Red and Amber Flashing Lights on the Motorway

Red flashing lights mean you must not proceed in the lane or lanes it applies too.

Amber flashing lights warn of a hazard ahead.

These signals will be situated above each lane, on the central reservation or at an entrance to the motorway.

Signals on the central reservation apply to all lanes and signals above are separate for each lane.

With the amber flashing lights signals will indicate a temporary hazard like reduced speed limit, fog, ice, change lane or leave motorway at next exit.

With the red flashing lights signals and a red cross, do not proceed in that lane. Red flashing lights and white T-shapes: do not enter the motorway.

Action to take when vehicle breaks down on a motorway

Steer your vehicle to the hard shoulder and as far to the left as you can.

When stopped turn your wheels to the left.

Switch on hazard lights, and side lights at night.

Don’t open the offside doors.

Move passengers away from the vehicle but leave animals inside.

Using the marker posts, walk to the nearest indicated emergency phone.

Face the traffic when using the emergency phone.

Main differences between dual carriageways and motorways.

Direction signs with blue background and white letters are only used for motorways.

The right hand lane on a dual carriageway can be used for turning right as well as overtaking. On a motorway it is only for overtaking.

Both have a central reservation which you must not cross. Unless when entering a dual carriageway and turning right.

Motorways have a hard shoulder for use in emergencies.

Some vehicles may be travelling slower on a dual carriageway compared to a motorway.

Motorways must not be used by provisional licence holders, cyclists, agricultural vehicles, horse riders and some slow moving vehicles.