Navigating Motorway Road Works Safely :

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Highway Code Rule 289

📖 Rule 289 Full Regulations & Explanation

Rule 289 ↗
Take special care on motorways and other high-speed dual carriageways.

Lanes may be closed to traffic and a lower speed limit may apply.
Works vehicles may be used to close lanes or carriageways for repairs. Where large ‘Keep Left’ or ‘Keep Right’ signs are displayed on the back, you MUST move over and pass the works vehicle on the side indicated and not return to the closed lane until you can see it is safe to do so.
Where a vehicle displays the sign ‘CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING’, you MUST NOT pass the vehicle. A flashing light arrow or red ‘X’ may also be used to make the works vehicle more visible from a distance and give earlier warning to drivers.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD reg 3 and sched 13

Text shown in the rule image

Navigating Motorway Road Works Safely :

A Guide to Rule 289

APPROACHING THE WORK ZONE

DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AND LANE CHANGES

Exercise Heightened Caution : Take special care on motorways and high - speed dual carriageways with closed lanes and lower speed limits .

Obey ' Keep Left ' or ' Keep Right ' Signs : MUST move over immediately to the side indicated by these large signs on works vehicles .

Identify Works Vehicles

Look for early warning signals like flashing light arrows or red ' X ' symbols signifying active lane closures or carriageway for repairs .

MANDATORY PROHIBITIONS

SAFE RE - ENTRY TO LANES

Safe Re - entry : Once past the works vehicle , do not return to the closed lane until you can clearly see that it is safe to do so .

CONVOY VEHICLE

NO OVERTAKING

Convoy Vehicle No Overtaking : A mandatory instruction ; you MUST NOT pass this vehicle if it displays this sign .

Legal Enforcement : Rules strictly enforced under Road Traffic Act 1988 section 36 and TSRGO regulation 3 / schedule 13 .

INCREASED VISIBILITY FOR SAFETY

Flashing arrows and red ' X ' signs provide earlier warnings from a distance to prevent sudden maneuvers .