UK Driving Theory Practice Exam

If there are red flashing lights above all motorway lanes, what action should a driver take?

1. Accelerate past the lights

2. Stop and wait

3. Change lanes immediately

4. Turn off the motorway at the next exit

The correct answer is: Stop and wait

When red flashing lights are displayed above all motorway lanes, they indicate that drivers must stop and wait. This signal is part of a traffic management system designed to ensure safety by alerting drivers that there may be a significant hazard or incident ahead, such as an accident or roadwork, and that it is unsafe to continue. Complying with this signal helps prevent congestion and further accidents by ensuring that vehicles come to a halt before reaching the uncertain situation ahead. Other options would place drivers in potentially dangerous situations. Accelerating past the lights disregards the warning and can lead to collisions with stopped vehicles or obstacles. Changing lanes immediately could confuse other drivers or lead to unsafe maneuvers. Turning off the motorway at the next exit might not be feasible or safe, depending on the situation, and would not address the immediate need to stop and wait. Therefore, stopping is the appropriate and safest response to red flashing lights on a motorway.