All about the “reverse traffic” sign

Definition

Reversing traffic is a forced, organized measure, the purpose of which is to relieve the number of cars on part of the road. Such actions reduce the time required to get to a specific point and increase the throughput of the roadway.

Lanes intended to relieve road congestion are characterized by a higher level of danger, which can provoke an emergency situation.

Most often, such a traffic system is encountered during road repair work. The reverse is organized by representatives of the traffic police or workers involved in road surfaces.

Reversing traffic is advisable specifically on those road sections where traffic flows in different directions have uneven intensity. This is relevant for rush hour, repair work on the road or an accident on a specific part of it. Most often, stripes are found at exits from large populated areas, where the flow of cars is mainly directed outside the city.

Expert opinion

Evgeniy Romanov

Lawyer, specializes in protecting rights in areas related to traffic rules, insurance and disputes with the traffic police.

This type of movement has been used for quite a long time in Europe, Australia, and the USA. In our country, it still has a lot of shortcomings. There are many organizational issues that prevent us from achieving the final positive result. Taking into account the specifics of the system of traffic rules and the driver's mentality in our country, it can be argued that the accident rate on such roads is very high.

The introduction of reverse causes a lot of controversy among drivers. However, despite some difficulties in organization, reverse movement does make it possible to increase the speed of vehicles in the general flow. At the same time, the number of cars in different directions does not increase. To increase the number of reverse lanes in the Russian Federation, a number of measures are required aimed at increasing discipline among drivers.

The main requirement is to reduce the accident rate on reverse sections. Drivers are required to have maximum concentration. The car owner must be precisely aware of the extent of his responsibility and adhere to existing rules. This makes it possible to minimize the number of accidents on a specific part of the road. Particular caution is required when turning right, as well as when changing lanes at an intersection. You can change to a reverse lane only within the visibility range of a traffic light.

What is reverse motion?

To understand what reverse traffic means, you should understand that this is a forced measure aimed at unloading the remaining lanes during rush hour. Traffic in the reversible lane may be reversed. There are several ways to regulate this movement. The need to introduce reverse traffic may arise during road repairs. In this case, traffic control responsibilities are assigned to workers or traffic police officers.

The advantage of reverse traffic is an increase in the capacity of the road section. As a result, the time required to overcome a particular section of the road is reduced.

Methods for organizing reverse movement

To organize reverse traffic, you need to install a special road sign that will warn drivers about this. For the same purpose, markings are applied to the road or a traffic light is installed.

Road markings

The row for reverse movement is divided by markings 1.9. It consists of two broken parallel lines, the interval between which is 3:1.

The disadvantages of this method include that when there is snow outside, it can be difficult to see the markings. In addition, over time, the lines may fade.

One centrally located line forms two rows where the machines reverse. If the markings are marked on both sides, there will be one reversible lane on the road.

Traffic signals

The use of a special signaling device - a traffic light - is another way to organize reverse traffic. A traffic light usually has 2 or 3 fields. The following symbols can be seen on them:

1. Green downward arrow. Gives permission to drive in the appropriate lane.
2. Yellow arrow pointing to the lower right corner. It is a sign that you need to leave the lane, changing it to the adjacent one.
3. Red Cross. Prohibits movement.

A reversible traffic light is installed on a specific lane of the road. Its operation does not apply to the entire road or intersection. It works exclusively for those cars that move along the lane over which it hangs.

Special characters

When entering a reversible lane, the driver should see signs that indicate this. These include the following signs:

1. Sign 5.8. It looks like an image of a connected arrow with up and down direction indicators. Indicates the beginning of the reversible stripe.
2. Sign 5.9. It looks like the previous sign crossed out with a red line and indicates that the part with reverse is ending.
3. Sign 5.10. Represents white arrows that are located horizontally and point to the left and right directions. The indicator is a warning about the start of movement in reverse. You can see it only before the intersection.

Parapets

Accidents on the roads are largely due not only to congestion, but also to the fact that there are not enough traffic lights and markings to ensure correct reversing traffic. Therefore, parapet-type blocks made of concrete structures can additionally be used. They fence off free lanes on the opposite side of the road, which makes it possible to increase the speed of cars during peak loads.

Parapets are installed on the road and secured with rubber pads. Fences can have constant or variable length. Parapets of variable length are made of steel and are a welded structure. The use of such mobile blocks ensures that the road markings are divided into sections for reverse traffic.

Signs throughout the intersection

Effect of a road sign: go straight
These signs also belong to the category indicating the direction of travel at an intersection. This type is installed before the intersection of roadways and extends throughout the entire intersection. Most often, this sign can be found before a roundabout. According to the traffic rules, drivers driving in the lane are required to follow its instructions. Thus, it is assumed that when entering from the right, the driver must finish driving along the lane at the intersection also on the right side, and when entering from the left, exit from the left. These instructions usually confuse many drivers. Therefore, the rules of passage at the intersection are determined by the drivers themselves. In order not to create an emergency situation, you should remember several traffic rules: If the markings are not a solid line, then the driver has the right to change lanes at any time. Exit from the roundabout is carried out exclusively on the right side. Sometimes exit is regulated by signs 5.15.1 and 5.15.2. If there is a “Give Way” sign in front of the roundabout, if you do not comply with this requirement, then a fine of 1000 rubles will be included in the traffic violation protocol.

Signs indicating the start of the lane

Road signs of this category warn of the formation of an additional traffic area. You should carefully follow the current instructions, as many of them limit driving in the lane to the maximum speed. Violating the speed limit may result in a fine ranging from 500 rubles to 5,000 rubles, depending on the speed limit.

End of lane sign

A sign called “End of Lane” is installed to indicate the end of the roadway and the further narrowing of the roadway. When changing lanes when the road narrows, they are required to give priority to traffic moving on the left. If a violation of this traffic rule is established, the driver is issued a fine of 1,000 rubles.

Lane direction sign

This index has a similar name and has already been discussed. It detects traffic in a lane when the number of lanes on one side exceeds the number on the other. The main purpose of the sign is to regulate the direction of travel of vehicles along a section of the road and to facilitate driver orientation on complex road surfaces. These signs may also indicate restrictions on a certain section of the roadway. Most often, the traffic is in the truck lane. If this traffic rule is violated, drivers driving cargo vehicles will receive a fine of 500 rubles. When driving a truck further than the second line of the roadway, the fine increases to 1000 rubles.

Signs indicating the number of lanes

The “Number of Lanes” indicator regulates movement along the lane and the maximum permissible speed.
Some roads may contain a specific speed interval for each section individually. In this case, the difference between the permitted speeds is most often 20 km/h. While driving a section of road, it is quite easy to violate the speed limit specified by the traffic rules. The reason for this may be the noticeably slow speed of traffic flow in the left lanes. The penalties for violating the speed limit when this limit is in effect are:

• 500 rubles for exceeding from 20 to 40 km/h.
• 1000-1500 rubles for exceeding from 40 to 60 km/h.
• 2000-2500 rubles for exceeding from 60 to 80 km/h.
• Deprivation of a driver's license, or 5000 rubles for exceeding 80 km/h.

The logic here is quite transparent - the greater the excess, the more severe the punishment. In case of repeated violation, the punishment increases significantly. Don’t forget that sometimes the most harmless signs on the road hide terrible accidents behind them; you shouldn’t treat them with disdain.

Strict compliance with all traffic rules and restrictions established near the roadway will reduce the likelihood of receiving a violation order and protect you from road troubles. Every year, increasing fines should convey to the driver whether it is so important to break traffic rules in order to reduce travel time, but thereby creating a dangerous situation for other participants on the road

Advantages and disadvantages of reverse strips

Reversing movement provides the following advantages:

• Thanks to reverse, traffic on the roads is coordinated.
• In large cities, reversing traffic is indispensable for reducing traffic congestion.
• A lane with similar traffic can be used at specific times of the day, weekdays or weekends.
• Vehicle speed can increase by 20%.

However, there are also some disadvantages:

• Emergencies in such areas occur more often than in ordinary ones.
• In our country, the reverse system is not so widespread, so the driver may get confused and not understand how best to behave.

Traffic rules for reversible sections

Compliance with traffic rules will help you avoid road accidents and fines. It is extremely important to adhere to them due to the fact that the reversible part of the road is characterized by an increased accident rate.

Entering the lanes

Driving into the reversible lane is permitted if the following conditions are met:

1. The presence of a working traffic light where the color is green.
2. Installed sign 5.8.

In the second case, it is important to look at the pointer that is located near the symbol. So, under 8.5.1, you can enter the strip only on holidays and weekends. In the absence of an auxiliary sign, the traffic light will serve as a guide, or a traffic controller should be located in this area.

If there is no prohibition, then you can enter the driving lane in any direction from all directions. You can only leave it in the far right lane.

At the traffic light

Reversing traffic is characterized by a special traffic light. Usually it has two signals - green and red. Red prohibits entering a lane with a changing direction, driving along it, or requires moving to the right if the car is already there. Green allows you to move along the lane. There may also be a yellow signal at the traffic light. It means that the direction of movement will soon change. Each lane, if there are several of them, will be equipped with a separate traffic light.

If there is a traffic light, but it does not work, and the 1.9 marking is only on the left, the multifunctional row becomes normal. If the device is turned off and the line is in the middle of the road, driving is prohibited.

Driving over the bridge

When driving on a reversible system on a bridge, the rules will be the same as when driving on a regular part of the road. It is possible to select one or several rows with or without a change in direction. When driving in reverse on a bridge, you need to rely on road signs, markings and traffic lights.

At the crossroads

Difficulties with reversing traffic at an intersection are usually related to how you need to turn in this area:

1. If you are entering a road intersection with the beginning of a lane with a changing direction, you must first take the rightmost position. Only after turning from it can you change to reverse movement.
2. If the car is already driving in the reversible lane and the intersection requires you to go straight, the rules will be similar to normal traffic in that zone. That is, you must be guided by the signals of a regular traffic light. In the absence of one, you need to give way to a car that is moving on the right (if the roads are equivalent) or driving on the main road.
3. If a car is driving in reverse and needs to turn at an intersection, this is done from the outer lane on the right. In this case, in which direction the car plans to move does not matter.

Other reverse features

In addition to what has already been said, reverse movement involves the following rules:

• It is possible to overtake other cars on a multifunctional lane, but this must be done taking into account paragraph 11 of the Road Traffic Rules.
• Entering the reverse lane, which is limited on both sides by markings 1.9 when the traffic light is off or the red signal, can be equated to driving in the oncoming lane.
• A U-turn from the reverse lane can be made if the 1.9 marking does not separate the lanes that are intended for driving in oncoming directions.

Reverse traffic sign - basic concepts

On roads with reversible lanes, vehicles and trucks can pass in opposite directions. Naturally, not at the same time: reversible lanes on one day of the week can be designed for driving in one direction, and on another day - in the completely opposite direction. For example, on weekdays there are more lanes for traffic into the city, and on weekends - from the city. Switching is possible depending on the time of day (that is, during rush hours), the presence of holidays and weekends, etc.

This leads to a characteristic feature of the reverse movement of vehicles - it is organized on parts of the road, usually on one (maximum two) lanes. There are no completely reversible highways. When roads outside cities are narrowed, traffic reversal poses a serious danger and therefore does not occur. Multidirectional organization of traffic flows requires a central location of reverse lanes, their sufficient number and clear designation - not only through signs.

Fine for violating traffic rules when driving in reverse

If a driver does not follow the rules while driving in reverse, a fine may be imposed. Its magnitude will depend on the type of violation. So, if the driver does not change lanes to the right when exiting the reverse lane, he will have to pay 500 rubles. If you drive in reverse when the traffic light is not working, you may be fined 5,000 rubles, and if you violate it again, your driver’s license will be confiscated for 12 months.

When the traffic light is not working, the danger of leaving is that it may be turned on. Therefore, this violation is equivalent to driving into oncoming traffic. If a driver does not comply with the rules for driving in reverse at traffic lights, he faces a fine of 1,000 rubles.

Although reverse traffic is not very common in Russia at the moment, for many drivers it becomes a real salvation, reducing road congestion and reducing time spent in traffic jams. Therefore, it is important to adopt the experience of Western countries and develop a system of reverse movement in the Russian Federation.