Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
Meet Situations occur frequently during lessons. Meeting oncoming traffic is an essestial skill.
A meet situation occurs when you need to use the same piece of road at the same time as the oncoming traffic.
The Meet Situation is quite a common occurrence in built up areas. Meet situations also happen commonly on narrow country lanes. In highly populated areas meeting oncoming traffic is extremely common. Meet situations are rarer in the countryside but can be more dangerous because of the potential of higher speeds. In situations where meeting oncoming traffic is probable the following guidance will be invaluable.
If you need to give way to oncoming traffic then knowing the holdback position is essential. On your driving lessons we will be looking for the holdback position to be used accurately when meeting oncoming traffic. The hold back position is one of the prime components of performing a good meet situation.
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming traffic
- Holdback Position -
The holdback position when used in a meet situation with oncoming traffic is ideally two car lengths back from the stationary vehicle and in a right turn position by the white line.
The reasons why the Holdback Position is important when performing a meet situation with oncoming traffic are as follows:
- Two car lengths back from the stationary vehicle makes it easier for you to move around the vehicle sensibly when you complete the meet situation.
- If your stationary position is near to the kerb it is entirely possible that a following road user will think that you have just pulled into the kerb to park without indicating and pass you. This kerbside position also hinders your forward vision during the meet situation with oncoming traffic because there is a vehicle directly in front of you.
- By waiting in a right turn position by the kerb you have a far greater field of vision ahead of you to see the oncoming traffic. This makes for far more reliable decisions on when to move off.
I say ideally use the holdback position because it may not always be possible when meeting oncoming traffic; for example if there are cars parked opposite and you stop by the white line in a right turn position then the oncoming traffic may not even be able to get through.
In a meet situation with oncoming traffic you will benefit from stopping two car lengths back from the hazard because it is easier for you to steer around it when you do move away. You stop by the white line, or as far towards it as is practical, so that you are securing for yourself the best possible effective observation down the road ahead. Much better for spotting the oncoming traffic.
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
- Oncoming Traffic -
The priority in this situation is decided by on whose side of the road the stationary hazard is and how much clearance is available. Not by who gets there first or whether or not you think that you will fit through the gap. We should always be prepared to give way in a meet situation with oncoming traffic for the sake of safety. If it is your priority and the oncoming traffic is being led by a selfish moron then give way to them. In meet situations with oncoming traffic this sometimes occurs. Pride does not hurt as much as a crash!
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
- Spotting a Meet Situation -
If there is any oncoming traffic and you need to move away from your normal position on the road for any reason then there must remain a suitable distance between yourself, the stationary vehicle, and the oncoming traffic. If you are absolutely certain that this is the case then you can pass the stationary vehicle. If there is any doubt in your mind at all them you should treat this situation as a meet situation with oncoming traffic.
By using effective observations you will have spotted the meet situation early. The procedure for meeting oncoming traffic safely is as follows :-
Meet Situations - Performing the Meet Situation.
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
- The Procedure -
Meet Situations - Mirrors.
If you have spotted a meet situation then your first move must be to perform a full set of mirror checks.
Meet Situations - Stop if necessary.
Decide if you need to stop and where. It is possible with practice that you may spot a meet situation in advance. If this is the case then you will be able to avoid meeting the oncoming traffic by slowing down in advance. This allows the oncoming traffic to pass therefore leaving you with a simple stationary hazard to pass.
Meet Situations - Where to stop.
Stop if necessary in the Holdback position and apply the parking brake, two car legths back from the stationary vehicle and in a right turn position by the kerb (if this is sensible).
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
- Moving off -
Decide when to move off in advance. You do not want to be sitting in neutral not having done any preparation or checks when the time comes to move away. If you can spot the time early you can be ready.
A few seconds before you think you will be moving off prepare the car by selecting first gear and setting the gas and finding the biting point.
As the last vehicle is approaching you check your central and right mirrors and indicate if necessary (if there is anything behind you whether stationary or moving).
You will be ready now to move away from the meet situation at the soonest convenient time.
Pass the hazard with suitable clearance.
Perform a full set of mirror checks and follow the road ahead.
Meet Situations - Other occasions when a Meet Situation is necessary.
Road Works.
Road works are another area of hazards that do not get enough coverage in the syllabus. You will find them generally speaking wherever you go and there are various different types of traffic control depending upon the size of the road works themselves.
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
- Caused by Traffic Cones -
This would only be acceptable where there is encroachment into the road by the workers but not a serious interruption to traffic. You would deal with this in exactly the same manner that you would deal with any other stationary hazard. The cones are on your side of the road so you are the one that has to be prepared to give way.
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
- Caused by a worker with a Stop and Go pole -
There is usually only one of them at smaller road works but at larger road works there are sometimes two who will be in contact by walkie talkie. Simply follow the instruction on the pole and do not creep as close as you can get. As you approach the works you may see a sign saying something like "wait here". Use the holdback position but instead of basing it on the first cone, base it on the "wait here" sign. If there is no sign make sure that you leave a larger space than two car lengths. The point is that an articulated lorry may need to manoeuvre slightly to get around the last part of the works and they do require a lot of room.
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
- Caused by Temporary Traffic Lights -
On approach you will see a red and white sign before the lights saying "when red light shows stop here". I would actually advise you to stay back a couple of car lengths just in case. Do not forget to check your mirrors and perform a shoulder check just before you move away. It is easy for a motorbike or cyclist to move up on either side without you hearing it.
Country Lanes.
Passing on country lanes can be a pain if not done properly.
If there are no passing places then you will need to keep a check as you drive along on where the last place was that you came by that you could reverse to if it became necessary. If there is an oncoming vehicle and there is not enough space to pass then one of you will have to reverse. There is no way of saying who it should be but good manners dictates that if you know that there is somewhere suitable reasonably near to you that you should reverse to it. Otherwise you will just sit there staring at the other driver.
Sometimes it is possible to pass in tight circumstance if you are both prepared to put two wheels off the road. Be sensible when doing this though. If the surface at the side of the road looks too soft don't do it else you might not be able to get back on again.
Meet Situations
Meeting Oncoming Traffic
- Passing Places -
A passing place looks like a small lay-by and they are usually to be found at regular intervals on a narrow road. They may be on either side of the road or they may alternate depending upon the area available. As long as everyone knows the correct way to use them it is not a problem.
On your left.
If there is an oncoming vehicle and you get to the passing place first you should pull into it to allow the oncoming vehicle to pass. If the other vehicle gets there first then they should stop before it to allow you to pull into it.
On your right.
If there is an oncoming vehicle and you get to the passing place first you should stop before it to allow the other vehicle to pull into it. If they get there first they should pull in to allow you to pass.
You only use the passing places on your left.
