ONE THING MOST DRIVERS TO DO WHEN IN STATIONARY TRAFFIC BUT IS AGAINST HIGHWAY CODE RULES

Getting stuck in traffic is a common occurrence for most drivers, particularly those living in congested towns and cities. Driving can often be more like a slow crawl as progress is painfully slow and a 10-minute trip turns into half an hour or more.

We all know there are certain rules we need to follow on the roads but there are also some surprises in the Highway Code which most drivers probably have no idea they should be doing in particular situations. One of these is when vehicles come to a standstill while in a queue of traffic.

It's a common sight to see brake lights up ahead when stuck in traffic, perhaps after an incident on the motorway or approaching a roundabout on a busy A-road. But, according to the Highway Code, you shouldn't see brake lights in this situation.

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That's because when stopped in stationary traffic, motorists should apply the handbrake and take their foot off the brake. This is as long as it's safe to do so and drivers should also use their common sense and make their best judgement.

The reason given is so drivers don't have to suffer the glare coming off brake lights in front of them. Despite this guidance, red brake lights are a common sight in stationary traffic, suggesting this is a little-known driving rule.

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Many motorists instead choose to keep their foot on the brake, expecting that they will soon be moving forwards and making progress again and so they don't have to keep taking the handbrake on and off. The Highway Code explains: "In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights.

"This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again."

2024-06-14T12:45:55Z dg43tfdfdgfd