What type of vehicle uses an amber flashing beacon on a dual carriageway?
There’s quite a few beacons used by vehicles, making sure you know the difference between them all is important when on the road.
A tractor – An amber flashing beacon on a vehicle signals that it is driving slowly or has stopped and that there is a potential hazard. On a dual carriageway, look ahead and you should be able to see and respond to these vehicles in good time.
On the road, you may come across a variety of slow-moving vehicles. Farm machinery, tractors, roadworks vehicles, and garbage collecting vehicles are examples of these. The majority of them will feature flashing amber beacons.
Tractors and farm machinery will routinely pull in to the left when it is safe to do so or if there is enough space to do so to allow a line of vehicles to pass. They are not however always able to do so. It can be annoying to be stuck behind a slow-moving automobile, but stay patient.
Overtaking a tractor
Wait until the road ahead is fully clear of approaching traffic and you’re confident that overtaking is both safe and lawful.
Overtaking a tractor is more difficult. You should:
- Drop back – This will improve your vision and allow the driver of the large car to notice you in their mirrors. Getting too near to big vehicles, such as a tractor with a trailer or other fixed equipment, will impede your vision of the road ahead, and there may be another slow-moving vehicle in front.
- Check your room – Before you commit, be sure you have adequate space to finish your overtaking manoeuvre. Passing a large vehicle takes longer. If in doubt, avoid overtaking.
- Think for yourself – Don’t assume you can follow a car that is overtaking a long vehicle ahead of you. If an issue arises, they may abandon the overtaking manoeuvre and pull back in.
Keep in mind that there may be workers on the road, such as near roadwork vehicles or garbage collection trucks.
Overtaking is not permitted on the approach to a bend, before the crest of a hill, or when there are dips in the road ahead that could conceal an oncoming vehicle.
In rural locations, concealed entrances to farm properties may also exist, from which vehicles may appear unexpectedly. Overtake only if your view of the road ahead is fully open and unimpeded, and you are certain there is no oncoming traffic. Check behind to ensure that no other vehicle is attempting to overtake you at the same moment.
When overtaking, leave sufficient space and time for your manoeuvre. Some vehicles, particularly those carrying farm equipment, may be broader or longer than anticipated.
