I’m a driving instructor – these are the three simple road rules that everyone forgets

A DRIVING instructor has revealed the three road rules that drivers most commonly forget.

Given the variety of roads in the UK, it’s easy for motorists to forget certain things. Here we go through some rules to refresh your memory…

GettyA driving expert has shared his top driving tips[/caption]

To ensure best practice and safe driving at all times, Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driving has revealed the rules you should revise.

Box junctions and the turning right rule  

Most drivers know that they must not enter the yellow box until the exit road or lane is clear.

Similarly, at signalled roundabouts, drivers cannot enter the box unless they are able to cross over it without stopping. 

While most drivers are familiar with these rules, there is a lesser-known exception that people tend to forget: drivers are allowed to enter the box and wait there when their only obstruction to completing the turn is due to oncoming traffic.  

Junctions controlled by traffic lights  

Unsurprisingly, and in line with general traffic light guidance, it is only okay to continue past a white ‘stop’ line (a solid white line, wider than other road markings) if the light is green. 

Once the amber light appears, a driver should stop at the line and not proceed, unless stopping suddenly would cause a collision. 

The best advice is, as a driver approaches a green light, they should keep checking their mirror and anticipate that it is likely to change, therefore be ready to stop.  

Similarly, drivers should not move forward over the white line whilst a red light is showing, even if attempting to create a route for an ambulance or other blue light responder to work through.

Instead, drivers should stay where they are and allow the specially trained driver to calculate the best route around. 

Drivers can only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room to clear the junction safely or if they are taking up a position to turn right.   

Bus lanes  

Indicative of its name, a bus lane is a lane generally restricted to buses on certain days and times, though on some routes, bus lanes may also be used by taxis, cycles and even motorcycles. 

Bus lanes are generally used to speed up public transport that would be otherwise held up by traffic congestion. 

Due to this, unless otherwise indicated, you should not drive in a bus lane during its period of operation and are fined if found doing so with the typical penalty for driving in a bus lane at £160 in London and as much as £70 outside the capital. 

Most bus lanes will have signs which indicate the times that the bus lane is in operation, however if there are no times indicated, then drivers should assume that the lane is in operation 24 hours a day and will incur a fine if used by an unauthorised vehicle. 

While a fine will occur, drivers will not receive any points on their license if they drive in one by mistake.

Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driving School