Junctions, Road Signs & Diagrams — Zimbabwe Driving Learners

🔵 Road Signs — Shapes, Colours & Classes (Section 18)

In Zimbabwe, road traffic signs are divided into 5 classes (A–E) as defined in the Highway Code (Section 18). Each class has a distinct shape and colour that tells you at a glance what action is required.

Yellow triangle, red border

⚠️ Class A — Danger Warning Signs

Shape: Upright triangle with red border and yellow/white background.
Purpose: Warn drivers of potential hazards ahead. They do not give orders — they alert you to take care.

Curves, sharp bends, double curves
Road narrows (left, right, or centrally)
Two-way traffic, narrow bridge, narrow grid
T-junctions, crossroads, Y-junctions
Steep descent / ascent, road humps
Children, pedestrians, pedestrian crossing ahead
Animals crossing, elephants/wildlife on road
Slippery road, gravel road, detour
Railway level crossing, physical barrier, traffic circle ahead
Robot (traffic light) ahead, road works ahead
Stop or Give Way sign ahead

Red circle

STOP octagon

Inverted triangle

Blue circle (command)

🔴 Class B — Regulatory Signs

Shape: Circular (red border = prohibition; blue = positive command); STOP sign is a unique octagon; Give Way is an inverted triangle.
Purpose: These signs must be obeyed by law. They either prohibit an action or command one.

Prohibition (red circle): Speed limits, no overtaking, no entry, turning prohibited, no parking, no stopping, mass/width/height limits
STOP (R1 — octagon): Come to a complete stop; give way to all traffic before proceeding
Give Way (R2 — inverted triangle): Give precedence to traffic on the major road
Command (blue circle): Direction to be followed, proceed left/right/straight, pedestrians/cyclists only
Reservation signs (blue rectangle with R): Portion of road reserved for buses, taxis, cyclists, etc.

Rectangle

Parking area

📋 Class C — Informative Signs

Shape: Rectangular (various colours — green/white for directions, blue for services/parking).
Purpose: Provide guidance, directions, distances, and service information. They give no orders.

Advance direction signs & advance information signs (place names, distances)
Distance signs (e.g. "GWERU 20")
Temporary road detour signs
Police Ahead sign (traffic must slow and expect to stop)
Dual carriageway ahead, one-way road direction
Hospital, first-aid facilities ahead
Derestriction sign — end of specially imposed speed limit
Car park, lay-by ahead, rest place ahead
Cycle track sign

Traffic light

Flashing amber

🚦 Class D — Traffic Light Signals

Any light that has to do with traffic control falls under this class.
The sequence of a robot (traffic light) is R → G → A → R → G → A… (Red, then Green, then Amber, repeating).

RED — STOP: Stop before the stop line and do not proceed
GREEN — PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Go if it is safe to do so
AMBER — WARNING TO STOP: Stop if you safely can; proceed only if already too close to stop
FLASHING AMBER: Give way to traffic approaching from your right, then proceed with caution
Arrow filters: Red with right arrow — may filter right if road is clear. Red with left arrow — may filter left if road is clear. Green arrow — proceed in direction shown only
Railroad level crossing flashing lights: Stop 3 metres from the rail; lights warn of a train's presence

Road markings

🛣️ Class E — Carriageway Markings

Shape: Lines, arrows, and patterns painted directly on the road surface.
Purpose: Regulate and guide traffic through road surface markings. Direction arrows used in conjunction with prohibition signs have regulatory effect.

Longitudinal lines: Demarcate the centre of the road
Continuous white line: You may NOT overtake — you cannot cross this line; keep to your left always
Continuous white line + broken white on your side: Car A (on broken side) may overtake; Car B (on solid side) cannot
Double prohibition line: No vehicle may at any time be driven on the right-hand side of this line
Yellow edge line: No motor vehicle shall cross or straddle the yellow line, except to overtake traffic turning right or to stop
Pedestrian crossing markings: Alternate black and white stripes — points other than road intersections
Direction arrows: Used in conjunction with prohibition signs — have regulatory effect

📖 Highway Code Rule: "Study them until you recognize and understand them individually and by class. Be constantly on the lookout for them, and take heed of the message the road authority is trying to convey to you." — Highway Code Section 18.2

🚗 Junctions — Right-of-Way Rules (Section 2.7)

Incorrect behaviour at road junctions often results in collisions. Never make or act on last-minute decisions — overrun the junction and return to it rather than swerve suddenly.

Approaching a Junction

Decide what you intend doing at the junction in sufficient time to take your correct position on the road before reaching it.
For a LEFT TURN: position as far to the LEFT of the road as possible.
For a RIGHT TURN: position as far to the RIGHT of your side of the road as possible.
Before entering a junction, SLOW DOWN and stop if necessary to give precedence to traffic that has the right of way.
Do not enter a junction unless you are satisfied that it is safe to do so.

Car A (blue) on the major road has priority. Cars B (red) and C (green) joining from minor roads must Give Way.

🛑 STOP Sign (R1)

Come to a complete stop behind the stop line. Give way to ALL vehicles and pedestrians before proceeding. Even if the road appears clear — you MUST stop.

🔺 GIVE WAY Sign (R2)

You need not necessarily stop, but must be ready to stop. Give way to vehicles on the major road or those with priority approaching from your right.

⬆️ Uncontrolled Junction

Give way to vehicles approaching from your RIGHT. The first vehicle to arrive often proceeds first if safe. Approach with extreme caution.

↩️ Turning Right

You MUST give way to oncoming traffic. NEVER turn right in front of oncoming traffic. Wait until the road is clear.

4-Way Stop (R1.4)

At a 4-way stop, every vehicle must stop. The vehicle that stopped first proceeds first. If simultaneous, the vehicle on the right has priority.

🚦 Traffic Lights

STOP on RED. GO on GREEN. AMBER: stop unless too close to the intersection. Traffic light instructions override all others except a police officer.

⚠️ Never overtake at a junction — it is an offence, unless: (i) the side road is controlled by a stop/yield sign AND your road has more than two lanes; (ii) the traffic is controlled by a traffic signal or police officer; or (iii) the other driver has indicated an intention to turn.

🔄 Traffic Circles & Roundabouts (Section 2.7)

When you come to a traffic circle around which traffic is already circulating, you must always give precedence to such traffic. It has absolute priority.

Car A (blue) already circulating has priority. Car B (red) must wait. Car C (orange) may enter if it won't interfere with circulating traffic.

Lane Discipline at Roundabouts

Turning Left (1st Exit): Approach in the left lane. Signal left on approach. Keep to left throughout.
Going Straight (Middle Exit): Use the left lane (unless markings say otherwise). Signal left after passing the exit before yours.
Turning Right (Last Exit): Approach in the right lane. Signal right on approach. Change to left signal after passing the exit before your own.
In the circle: Signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you want to take.
Mini-Roundabouts: Treat like normal roundabouts but proceed slowly with extra caution. All vehicles must circulate.

💡 Key Rule: You may enter the traffic circle if you can do so without getting in the way of, or causing drivers of circulating vehicles to brake to take avoiding action.

📦 Box Junctions (Section 2.7)

Box junctions have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road surface.

🚫 MUST NOT: Enter the box junction until your exit road or lane is clear. Even if traffic lights show green, you must not enter if you would become blocked in the box. Exception: when turning right, you may wait in the box if you are blocked only by oncoming traffic.

🏎️ Overtaking Rules (Section 2.9)

Pass other vehicles on the RIGHT only, unless the driver ahead has signalled turning right, or your road has two or more traffic lanes going in the same direction.

Before Overtaking — Check ALL of these:

✅ The road ahead is clear of traffic
✅ You have taken all precautions for changing lanes (Mirror – Signal – Blind Spot)
✅ You have warned the driver ahead that you want to pass
✅ You can successfully overtake without excessive speed or causing danger

Never Overtake:

🚫 In the face of oncoming traffic
🚫 Where road markings or signs forbid it
🚫 When visibility is bad (dust, rain, mist, smoke)
🚫 When approaching blind curves, blind rises, or blind corners
🚫 Another vehicle that has stopped to let pedestrians cross
🚫 On or approaching bridges, flyovers, tunnels
🚫 On or approaching level crossings
🚫 At pedestrian crossings
🚫 At a junction — unless specifically permitted by signs, signals, or the other driver's turn signal

⚠️ R214 — Overtaking Prohibited: This circular red-bordered sign prohibits overtaking for a distance of 500 metres beyond the sign. R215 applies specifically to goods vehicles.

🧩 Solving Complex "Y Car" Diagram Questions

In the provisional exam, you may be shown a diagram with multiple vehicles at an intersection and asked which has priority. Use this systematic approach:

1️⃣ Identify road type: Is there a STOP sign, GIVE WAY sign, traffic lights, or uncontrolled junction?
2️⃣ Find the major road: The broad line in diagrams usually marks the major road/through route.
3️⃣ Apply STOP rule: Any vehicle facing a STOP sign must have stopped and given way first.
4️⃣ Apply right-hand rule: At uncontrolled junctions, yield to vehicles approaching from your right.
5️⃣ Consider turning movements: A right-turning vehicle must yield to oncoming traffic.
6️⃣ Emergency vehicles: Fire engine, ambulance, police with beacon ALWAYS have precedence — move out of their course and stop.

📐 Junctions, Roundabouts & Road Signs