Traffic rules in Scotland

Do not forget : drive on the left side of the road.

Overtake on the right side; do not overtake on the left! The police see this as aggressive driving behaviour and will fine you for it.

Do not drive in the middle lane of the motorway if the left lane is free.

If you approach a roundabout give way to the traffic coming from your right, unless otherwise indicated.

Mind the road signs when approaching a road junction:

There is no general rule for road junctions. It is indicated on most road junctions who have the right of way; alongside smaller roads you’ll see a triangular road sign saying “GIVE WAY” or a red sign saying “STOP”. But many road junctions just have “GIVE WAY” marked on the road surface = a broken white line and white triangle.

You must obey these signs and markings at all time.

Always give way to emergency services.

In built-up areas you must not sound your horn between 11.30 pm and 7am.

Headlights:
The headlights of your car are adjusted for Belgium to the right bank of the road. This means if you go to Scotland (or the UK for that matter) that they are shining on the road and in doing so they can blind oncoming traffic. Blinding oncoming traffic is illegal so you’re advised to stick a sticker on your headlights. Black tape keeps the light sufficiently away.

Parking:
You must not wait or park where there are restrictions shown by yellow lines along the edge of the carriageway or school entrance (markings on the carriageway).

Speed limits:
Unless road signs tell you otherwise, the speed limits are:
48 km (30 miles) in built-up areas
96 km (60 miles) on single carriageways
112 km (70 miles) on dual carriageways and motorways

Wearing a seat belt is obliged for all.

It goes without saying that helmets are obliged for motorcyclists. On all journeys, the rider and pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped MUST wear a protective helmet.

Alcohol and drugs:
Do not drink and drive as it will seriously affect your judgement and abilities.
In Scotland offences of drunken driving are not at all tolerated, very severe punishments are given if you are caught.

Accidents and emergency services:
If you are involved in an accident which causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property you must stop, give your own and the vehicle’s name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them. Report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.

Along all motorways and major roads you can find an emergency phone about every 800 m with which you can phone the Police Motorway Control Centre, they can send you the right emergency service, such as AA (www.theaa.com), RAC (www.rac.co.uk), police, ambulance or fire-brigade.

On motorways special warning panels are used to warn drivers of any danger coming up on the road. These are hanging above every lane and at least one every half mile.

Mobile phones:
As from the 1^st of December 2003 you are forbidden to use a mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle. If caught a fine awaits you of £30, which can go up as high as £1.000 if it becomes a court case.

Insurance:
Not all British/Scottish drivers are fully insured for damage that they might bring to others. If someone gives you damage it could be that you don’t get a refund for everything.

Your insurance company can give you more information and can also tell you how you can safeguard yourself for this.

Martine Maryns