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VisibilityUnited Kingdom

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Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United Kingdom

231. Visibility

Visibility is the ability of a driver to see the road, other road users and potential hazards clearly, while also making the vehicle visible to others. Visibility can be reduced by darkness, fog, rain, snow, dirty or misted windows, glare and objects that obstruct the driver’s view. Drivers should keep windows, mirrors and lights clean, remove anything that blocks their field of vision and use the appropriate vehicle lights when visibility is reduced.

Visibility
Experimental long-exposure photograph of moving car traffic.
Wikimedia.org • Rick Doble • CC BY-SA
What does visibility mean when driving?

Visibility describes how clearly a driver can see the road, traffic and hazards and how easily other road users can see the vehicle.

What can reduce visibility while driving?

Visibility can be reduced by darkness, fog, rain, snow, glare, dirty or misted windows and objects that obstruct the driver’s view.

How can you improve visibility while driving?

Keep the windscreen, windows, mirrors and lights clean, remove condensation or ice before driving and use the appropriate lights when conditions require them.

Can objects inside a vehicle obstruct visibility?

Yes. Objects placed on the dashboard, windscreen or elsewhere around the driver can block part of the field of vision and make it harder to detect road users or hazards.

What should you do when visibility is poor?

Reduce your speed, increase your following distance and use the appropriate lights. Make sure you can see far enough ahead to react safely to traffic and obstacles.

Why are mirrors important for visibility?

Mirrors extend the driver’s view to the rear and sides of the vehicle. They should be clean and correctly adjusted, although drivers must still check blind spots where necessary.

1 United Kingdom 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Bike path 5 Pedestrian warning 6 Bridge 7 Speed bump 8 Toll road 9 One-way traffic 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Bus stop 14 Dead end 15 Stop sign 16 Give way 17 Roundabout 18 Road narrowing 19 Priority over oncoming traffic 20 Give way to oncoming traffic 21 Pedestrian crossing 22 Railway crossing 23 Mandatory direction 24 Turn prohibition 25 School area 26 Crossing animals 27 Slippery road 28 Rockfall 29 Aircraft 30 Curve 31 Chevron 32 Wrong-way driving 33 Roadworks 34 Height limit 35 Radar speed sign 36 Selective barriers 37 Low-emission zone 38 Priority at the next junction 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Road markings 42 Climbing lane 43 Bike box 44 Left-hand traffic 45 Speed feedback 46 Driving licence 47 Cycling route 48 Parking 49 No parking 50 Park and ride 51 Disabled parking 52 Reversing 53 Detour 54 Road surface 55 Verge 56 Traffic calming 57 Horse riding 58 Emergency exit 59 City limit 60 Tourist attraction 61 Licence plate 62 Charging station 63 Dangers 64 Dip 65 Tram lane 66 Cyclist 67 Bus 68 Police 69 Ambulance 70 Roadway 71 Street 72 Pothole 73 Private road 74 Path 75 Particulates 76 Air pollution 77 Rush hour 78 Road code 79 Two-way traffic 80 Tram stop 81 Street gutter 82 Cargo bike 83 Forestry vehicle 84 Construction vehicle 85 Semi-trailer truck 86 Trolleybus 87 Speed pedelec 88 Delivery vehicle 89 Idling 90 Tow truck 91 Four-wheel drive 92 Passenger 93 Bicycle 94 Motorcycle equipment 95 Tram 96 Rail track 97 Public transport 98 Caravan 99 Trailer 100 Tow hitch ... 101 Fire truck 102 Siren 103 Convoy 104 Emergency vehicle lighting 105 Tractor 106 Agricultural machinery 107 Electric bicycle 108 Electric vehicle 109 Pedelec 110 Quadricycle 111 Microcar 112 All-terrain vehicle 113 Van 114 Recreational vehicle 115 Scooter 116 Trikke 117 Personal mobility device 118 Skateboard 119 Segway 120 Kick scooter 121 Roller skates 122 Mailman 123 Hitchhiker 124 Toddler 125 Child 126 Elderly 127 Disability 128 Crossing guard 129 Motorail 130 km/h 131 mph 132 Speedometer 133 Ride height 134 Funeral procession 135 Dirt road 136 Driving 137 Start-stop system 138 Manual transmission 139 Automatic transmission 140 Throttle 141 Tachometer 142 Steering wheel 143 Power steering 144 Visual scanning 145 Mirror 146 Fuel 147 Fuel gauge 148 Petrol 149 Diesel 150 Diesel exhaust fluid 151 Car insurance 152 First aid kit 153 Fire extinguisher 154 High-visibility clothing 155 Towing rope 156 First aid 157 Concrete step barrier 158 Barriers 159 Vehicle lights 160 Street lights 161 Dipped beam 162 High beam 163 Fog lights 164 Front fog lights 165 Rear fog lights 166 Side lights 167 Turn signals 168 Hazard lights 169 Dashboard lights 170 Bicycle lighting 171 Bicycle bell 172 Headlight flashing 173 Seat belt 174 Child restraints 175 Head restraints 176 Airbag 177 ABS 178 Esp 179 Traction control system 180 Helmet 181 Bicycle helmet 182 Hands-free 183 Smartphone 184 GPS 185 Brake 186 Handbrake 187 Brake fluid 188 Tyres 189 Tyre code 190 Winter tyres 191 Tyre pressure 192 Snow chains 193 Bicycle tyre 194 Continuous track 195 Gross Vehicle Weight 196 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 197 Cargo 198 Car body 199 Trunk 200 Roof rack 201 Windscreen 202 Emergency hammer 203 Car battery 204 Traction battery 205 Suspension 206 Shock absorber 207 Spring 208 Exhaust 209 Exhaust gas 210 Soot 211 Catalytic converter 212 Engine 213 Petrol engine 214 Diesel engine 215 Electric motor 216 Timing belt 217 Glow plug 218 Cylinder 219 Engine oil 220 Coolant 221 Maintenance 222 Spare tyre 223 Flat tyre 224 Jack 225 Vehicle inspection 226 Key 227 Dashboard 228 Windscreen wiper 229 Doors 230 Glovebox 231 Visibility 232 Rain 233 Fog 234 Hail 235 Sunlight 236 Sunglasses 237 Salt 238 Air conditioning 239 Hydroplaning 240 Distraction 241 Emotions 242 Road rage 243 Health 244 Epilepsy 245 Night blindness 246 Visual impairment 247 Fatigue 248 Defects 249 Traffic violation 250 Alcohol 251 Alcohol control 252 Ignition interlock device 253 Breath test 254 Breath analysis 255 Blood alcohol content 256 Blood test 257 Saliva test 258 Drugs 259 Medication 260 Penalties 261 Speeding 262 Smoking 263 Traffic enforcement camera 264 Double curve 265 Accident 266 Injuries 267 Nosebleed 268 Damage 269 Breakdown 270 Warning triangle 271 Traffic rules 272 Driving school 273 Traffic signs