Rétrécissement de chausséeJapon

Apprenez les règles de circulation avec des explications claires et des exemples visuels dans notre livre illustré, simple et agréable à étudier.


20. Rétrécissement de chaussée

Un rétrécissement de chaussée est une section où la largeur disponible de la route ou de la chaussée diminue. Le rétrécissement peut se produire des deux côtés, d’un seul côté, ou parce qu’une ou plusieurs voies se terminent.

Les conducteurs doivent réduire leur vitesse, observer les véhicules arrivant en sens inverse et ceux circulant à côté, maintenir un dégagement latéral suffisant et s’insérer si nécessaire. Les panneaux d’avertissement ne déterminent pas toujours la priorité ; les conducteurs doivent donc respecter les panneaux de priorité, marquages de voie et règles locales de circulation.

Rétrécissement de chaussée
What is a road narrowing?

A road narrowing is a section where the usable width of the road becomes smaller. Traffic may have less space to pass, merge or travel beside other road users.

How can you recognise a road narrowing?

It may be indicated by a triangular warning sign showing the road edges moving closer together. The symbol may show narrowing on both sides, the left side or the right side.

What can cause a road to narrow?

A road may narrow because of a bridge, tunnel, barrier, traffic-calming measure, roadworks, parked vehicles, landslide, damaged road edge or reduction in the number of lanes.

Does a narrowing sign impose a speed limit?

No. It normally warns of danger rather than setting a numerical speed limit. Drivers must still reduce speed when necessary to pass safely.

Does a narrowing sign determine who has priority?

Not by itself. Priority may be established by separate signs, signals or local rules. Without them, drivers should approach cautiously and cooperate.

Who has priority when the obstruction is on one side?

In many countries, the driver whose side is obstructed must give way to approaching traffic. The precise rule depends on local law and any priority signs displayed.

What if the road narrows equally from both sides?

Neither direction necessarily has automatic priority. Drivers should reduce speed, assess who can pass safely and avoid entering when doing so would block approaching traffic.

What do priority signs at a narrow section mean?

One sign may require you to give way to oncoming traffic, while the corresponding sign may indicate that you have priority. Drivers must still avoid entering when the passage is already occupied or blocked.

Does having priority mean you must continue?

No. Priority is not an obligation to proceed. Slow down or stop when another vehicle is already in the narrow section or when continuing would create danger.

What should you do when another vehicle is already in the narrowing?

Allow it enough room to leave the narrow section. Do not enter if the available width is insufficient for both vehicles to pass safely.

How should you approach a road narrowing?

Check mirrors, reduce speed smoothly and observe oncoming traffic, cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles beside you. Be prepared to stop or merge.

Must you use an indicator when the road narrows?

Use an indicator when you must change lanes or move laterally. Merely following a lane that bends with the road may not require a signal under local law.

What should you do when your lane ends?

Check the adjacent lane, signal and merge safely according to the local merging rules. Do not force another driver to brake or leave the road.

What is zipper merging?

Zipper merging means that vehicles from an ending or blocked lane merge alternately with vehicles in the continuing lane, usually immediately before the narrowing during congestion.

Should you merge early during heavy congestion?

Where zipper merging applies, continue using both lanes and merge alternately near the narrowing. In free-flowing traffic, change lanes safely when a suitable gap is available.

May you overtake near a road narrowing?

A narrowing sign does not always prohibit overtaking, but overtaking should be avoided when there is insufficient width, visibility or distance to complete the manoeuvre safely.

How should you pass cyclists at a narrowing?

Wait behind the cyclist when the required passing distance cannot be maintained. Do not squeeze past or force the cyclist towards a kerb, barrier or damaged road edge.

How should large vehicles use a narrow section?

Large vehicles may need additional width and may cross lane or centre markings where legally permitted. Other drivers should leave sufficient space and avoid passing alongside them in the narrowing.

May pedestrians be present at a road narrowing?

Yes. Pavements or verges may also become narrow or blocked. Drivers should expect pedestrians or wheelchair users to enter the carriageway to pass an obstruction.

May you stop or park in a road narrowing?

Only where it is permitted and enough width remains for traffic to pass safely. Never stop or park where the vehicle would create danger, obstruct visibility or prevent other vehicles from passing.

What should you do at a temporary roadworks narrowing?

Follow temporary signs, signals, barriers and instructions from authorised workers. Temporary traffic controls may replace the normal priority or lane arrangement.

What should you do in poor visibility?

Reduce speed further, increase the following distance and be prepared for a stopped vehicle beyond the narrowing. Use the required lights without dazzling approaching road users.

1 Japon 2 Autoroute 3 Voie rapide 4 Zone 5 Limitation de vitesse 6 Vitesse minimale 7 Chemin piéton 8 Piste cyclable 9 Chemin partagé 10 Tunnel 11 Route à péage 12 Circulation à sens unique 13 Quai 14 Pente 15 Voie de bus 16 Arrêt de bus 17 Panneau Stop 18 Cédez le passage 19 Rond-point 20 Rétrécissement de chaussée 21 Passage pour piétons 22 Passage à niveau 23 Direction obligatoire 24 Interdiction de tourner 25 Zone scolaire 26 Dépassement 27 Traversée d’animaux 28 Chaussée glissante 29 Chutes de pierres 30 Virage 31 Circulation à contresens 32 Travaux routiers 33 Vent latéral 34 Limitation de hauteur 35 Limitation de largeur 36 Limitation de poids 37 Panneau de contrôle radar 38 Barrières sélectives 39 Panneau directionnel de carrefour 40 Feux de circulation 41 Avertissement de feux de circulation 42 Feux pour piétons 43 Marquages routiers 44 Permis de conduire 45 Repère de localisation 46 Miroir routier 47 Téléphone d’urgence 48 Itinéraire cyclable 49 Stationnement 50 Stationnement interdit 51 Arrêt interdit 52 Stationnement pour personnes handicapées 53 Gestion du trafic 54 Marche arrière 55 Demi-tour 56 Carrefour non réglementé 57 État de la chaussée 58 Permis provisoire 59 Issue de secours 60 Limite d’agglomération 61 Klaxon 62 Plaque d’immatriculation 63 Station de recharge 64 Dangers 65 Piéton 66 Cycliste 67 Cyclomoteur 68 Moto 69 Voiture 70 Camion 71 Autobus 72 Police 73 Ambulance 74 Nid-de-poule 75 Chemin 76 Particules 77 Pollution de l’air 78 Heure de pointe 79 Code de la route 80 Circulation à double sens 81 Caniveau 82 Vélo cargo 83 Véhicule forestier 84 Véhicule de chantier 85 Ensemble semi-remorque 86 Trolleybus 87 Speed pedelec 88 Véhicule de livraison 89 Moteur au ralenti 90 Dépanneuse 91 Quatre roues motrices 92 Accès interdit à tous les véhicules 93 Vélo 94 Équipement de moto 95 Tram 96 Voie ferrée 97 Caravane 98 Remorque 99 Attelage 100 Camion de pompiers ...