When the lights fail, at a big event or after a crash, a traffic controller (a police officer) may stand at the junction. His signals are compulsory for everyone and are obeyed even if they contradict the lights, signs or markings (Articles 60.I, 60.V). The signals are drawn in Annex 2 of the law; the controller may also use a whistle (58.IV).
Three signals for everyone
| Signal | What it does |
|---|---|
| «Attention, stop» — arm raised | stops everyone; drivers and pedestrians already in the junction finish their movement |
| «Movement in a set direction» — arms out to the sides or lowered | from the left and right: trackless vehicles straight and right, trams straight; from the chest and back: stop; pedestrians cross on the chest and back sides |
| «Left turn» — right arm stretched forward | from the left: trackless vehicles in all directions, trams left; from the chest: right turn only; from the right and back: stop; pedestrians cross behind the back |
Right arm forward
Problem
The controller holds his right arm forward. You are approaching from his chest side and want to turn left. May you?
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Solution
No. At the «Left turn» signal vehicles from the chest side may only turn right (Article 58.II.1.v). Left, straight on and U-turns are open only to those coming from the controller’s left side.
Signals to a particular driver
- «Slow down» — the arm moves up and down: reduce speed in the permitted direction.
- «Speed up» — the arm makes circles: increase speed; pedestrians should cross faster.
- «Stop» — the baton points at a particular car: stop at the edge of the carriageway (Article 58.II.2). Stop where the controller shows (60.III).
Remember
- The controller’s signals override lights, signs and markings.
- Arm raised — everyone stops; those already in the junction finish.
- Arms to the sides or down — from the sides straight and right; from the chest and back stop.
- Right arm forward — from the left any way, from the chest only right, from the right and back stop.