Traffic in modern streets is becoming more and more intensive every day. The number of vehicles is growing, therefore it becomes more difficult to control traffic on roads and intersections. In order to avoid emergency situations, there are special rules for traffic regulation. They explain how to drive through streets and intersections to avoid collisions. Law enforcement agencies must control the movement. In addition, different devices and signs are used to indicate the priority of certain vehicles.
Traffic control
In order to achieve maximum safety on city and rural streets, a whole system of restrictions has been developed for transport and pedestrians. Regulation is carried out using the following devices:
- markups;
- traffic lights;
- road signs;
- additional equipment.
When a traffic light fails, its functions are performed by the traffic controller. Currently, this method is rarely used, but all drivers must know what the signals mean and how to decrypt them. Knowing how traffic regulation is carried out, it is easier to interpret the meaning and priority of signs.
Traffic lights
This device appeared on Russian streets in the early twentieth century, when the traffic controller could not cope. Initially, the green signal was placed on top, but then decided that the prohibitory red color is more important for drivers and pedestrians. In 1968, the Convention on Road Signs officially registered this rule. Now such a system is accepted around the world.
Traffic lights are now turned on automatically. Devices showing the operating time of a red or green signal have become very widespread. The duration of this period depends on the traffic intersection. Modern programs allow you to perform statistical analysis, on the basis of which it will be found out how busy the road is, how much time it takes for the cars to drive through the intersection of streets.
There are different types of traffic lights: they can consist of two or three lights, arranged horizontally, vertically, and have additional sections. Traffic lights with a vertical arrangement of signals and with three compartments are the most common. Despite the simple design, they are multifunctional. With the help of these means of traffic control, the passage of complex and simple intersections, crossings, intersections with pedestrian crossings is controlled.
Depending on the purpose of the traffic lights, along with the traditional red, yellow, green signals, images of pedestrians or arrows indicating the direction of movement are used. Additional sections with signs are used at more complex intersections. Sometimes, instead of yellow and red arrows, round signals of the same color are depicted, on which contour black arrows are applied.
A traffic light simultaneously performs the function of allowing, warning and restricting movement. With a blinking signal, the driver must stop the vehicle if it is driving in a green light. An exception is the case when it is necessary to complete an already begun maneuver. Driving to a prohibitory traffic signal is punishable by a fine.
For pedestrians and cyclists, special devices with two sections are installed. They depict one or another type of movement. In the areas where these crossings are located, an additional triangular warning sign with a pedestrian or cyclist is installed. The same picture is applied to the traffic lights themselves. In those areas where blind pedestrians can cross the road, a special sound signal is added. A traffic light from one section with a constantly flashing yellow or orange light is used to indicate the crossing point of pedestrians.
In order to regulate traffic in different lanes, reverse traffic lights are used. The red signal on them has an X-shape, and the green one depicts an arrow pointing down. These signs permit or prohibit travel on one part of the road. The driver must watch carefully when the green or red light comes on for the strip in which he is moving.
The regulation of the movement of fixed-route vehicles, such as trams, is carried out using a single-color traffic light. There are four white signals on it. This traffic light has a T-shaped structure, that is, there are three signals in a row on top and one in the bottom in the middle. Movement is allowed if the lower and one / several upper ones are turned on. When the three upper lights in a single row light up, movement is prohibited.
At a railway crossing, the movement of vehicles is controlled by a semaphore. A flashing white light allows passage through the railway. If red and white flashes alternately, you should stop and wait until the train passes.
Traffic Signals
In some cases, if repair work is performed or an accident occurs, on the roadway where the traffic light does not work, additional traffic control is required. The traffic controller helps not only clear the road from accumulated vehicles, but also assess the situation that arose on the roadway. Typically, these duties are performed by a traffic police officer.
All gestures are performed using a special wand with a red disk, which has reflective properties. This is necessary to make it easier to regulate traffic in the dark.
The signals of the traffic controller have a certain meaning. Every driver should know what these signs mean in order not to provoke a traffic jam. There are several signals that will help you pass the intersection:
- Hands are lowered or extended forward, which means that from the right and left side rail vehicles can go straight and to the right, the tram is allowed to travel in a straight line. All vehicles that are on the back and chest should remain in place.
- The right hand is stretched out right in front of you - cars, buses and minibuses located on the left side can pass in any direction. Tram is allowed to go left. Vehicles located on the back and right side are prohibited. But pedestrians at this time can safely cross the road. Those standing on the chest side can turn right.
- The right hand is stretched up. All vehicles moving in any direction must remain in place.
If the traffic controller notices that the drivers do not understand him, he gives other signals that are understandable to others. If the vehicle is requested to stop, a loudspeaker or a special whistle may be used. This method is often used in order to attract the attention of road users.
Markup
Signs applied to the roadway with the help of a special paint resistant to destruction - this is the road marking. It can be horizontal and vertical. The horizontal type helps to regulate the traffic. These signs are lines, pointers, inscriptions in white or another color. The rules indicate that the marking, like road signs, restricts movement, prohibits overtaking, warns of widening / narrowing of the roadway.
Vertical signs also help to warn and orient road users. They are applied to the sides of fences, bridge racks and signal posts. Along with constant there is a temporary marking. The main purpose is to inform drivers and pedestrians about restrictions on the time of repair work on the road. Usually it is yellow or orange, so it is easy to distinguish it from constant marking.
Signs
Throughout the world, road signs have almost the same appearance, even abroad it will be easy to understand what these or those signs prescribe. They are necessary to warn road users of dangers and restrictions.
In addition to warning and prohibiting signs, there are others. These include:
- informational;
- priority;
- explaining;
- recommending.
The most common type is prohibition signs for traffic regulation. They have the shape of a circle with a red border around the edges. In the middle is depicted what is forbidden. For example, if the sign has an image of two cars moving side by side, then overtaking is prohibited here. Sometimes under the sign is an additional plate explaining the distance or period of validity of the sign.
Designations that warn of any danger are made in the form of triangles. They help determine the characteristic features of the roadway, and are located a few meters before the alleged obstacle. They can also be supplemented with explanatory signs. Priority helps determine the driving order on the roadway. They indicate the advantage of one direction or another. Like prohibition signs, they have a round shape with a red border.
Information signs provide information about what lies ahead after a few kilometers. For example, a square sign on a blue background with an image of a white bed informs the driver that he will soon reach the roadside hotel. The number of kilometers that must be reached to the target is indicated below. An information sign informing that after some distance you have to make a detour of the road looks like a yellow rectangle with a traffic pattern.
Temporary signs
In places where roadway repair work is being carried out, temporary signs have to be installed to regulate traffic. As well as this type of marking, they are designed to warn and protect pedestrians and drivers. Temporary signs differ from permanent ones with a bright yellow background on which this or that warning is depicted. Usually they are installed on special stands.
Additional devices
This category includes various types of road equipment, which is designed to control traffic on the roadway. For example, temporary fences, pedestals with vertical markings, columns are additionally used. They are used along with temporary markings, but sometimes these methods of traffic regulation work separately.
More important
Due to such a number of different designations, the driver may be asked "what is more important when driving on the roadway". Sometimes the signals of the traffic controller or traffic light contradict the road markings and other signs. The rules indicate that with such contradictions, you should pay attention only to the gestures of the traffic police officer.
If there is no traffic controller at the intersection, then the traffic light is a priority. Usually its signals for traffic regulation are combined with signs set next to it. However, in exceptional cases, when there is a contradiction, the driver should focus only on allowing or prohibiting light.
On the carriageway, where a traffic light is not installed, the main one is a permanent or temporary traffic sign. It should be noted that one that is installed temporarily takes precedence over permanent ones. It was set for the duration of the repair work and takes into account the specific conditions in force for a certain period of time.
Without the availability of previous traffic control methods, road marking takes effect. Here you must adhere to the same rule as with signs: temporary designations will be more important than permanent ones.
Traffic laws
The main goal of the state in the field of legal regulation of traffic is to ensure safety on various types of carriageways. This includes busy motorways and small rural roads. Various departments and ministries are working on this task. These include:
- Ministry of Transport;
- State Agency for Technical Regulation;
- Ministry of Emergencies;
- Ministry of Health and Social Development;
- a lot others.
In 2004, a special organization was established in our country that regulates the rules of traffic regulation. Her activities are under the control of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The organization included representatives of the executive branch from each subject of the Russian Federation. The movement of vehicles on roads of different values is controlled by the traffic police. The Ministry of Transport of Russia regulates and provides traffic according to technical standards. The federal agency is obliged to draw up a repair plan, find contractors who will repair the faulty roadbed.
The main regulatory document that provides legal regulation of traffic is Law No. 196. It was adopted in December 1995. It refers to the adoption of special measures to ensure the safety of all participants in the movement. The amendments were carried out in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2018. Every few years, the law is reviewed and amended. This is to ensure that the legitimate interests and rights of Russian citizens are protected.
The document describes what the regulation of traffic is intended for, and the response methods for accidents are stipulated. Also indicated are methods by which the actions of drivers and pedestrians are monitored.
The law establishes the main principles of public policy, spells out the basic terms intended for participants in the movement. The state takes care of comprehensive education in this area. All information on additions and amendments to the law becomes publicly known and distributed among citizens
As a regulatory document that defines the general order of traffic on the roads of Russia, the Rules of the road are used. The latest edition was carried out in December 2018. This was necessary in order to enter information on privileges for the disabled, to cancel some identification marks for cars and to tighten the situation for regular violators.
Another group of documents in the field of legal regulation of road safety is represented by state standards. They put forward various technical requirements needed to ensure road safety. These documents indicate the standards by which they must produce means for organizing and restricting movement: traffic lights, traffic signs, signals for adjustment, additional equipment. It also states that vehicles must be environmentally friendly, not harmful to human health and the environment.
Of great importance is such a document as the Convention on Road Traffic. It is the oldest normative act since it was concluded in 1968. The convention spells out what traffic regulation is intended for. The law contains terms and general provisions, lists the basic requirements for signs, markings, vehicles, stipulates the conditions for obtaining a driver’s license and the rules for using this document.
Conclusion
Currently, the number of cars on the roads of large and small cities is growing daily. This often leads to overloading of road systems. In such conditions, it is difficult to control the movement on the roadway, so the organization of traffic regulation is very important. All drivers must comply with the requirements stipulated in the rules. And then the situation on the roads of Russia will improve markedly.