Regulatory gestures

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The regulatory gestures of a qualified agent: raised arm, outstretched arms, facing you or turned away. What each one requires.

Coverage, Regulatory gestures

Lesson objectives

Know the three injunctions listed by article 4.2: arm raised vertically, arm(s) extended horizontally, transverse swinging of a red light. Identify who must stop according to their direction of approach , and know what must be done by those already engaged in the intersection. Place the injunctions in the hierarchy of article 6, and know the conditions of article 4.3.

The three fundamental gestures

Article 4.2 lists injunctions using the formula « are notably considered as injunctions », the list is therefore not exhaustive, but it provides three, and these are the ones the exam tests: the arm raised vertically ; the arm(s) extended horizontally ; the transverse swinging of a red light . They apply to all users, drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and take precedence over signaling and traffic rules (art. 6.1).

Gesture 1: Arm raised vertically = MANDATORY STOP

The arm raised vertically means stop for all users , but article 4.2, 1° qualifies the rule with an exception that the lesson omitted: « except for those already inside an intersection, who must clear it » . The stop applies therefore even if:

the traffic light is green ; a sign gave you priority ; you are approaching from the front, side or rear. Unless you are already inside the intersection : in that case, you do not stop, you clear it .

Example: raised arm at an intersection

An officer raises his arm at the center of an intersection. Three vehicles approach, from the front, side and rear: all three stop, even at a green light. A fourth is already engaged in the intersection: that one continues to exit it . This is the distinction that the exam tests.

Gesture 2: Arms extended horizontally = STOP front and rear

The one or more arms extended horizontally mean, according to article 4.2, 2°, stop for users coming from directions cutting those indicated by the arm(s) extended . The arm thus draws a passage axis : you cross this axis, you see the officer's chest or back: stop ; you travel along the axis, you see the officer in profile: proceed . A single extended arm is sufficient to give the order.

Golden rule: "The back and belly are walls"

This rule summarizes the horizontal gesture: if you see the officer from the front (facing his chest/belly) or from the rear (back to the officer), you must stop. If you see the officer in profile (to the side), you may proceed.

Example: horizontal arms

An officer extends both arms horizontally. A car approaches from the front (it sees the officer's chest): it must stop. A motorcycle approaches from the side (it sees the officer's profile): it may proceed. A bus approaches from the rear (back to the officer): it must stop.

Gesture 3: Rotating arm movement = Increase speed

The "rotating movement signifying acceleration" does not exist in the highway code: this block announced an invented order, and it has been replaced by the third real order of article 4.2. The transverse swinging of a red light , a red lamp shaken laterally, "means stop for drivers towards whom the light is directed ". This is the gesture used in night checks and accident interventions. It only targets those towards whom the lamp is pointed.

The whistle: attention, not an order

Sometimes an officer whistles. The whistle does not constitute an order . It is used only to draw your attention before giving a regulatory gesture. The whistle says: "Look at me to see what gesture I give you."

Verbal orders

A qualified officer may also give an order verbally: article 4.2 says "are in particular considered as orders", so the list of three gestures is not exhaustive. You must comply immediately (art. 4.1). Two additional points that were missing: Article 4.3 , an order addressed to a user in motion can only be given by an officer wearing the insignia of his function , recognizable day and night. Article 4.4 , any driver of a vehicle at rest or parked must move it as soon as an officer requests it; failing that, the officer may do so at the driver's risk and expense.

Absolute hierarchy of signals

Here is the order of priority you must remember:

Rank What takes precedence Basis 1 Orders of qualified officers art. 6.1 2 Road signalization, traffic lights, signs, road markings art. 6.2 3 Traffic rules art. 6.2 Traffic lights in operation render ineffective the priority signals on the same road, except flashing yellow-orange light, lights above crossings, signs B22 and B23 (art. 6.3)

Frequent exam trap

A green light never authorizes you to disregard an officer's order: "users must comply immediately with orders of qualified officers" (art. 4.1), and these take precedence over signalization and over rules (art. 6.1). The "−5 points" scale was removed: it corresponds to no text.

Exam situation: officer vs green light

You arrive at an intersection. The light is green, but an officer extends his arms horizontally and you are facing him. What do you do? You stop immediately. The officer's order takes precedence over the green light.

Qualified officer directing traffic at the intersection

Officer's gestures: raised arm and extended arms

Exam tip

In the exam, proceed in this order: identify the gesture , raised arm, extended arm(s), swinging red lamp, then your position relative to the officer, then check if you are already engaged in the intersection. The light and signs no longer matter once the order is given. And beware of suggestions that invent a gesture: there is no order meaning "accelerate".

Key points to remember

Arm raised vertically : stop for all, except those already in the intersection , who must evacuate it (art. 4.2, 1°). Arm(s) extended horizontally : stop for those coming from directions cutting across the axis of the arms ; others pass. A single arm is sufficient (art. 4.2, 2°). Transverse swinging of a red light : stop for drivers toward whom the light is directed (art. 4.2, 3°). No gesture means "accelerate". Whistle : it attracts attention; it is the gesture that follows which constitutes the injunction. Verbal injunctions : the list in article 4.2 is not exhaustive, "are notably considered as injunctions". Art. 4.3 : mandatory insignia to enjoin a moving user. Art. 4.4 : obligation to move a parked vehicle on request. Art. 6.1 : the agent takes precedence over all signage and all rules.

Congratulations!

First complete the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . You have completed this entire course. Congratulations, time for practice!

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