General notes

Traffic signs and signals

They are grouped into 5 classes which are:

1. Danger warning signs- represented by an insignia of a triangle

EXAMPLES

Warning of physical barrier ahead . Warning of stop or give way sign ahead.

2. Regulatory sign- represented by an circle

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 80

rail way crossing sign restriction sign/ speed limit

3. Informative signs- represented by a rectangle. or square

ONE WAY

Example are, de-restriction which means that the previous speed limit has been cancelled, one way sign

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4.Traffic light signal- for example
Robot rail road with crossing with flashing lights

Red –stop

Amber- prepare to stop

Green- proceed with caution

Traffic proceeding to the direction illuminated by the arrow may filter

ROBOT

Correct sequence of a robot= Amber(prepare to stop),Red (stop),Green (Go) (A,R,G) or Green(Go), Amber(prepare to stop),Red(stop) (G,A,R)

Sequence of a robot = Red (stop),Green (Go),Amber( prepare to stop) (R,G,A).

The above information is derived from the probability of how a robot works with three encounters of arriving at the intersection when the robot
is AMBER what colour follows next?, when the GREEN light goes of which colour lights next and when the RED colour switch of which light
lights of. NB. Observe how the robot operates.

5.Carriage way markings- these are markings on the road surface in form of lines and arrows.
A continuous line means no car is allowed to straddle these lines at any time
Double continuous line means that no vehicle should be driven on the right side of the line at any time

A broken white line means my vehicle may cross both line if it is safe to do so

A yellow line demarcates the edge of the road you straddle the yellow line when overtaking traffic turning right or when stopping

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 Direction arrows used in conjunction with continuous lines have a regulatory effect the driver must obey
Your position and direction is determined by these arrows you cannot go straight whilst you are in a lane with
arrow for vehicles turning left only, if you do it attracts a penalty since you are breaking the law

Types of lines

Transverse lines/ stop lines these are lines drawn across the road, the driver must come to a halt before straddling these lines, straddling them
its an offence. They are common on robot controlled intersections, stop sign intersections and pedestrian crossing places .

Longitudinal lines these are lines drawn along the road with main purpose of demarcating lanes, however they also convey information to the
driver concerning overtaking.

Diverging lines its one lane which forms two common on Y intersections.

Distances
 You are not allowed to park your vehicle not less than /no closer to the corner than 7.5 metres from the corner.
 Triangular reflectors are placed at a distance of 30-50 metres behind the vehicle. A lorry towing two trailers have six triangular reflectors
 For every 15 km/hr you are travelling behind another vehicle which you do not intend to overtake you leave a gap of one car ,60km/hr =
4 cars. You should avoid tail gating traffic as it may cause accident if the vehicle in front of you apply sudden brakes so leave enough
space for you to brake.
Speed (km/hr) Gap of cars
15 1
30 2
45 3
60 4
75 5
90 6
Distance table

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Km/hr Reaction distance Braking distance Overall stopping
distance
40 5.6 m 12.4 m 18 m
60 8.3 m 27.7 m 36m
120 16.7m 113.3m 130m

In Zimbabwe a person can apply for a drivers licence at the age of 16 years for class 3,4 and 5 (Light motor vehicles with NVM less than 5
tones).

Requirements for class 1 drivers license PSV( Public Service Vehicle)

5 years driving experience of either class 2 or class4 driving licence)

provisional licence with a pass mark of 100 %.

Medical certificate valid for 12 months

D.D.C- defensive driving certificate (valid for 48 months

Should be 25 years and above.

Provisional learners- valid for 12 months you can apply for a duplicate leaner licence when the original has been lost or defaced.

Motor Vehicle Classes

Class Vehicle
1 Buses
2 Lorries, heavy vehicles more than 5000kgs
3 Motor cycle
4 Light and private vehicles
5 Agricultural and construction vehicles

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QUESTIONS

1. In which class is tractor.

2. At the age of 17 years a person can drive which class.

Diagram questions

Controlled intersection is governed by any of the following i.e stop sign, robots, police or give way sign

Oncoming Rule:

Stipulates that never turn right in front of oncoming traffic. Oncoming traffic is a vehicle approaching from opposite direction with you

Which car goes first (Car B goes first, car B has got the right of way.)
.From the above diagram our oncoming vehicle is car C and car B car A goes last, car A gives the right of way, car A should stop
Car C cannot turn in front of car B, Car B goes first. NB A cannot turn in front of car B

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QUESTIONS. Which car goes last and first on the following diagrams

B
A B
A
C E

b
D
b
b
A

Right of way rule

States that you give precedence to traffic from your right side at an uncontrolled intersection/ fixed flashing amber robot. NB applicable where
traffic is approaching from different roads (side by side situation)

:Car A should stop and give right of way to Car B Car A goes first because its approaching from right side of car B
Car B has got the right of way ( Car B goes first. ) Car B goes last /car B gives the right of way to car A.

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 X F
H
A
P Y
QUESTION. Which car has got the right of way, which car gives the right of way from above diagrams?

Round about/Traffic circle-

You give right of way to traffic already circulating in the round about regardless of which direction is it coming from. If the roundabout is clear
of traffic you give way to traffic coming from your right side .

From the above diagram car B goes first because its already circulating in the traffic circle, Car A goes second because its approaching from the
right side of car C, and Car C goes last.

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 A

At a four way stop give right of way that arrives first. Car C is breaking the law because its facing a give way sign.

How to tackle car diagram with more than two cars You start from an empty road move clockwise(right) we come across your first car to
encounter goes first . Diagram 1 car B, this means car B goes first, movement of B does not obstruct any vehicle, after B car C goes second and
finally car A goes last. On diagram 2 G goes first obstructing car F and car E moves to the centre as soon as car F passes car E goes second and
lastly car F.

F
E

Rules to observe as a motorist

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 At a give-way sign you may proceed with caution without stopping if there is no other car approaching. you do not necessarily have to
stop if there is no vehicle
 At a stop sign you must stop and proceed after checking crossroads and if it is safe to do so.
 At a fixed flashing amber robot treat it as an uncontrolled intersection; you give right of way to traffic approaching from your right.
 When you enter a robot controlled intersection when it is amber or red and you have already crossed the pedestrian crossing line, you
should stay where you are or proceed with caution if it’s not safe to stop in that position.
 In a vehicle if you are a learner you are not allowed to carry passengers.
 Whenever you are driving make sure you and your passengers wear your safety belts, A driver is exempted from wearing safety belts
only when reversing, ambulances like any other vehicles they are fitted with safety belts. ambulance drivers do not wear safety belts each
time they drive ambulance
 You switch on your lights from 5:30pm-6:30am, make sure you switch your lights on a low beam/dipped lights when travelling behind
another vehicle, when meeting another vehicle and or when driving in a well lit area, when oncoming vehicle lights are on bright beam/
dazzled retaliate by casting your eyes slightly to the left and reduce speed.
 When involved in an accident or you are the first witness at an accident scene, you should render first aid and report to the police as soon
as possible.
 A detour mean a temporary road, the usual one may be would be under construction, so you should reduce speed and follow directions.
 You should give right of way to motor Cade, fire brigade, ambulance when sounding its siren and flashing its emergency lights by
pulling out of the road or drive to the extremely left of the road where pulling out is impossible.
 Switch of your engine when refuelling as it might cause fire.
 In Zimbabwe motorist should drive on the left lane and always give way to traffic from your right at an uncontrolled intersection, you
overtake other traffic by the right side, animal drawn wagon you overtake them by whichever side is safe to do so, on a bridge overtaking
is not allowed

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 A blind spot is a portion not seen by your rear view mirrors, rear means back so whenever you want to change vehicle position or
direction check blind spot over your shoulders. If you check your rear view mirrors and see an aeroplane (sky)adjust your view mirrors
or do nothing.
 At a pedestrian crossing place give precedence to pedestrians exercise caution by stopping and proceed if it is safe to do so.
 White honey comb reflectors are placed at the front of motor vehicle, yellow/amber side lines, red at the back of the vehicle.
 Chevron pattern is coloured in red and yellow
 At a rail crossing place driver is instructed to stop , look both sides and proceed if it is safe to do so
 At a lay bye sign reduce speed and drive cautiously.
 When parking your vehicle use park lights.
 A hazardous perception is an anticipation of what is in front of you.
 Maximum speed limit in Zimbabwe/wide tar, highway is 80km/hr for heavy vehicles, and 120km/hr for light motor vehicles
 Maximum speed limit in urban areas is 60km/hr
 Maximum speed limit for learners in Zimbabwe is 40 km/hr.
 You should turn at a safe speed stipulated speed is 15km/hr and below.
 When under the influence of drugs or alcohol you must stay of the road. After every two hours of continuous driving you must rest to
avoid fatigue.
 Before driving a motor vehicle on public roads it must have a registration book, insurance and vehicle licence
 A public service vehicle should have a registration book, passenger insurance, vehicle licence and certificate of fitness.
 A motor cycle does not have a reverse gear and a fire extinguisher. you must have an extra helmet, gloves and proper pillion seat for a
passenger.
 Cyclist should ride their bicycles in a single file.

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When approaching a narrow bridge you should pay attention to width restriction ,on a bridge you should not overtake because of width .

Vehicle control position uses

Clutch pedal On the floor board , positioned to the Avoid noise when changing gears, engage gears, stopping the car,
left and is depressed by the left foot starting the car.
Foot brake pedal Positioned on the centre, depressed by Used to reduce speed, and to stop the car in conjunction with
the right foot clutch but its temporary once you release the foot brake the car is
set in motion again.
Accelerator pedal Positioned on the right side, depressed Used to increase speed when pressure is applied on the
by the right foot. pedal(acceleration), and to reduce speed when pressure is relaxed
from the pedal(de-acceleration)
Hand brake/foot brake Depend with the make or model of the Is used to keep the car stationery, giving it a permanent stop.
car but common position is between
passenger and driver’s seat
A hooter /bell Depend Is used to alert pedestrians on the middle of the road / public safety
with the
make
also but
common
on
centre
of the
steering
wheel

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