stopping safely
by Sarah Ganderton
You may need to stop for the following reasons:
To make way for an emergency vehicle
To alter your seating position or mirrors
Or to carry out something that will distract your attention:
· using a mobile phone: since December 2003 it has been illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, and you could be fined up to £60 and gain three penalty points on your license
· lighting a cigarette could amount to careless driving: It is not the act but how the car is handled that is the offence. Dangerous driving is punishable with a fine of up to £5,000 and/or six months in prison
· reading a map whilst driving can be considered careless driving
· changing the CD in the stereo or tuning the car radio. Unlike mobiles, there is no such strict law about the use of car stereos, MP3 players, or any device which doesn't send or receive data electronically. But if a motorist's attention wanders, he or she could be guilty of "careless driving" - punishable with a fine of up to £2,500 and a mandatory endorsement of three to nine penalty points
· Eating and drinking can result in fixed penalties of £20 to £60 being given if the police consider the driver is "not in proper control of their vehicle"
If you need to pull over to do any of these things or for any other reason, do so safely. Find a safe place to stop, signal to other road users in plenty of time before stopping, and check in your mirrors to make sure the cars behind are not so close you will endanger them by slowing suddenly. When you are satisfied it is safe to do so, pull over to the side of the road so that you are not causing an obstruction to other road users.
These are the places where you cannot stop:
On a bend
In a bus lane or in a way that will force other road users across one or causing an obstruction to buses
A clearway marked by a red circle with a diagonal line across it and a blue background, during the times stated
In a controlled parking zone indicated by a sign: a red circle with a diagonal line across it and a blue background
On a pedestrian, pelican, zebra, toucan, puffin or equestrian crossing including the are marked by zig zag lines
Where the curb is lowered to allow disabled access
In a cycle lane or in a way that will force other road users across one or causing an obstruction to cyclists
Across a cycle track
Road marked with double white lines down the centre so other drivers will not be able to pass
Double yellow lines along roadside at any time
Anywhere that will prevent access for emergency vehicles
In front of the entrance to a property
Near the brow of a hill or hump backed bridge
Opposite or within 10 metres of a junction
On a level crossing or the approach to it
Carriageway, slip road, central reservation verge or hardshoulder on a motorway except when signalled to do so for a police car or highway agency officers in uniform, an emergency sign or flashing light signals
At night facing against the traffic flow
Opposite a parked vehicle if causing obstruction on the road
Wholly or partially on a pavement causing obstruction to pedestrians
On red lines along the roadside (most likely in London)
School entrance road markings: “school keep clear” written on the road with a white zig-zag line on either side
Single yellow line along roadside during times stated on nearby plates
In a taxi bay
On a tramline or in a way that will force other road users across one
Opposite a traffic island
References
The Official Highway Code, Revised 2007 Edition, Department for Transport
http://www.direct.gov.uk/highwaycode
www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/invehiclesafety/mobilephones
http://www.thepass.org/featuredcampaign.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4268495.stm
For more infomation please call us on (0800) 6128724
The Coopers Driving School Team
