Hazard warning: part 2

Hazard warning: part 2: how to read them

This chapter teaches 5 signs from the official manual: Congestion, Electrical shock, Danger plates, Temporary barricade, Traffic signals out of order.

Read the wording and symbol on each sign carefully. They tell you who the sign applies to, where it applies and what you must do, and two signs that look alike can apply to different road users.

Key idea: Check who a sign applies to before deciding what it means for you.

Congestion — W355

How to read it. This sign warns that traffic ahead may be congested.

Where you meet it. It can be used on any road.

What to do. Look out for slow-moving vehicles and adjust your speed to suit. It applies to every driver approaching the area.

In practice. On a busy road into town you see this sign and ease off. Brake lights appear ahead and you are already travelling slowly enough to stop smoothly.

Key idea: Congestion ahead: expect slow vehicles and adapt your speed.

Electrical shock — W361

How to read it. This sign warns of a possible electrical shock from overhead power cables on the road ahead.

Where you meet it. It can be used on any road.

What to do. Look out for the electrical cables over the roadway ahead. It applies to all drivers, especially those with tall loads.

In practice. A driver with a tall load sees this sign, slows and checks the cables overhead before going on.

Key idea: Overhead power cables ahead: look up and watch for them.

Danger plates — W401

How to read it. These plates warn of an obstruction, or a temporary obstruction, next to the road. They show that the road alignment to the left or right is altered.

Where you meet it. They are used on any road, especially in rural areas.

What to do. Do not pass to the right of W401 or TW401, and do not pass to the left of W402 or TW402. It applies to all drivers approaching the obstruction.

In practice. On a rural road you see the plates beside an obstruction. You keep to the side the plates direct and avoid passing on the wrong side.

Easily confused. The plates come in a left and right pair; passing on the wrong side of the one you meet is the mistake.

Key idea: Danger plates mark an obstruction: pass only on the permitted side.

Temporary barricade — W411

How to read it. This sign warns that part of the road is temporarily closed to traffic.

Where you meet it. It is used on any road where the carriageway is closed.

What to do. Slow down and do not try to drive past the sign. Look out for additional regulatory signs that show an alternative route. It applies to all drivers.

In practice. On a road with a barricade you slow down and stay behind it. You follow the extra signs that point to the alternative route.

Key idea: Temporary barricade: do not pass it; follow signs for another route.

Traffic signals out of order — TW412

How to read it. This temporary sign warns that the robot ahead, or the one it is attached to, is out of order.

Where you meet it. It can be used on any road, especially in urban areas.

What to do. Slow down, yield to other traffic and be ready to stop if traffic volume requires it. Look out for a traffic officer or stop sign that may be controlling traffic. It applies to all drivers.

In practice. In town you reach a robot that is not working and has this sign. You slow down and yield to other traffic, treating the intersection with care.

Key idea: Robot out of order: slow down, yield and look for traffic control.

Quick recap

• Congestion (W355): Congestion ahead: expect slow vehicles and adapt your speed.
• Electrical shock (W361): Overhead power cables ahead: look up and watch for them.
• Danger plates (W401): Danger plates mark an obstruction: pass only on the permitted side.
• Temporary barricade (W411): Temporary barricade: do not pass it; follow signs for another route.
• Traffic signals out of order (TW412): Robot out of order: slow down, yield and look for traffic control.