Legal advice > Administrative law > Road accidents, traffic police, traffic rules > Main road traffic rules or the main thing you need to know about it
From the first rules created for pioneer motorists to the present day, the main and most used principle for building relationships between drivers on the road is the principle of priority.
It is this principle that is embedded in the logic of constructing many formal rules governing traffic at street intersections, the order and necessity of installing road signs and applying road markings, which of the traffic participants has a priority right to pass through the intersection largely determines the safety of all traffic participants. That is why the concept of “main road” in the traffic rules and everything connected with it was and is the basic principles of traffic organization, affecting all traffic participants without exception.
What is a main road - definition, terms and basic concepts
This is what the “Main Road” sign looks like
The concept of “main road”, according to the Road Traffic Rules, is interpreted as a road marked with appropriate signs and having a hard surface, if this applies to the situation when one of the roads at the intersection is asphalted or has another hard surface, and the other is unpaved.
In this definition, there are objectively several points that deserve special attention:
- The definition speaks of a mandatory road crossing or crossroads;
- The road must be marked with road signs indicating that the driver located on this section of the road has the right of priority passage through the intersection, at the same time, other drivers and pedestrians are required to give way to the intersection;
- That the definition of a main road includes areas adjacent to exits from parking lots, parking lots and technical areas of enterprises.
- In the absence of signs and indicators, at the junction of the dirt road and the paved road, this area is the entrance to the main road, and the small asphalt area in front of the exit cannot be considered a section of the paved road.
Main road - definition of traffic rules, denoting signs
The definition of traffic rules for a main road is as follows: the main road, first of all, is the road on which signs 2.1, 2.3.1–2.3.7 or 5.1 are placed. Any adjacent or crossing roads will be of secondary importance and drivers on them will be required to yield to traffic traveling in the direction indicated by the above signs.
Priority is also determined by the availability of coverage. With a hard road surface (materials made of stone, cement, asphalt concrete), in relation to the ground, it is also the main one. But the secondary one, which has a certain segment with coverage only in front of the intersection, is not equal in importance to the one being crossed. You can also distinguish the secondary one by its location. Any road is considered the main road for exits from adjacent territories. Let's look at the signs indicating the main one and how they are used.
- 2.1 is placed at the beginning of the segment with priority right of movement through unregulated intersections, as well as immediately before intersections.
- If at the intersection the main road changes direction, then in addition to 2.1, a sign 8.13 is installed.
- The end of the section where the driver was driving along the main road is indicated by sign 2.2.
- 2.3.1 informs about the approach to the intersection with directions of secondary importance simultaneously from the left and right.
- 2.3.2–2.3.7 – about approaching the junction on the right or left of a secondary road.
- The sign “Motorway” (5.1) indicates the main road to which the rules for traveling on motorways apply. 5.1 is placed at the beginning of the highway.
Road signs: what they look like and what they mean
To designate a main road, most countries use a sign in the form of a regular diamond with 90-degree angles, white, with a yellow or sometimes orange border around the perimeter. In some countries, an additional letter qualifier is used, corresponding to the term "Main Road". The installation of this sign is usually applied directly to the road to which the priority position is assigned.
To mark adjacent roads, signs are used in the form of white equilateral triangles, with a red border around the perimeter, with an image of the road situation in the center. They are installed on the main road to inform drivers about possible situations for making the desired maneuver.
On adjacent roads, depending on local conditions, “STOP” or “Give way” signs are installed. They are installed immediately before an intersection or before entering the road.
The “Highway” sign can also be used for marking on highways and roads of national importance.
Sign installation and coverage area
The sign is valid from the place where it is installed until the next sign indicating the termination of the coverage area.
Almost always, the “main road” sign is installed and regulates the priority of traffic for a separate section or the entire road from the installation site to the place where the sign that terminates its effect is installed, that is, to the installed “end of the main road” sign.
Such a sign in front of the intersection clearly states the priority in passing the intersection, but even in this case, its coverage area extends to the road. Outside the populated area, sections of the main road are marked in the same way.
A road sign indicating the main road must be installed at the beginning of the section and extends its effect to the entire section of the road, including intersections.
Signs informing about the junction or intersection of secondary roads can be installed in front of intersections both with “main road” signs, and independently, in the case where a dirt road adjoins. On international highways and national highways, signs are installed at the beginning of the highway section.
When you can't see the signs
If there are no road signs on your side, you should definitely slow down.
Look around carefully. Do you see signs on other sides of the intersection?
They are often duplicated on the left side. Or they hang it above the road, rather than installing it on poles on the side.
Moreover, in some situations they are installed in such a way that it is impossible to notice them. Bushes and tree branches become a common obstacle. Utility services are clearly underperforming. And the priority signs are hidden in the branches.
The only bad thing is that this fact is unlikely to exempt you from liability for violating the rules of crossing an intersection. So be careful. Look around.
If you haven’t seen the signs on your side, then take a closer look at their possible placement on other sides of the approaching intersection.
It’s not difficult to recognize the signs from the reverse side:
Having seen one of the presented signs at one of the corners of the intersection, the driver can correctly assess the situation and also make a decision on subsequent maneuvers.
Coverage to help
Another situation where the main road is how to determine without signs.
In such a situation, it makes sense to evaluate the road surface.
More relevant outside populated areas. There are also possible intersections where priority signs are not installed.
There is a simple solution. This is the presence of a ground cover. Where the soil intersects with asphalt, everything is elementary. The soil is a secondary area, and the asphalt is a priority, that is, the main one.
Yes, asphalt can also be applied over a certain number of meters from the ground side. But only for aesthetics. The presence of a piece of asphalt on the ground when crossing an intersection does not make both roads equal. Consequently, the driver leaving the dirt must yield and let those driving on the asphalt surface pass.
Signage on minor roads
In a situation where a main road intersects a minor road or a minor road adjoins a main road, priority signs must be installed requiring you to give way to vehicles traveling on the main road. “STOP” or “Give Way” signs in front of the intersection being crossed are duplicated by corresponding markings in the form of a “stop line”.
When a traffic light is installed, all traffic participants must be guided by the traffic light signals, and if it is turned off or switched to a flashing yellow light mode, by the installed road signs.
Let's sum it up
Figuring out who is where is not difficult in practice. But here it is recommended to know the theory well. Especially priority signs.
If you follow these rules, and also follow the instructions, then there should be no problems with crossing intersections.
Even if there are no signs, and there are no obvious clues as to where you are.
Are you afraid to cross intersections? How do you try to navigate such situations? Have you ever gotten into an accident or received a fine due to driving the wrong way?
Answer questions and share your personal experiences.
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How to identify a main road without a sign
The basic rule for a driver in an area without road signs and traffic lights should be the understanding that safety and priority of passage in such a situation can be regulated with the help of other rules.
In this case, any driver must consider himself to be on a secondary road and thus take all measures to allow a car passing on the intersected road to pass. In this case, when approaching an intersection, you need to slow down in advance, stop, assess the situation, and only then continue driving.
What to do if there are no signs
Let's look at the following situation. There are no priority signs on the driver's side.
Then it makes sense to refer to paragraph 13.13 of the traffic rules.
It says the following. When a motorist is unable to determine the surface and there are no priority signs, he should assume that he is driving on a secondary route.
The inability to determine the coverage is determined by poor lighting, the presence of snow, dirt, etc.
It turns out the following. When the driver cannot determine the status of the road, then you need to act on the basis that you are on a secondary route. And if sign 2.4 is visible ahead, but is turned backwards, then when crossing this road will be the main one. There are no options here.
The priority should always be to assess vehicles that are on a potential main road. See how many there are and how far they are from you. They have an advantage. Therefore, if vehicles are close, you will need to let them through.
As for oncoming cars, you have equal rights. After all, both cars are moving on a secondary road. What follows from this? If the car opposite is about to turn left, then first it must let you pass, moving straight.
There is just a nuance. Use priority only if you are sure that the oncoming vehicle intends to yield.
Changing direction on a section of road with priority traffic
On sections of roads where the main road changes direction, signs must be installed indicating the order of movement and the change in route. In the classic layout of such a section, on the side of the roadway where there is priority, a “main road” sign is installed, along with an additional information sign “change in direction of travel.”
On the opposite side, where there is no priority, signs are installed indicating that on this section there is priority for oncoming traffic; the signs are necessarily duplicated by road markings.
In urban environments, in such areas, in addition to signs, traffic lights are also installed to ensure safe traffic.
How to act correctly in traffic situations as a driver
Make maneuvers in accordance with the rules of the road!
It is important for the driver to correctly navigate the intersection of the main road and the secondary road and, in strict compliance with traffic rules, make a maneuver; according to the conditions of priority, the following, largely standard situations may most often arise:
- Exit from the secondary road to the main one. When approaching the intersection of a secondary road and the main road, the driver on the secondary road must slow down, and if there is a “STOP” sign or road marking, the “stop line” will come to a complete stop, stopping movement, to allow vehicles and pedestrians to pass along the main road. A “give way” sign before an intersection does not require the vehicle to come to a complete stop, but a complete stop will actually improve road safety.
- U-turn. A U-turn on the main road is permitted in the absence of a double continuous dividing line and several lanes within the intersection, provided that the maneuver will not create a risk of an accident or interference with other road users. On highways and roads with several lanes, turning around is usually permitted at breaks in the dividing line on specially designated sections of the road with signs and road markings.
- Main road and traffic light. The traffic light installed at the intersection requires strict adherence to its signals, therefore, during prohibitory and warning traffic lights, even movement on the main road is prohibited. This rule also applies to traffic lights installed outside populated areas in front of pedestrian crossings. Here the traffic light has priority.
- Ring. On a section with a roundabout, everything depends on how the order of passage of the section is determined; in the case where the roundabout is recognized as the main one, then when approaching it it is necessary to stop to allow traffic to pass around the circle. This is the main rule in roundabouts in many European countries. And in the case when the main road mode is not established on the ring, its passage is carried out on a general basis according to the rules for driving through the intersection of equivalent roads.
- Overtaking. When overtaking, the rules established for this maneuver are observed. You cannot overtake cars crossing a double solid line, and you cannot maneuver at an intersection.
We focus on the signs
To understand who is on the main road and who is on the secondary road, you need to look at the signs.
From a distance it is not always possible to understand what is considered the main road at an upcoming intersection.
In this situation, it is recommended to slow down and also drive closer.
Next, look for possible signs. They will help if the traffic light is faulty or there is no traffic controller.
Look at the signs at the intersection. And remember driving courses. This is basic knowledge that all motorists must have.
Sign 2.1
Directly indicates which road is the main one. Means "Main Road".
If you see this sign, then there is an intersection of unequal roads ahead. Therefore, you move along the main road. You have priority. Use it correctly.
Sign 2.4
It also helps to understand which road is the main one at the intersection. Not yours. After all, this sign informs you to give way. Presented in the form of an inverted triangle.
Consequently, the driver is moving on a secondary road. The path itself is uneven.
If necessary, in case of such a sign you will have to stop. This is necessary to give way to drivers with priority.
Sign 2.5
Another useful sign. It doesn’t mean that you can’t move without stopping.
Also a sign of being on the road of secondary importance. You will need to stop before the stop line. If it exists, of course.
If there is no line, you must stop in front of the edge of the roadway. This will allow you to assess the situation and make the right decision on subsequent maneuvers.
You need to give way to vehicles moving on the side with priority. Only after this is it allowed to continue on your own path.
Responsibility for violating the rules
The range of violations related to violation of the rules for driving on the main road and the rules for driving through intersections, punishable by the Administrative Code, is quite large, including violation of maneuvering rules, violation of marking rules, and failure to comply with the rules for passing certain signs.
Basically, for the cases considered in violations, there are violations related to driving through an intersection without stopping and failure to comply with traffic lights.
These violations are punishable by:
- a fine of 800 rubles (in the case of a “stop line”);
- a fine of 1,000 rubles and up to deprivation of rights for 6 months in case of violation of the passage of an intersection equipped with a traffic light.
