
  •     be aware of cyclists and motorcyclists who may be passing on either side.


Rule 151

Do not block access to a side road
Rule 151: Driving in built-up areas

Rule 152
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 (32 km/h) maximum speed limit may be in force. Look out for

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

Rule 153
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 road users if directed to do so by signs. You should not overtake other moving road users while in these areas.
Rule 153: Chicanes may be used to slow traffic down   image

Country roads

Rule 154
Take extra care on country roads and reduce your speed at approaches to bends, which can be sharper than they appear, and at junctions and turnings, which may be partially hidden. Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, slow-moving farm vehicles or mud on the road surface. Make sure you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. You should also reduce your speed where country roads enter villages.

Rule 155
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 road users coming uphill whenever you can. If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place to let the other vehicle pass. Slow down when passing pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

Rule 156
Do not park in passing places.

Vehicles prohibited from using roads and pavements

Rule 157
Certain motorised vehicles do not meet the construction and technical requirements for road vehicles and are generally not intended, not suitable and not legal for road, pavement, footpath, cycle path or bridleway use. These include most types of miniature motorcycles, also called mini motos, and motorised scooters, also called go peds, which are powered by electric or internal combustion engines. These types of vehicle MUST NOT be used on roads, pavements, footpaths or bridleways.

Laws RTA 1988 sects 34, 41a, 42, 47, 63 & 66, HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A sect 129

Rule 158
Certain models of motorcycles, motor tricycles and quadricycles, also called quad bikes, are suitable only for off-road use and do not meet legal standards for use on roads. Vehicles that do not meet these standards MUST NOT be used on roads. They MUST NOT be used on pavements, footpaths, cycle paths or bridleways either. You MUST make sure that any motorcycle, motor tricycle, quadricycle or any other motor vehicle meets legal standards and is properly registered, taxed and insured before using it on the roads. Even when registered, taxed and insured for the road, vehicles MUST NOT be used on pavements.

Laws RTA 1988 sects 34, 41a, 42, 47, 63, 66 & 156, HA 1835 sect 72, R(S)A sect 129, & VERA sects 1, 29, 31A & 43A

Check back Monday for our next part in our series.

The highway code printed is from the uk goverment website and under its open goverment licence, allows anyone to copy and share the code.
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