Traffic signage
Traffic signage include:
- traffic signs and supplementary plates;
- road surface markings (such as lines and priority triangles);
- traffic lights.
All road users must adhere to the traffic signs that contain an obligation (obligatory action) or prohibition (prohibited action).
Obligation signs are mostly blue
(You have to turn right here)
Prohibition signs are mostly red or have a red edge
(You are not allowed to drive in here)
Traffic signs override traffic rules, insofar as these signs and rules refer to the same situation.
Situation 1, no traffic signs
The cyclist goes first, then the driver of the lesson car and finally the red car.
Situation 2, with traffic signs
The red car goes first, then the cyclist and lastly the driver of the lesson car.
Assuming you are in the lesson car, you must adhere to the following in situation 1:
- Drivers give right of way to drivers coming from the right.
The driver of the red car gives you and the cyclist priority. - Through traffic has right of way over turning traffic on the same road.
The cyclist riding straight on has right of way.
In situation 2 you are dealing with traffic sign B-6 and priority triangles, which indicate that you must give priority to crossing drivers.
- Drivers do not have to give right of way to drivers coming from the right.
The driver of the red car does not have to give right of way to you and the cyclist. - Through traffic still has right of way over turning traffic.
You have to give way to the cyclist continuing straight on.
Temporary signs
Sometimes temporary signs or road markings are placed. For example, during roadworks. There you can encounter both white (normal) markings and yellow (temporary) markings on the road surface. There may also be yellow traffic signs. In that case, the yellow traffic signs and markings apply instead of the normal ones.
The passenger car must follow the yellow temporary lines here.
The road straight ahead to Woerden is closed. To go to Woerden you now have to (temporarily) turn right.
Electronic matrix signs
Electronic matrix signs also classed as traffic signs that contain an obligation or prohibition. These can display a speed limit or, for example, a prohibition to use the lane, or to indicate that the rush hour lane is open.
If a different speed is stated on the electronic matrix signs than on the traffic signs in the verge, the lowest indicated speed applies. Usually this is the speed on the electronic matrix signs.
What is displayed on an electronic matrix sign can differ per lane. The displayed sign then only applies to that lane.
All lanes on this road are open. This can be seen by the green arrows above the lanes and the sign next to the road.
In this case, the hard shoulder is closed because a vehicle has broken down and is stationary on it. For safety reasons, the next lane has a lower speed limit than the other two lanes.
Traffic lights and priority signs
If there are working traffic lights, these take priority to the traffic signs. Other priority signs and markings (like priority triangles on the road surface) no longer apply. Only when the traffic lights are out of order will the traffic signs and markings that regulate the priority apply again.
Warning!
There are some traffic rules that continue to apply, also at traffic lights:
- Through traffic has right of way over turning traffic on the same road.
- A short turn has right of way over a long turn.
If two drivers of opposite direction meet and they both want to enter the same road, the driver who turns right has right of way over the driver who turns left.
When turning off at traffic lights with round lamps instead of arrow shaped ones, you may encounter oncoming traffic or traffic alongside you that has a green light at the same time. This may be through traffic – including pedestrians – or traffic turning off. You must give way according to the rules stated above.
For example, if you turn left, you must give way to oncoming through traffic, and traffic turning right.
The lesson car and the pedestrian have the green light at the same time.
In this case, the lesson car must wait for the pedestrian to cross.
The lesson car is turning left here at a round traffic light and must give way to the oncoming driver who is turning right.
Hierarchy traffic signage, directives and rules
Sometimes you can find that rules, signage or directives are not compatible with each other. In that case there is a hierarchy between these. In the picture you can see how this hierarchy works. Rules are the basis. As soon as there are traffic signs that state otherwise, they take precedence over the rules. As soon as there are traffic lights, the priority signs no longer apply. And directions by authorised persons overrule all rules, signs and traffic lights.
