Internal road, traffic and residential zone
What is an internal road? What are traffic and residential zones? Are signs just as important on internal roads as on public roads and should they be followed? Learn the rules for moving on non-public and residential roads, in traffic and residential zones.
Driving courses teach the rules of driving on public roads. Therefore, non-public roads are treated a bit like a stepmother and it is no wonder that motorists do not always know how to use them safely, without breaking the changing road regulations. We have to admit that we do not always have the time and desire to follow changes in the highway code. The differences between internal roads, as well as traffic and residential zones are quite significant. However, they are easy to remember.
The internal road is a non-public road and does not have to be marked, although the Road Traffic Code provides for an appropriate sign (road sign) D-46 marking its beginning and D-47 the end of the internal road.
It can be a closed or open residential road. An internal road is always on private property, although it lies within the area of a given city, commune, district, province or State Treasury. According to road traffic regulations, a driver can do almost anything on an internal road. Everything, of course, within the limits of the law - in accordance with the penal code and what the owner of the road has not prohibited, i.e....
Sign D-46 Internal road
The rules for driving on an internal road are established by its owner. It is up to him to develop a road marking project and, after approval by the appropriate institutions, implement it in due time. The signs and traffic signals (e.g. traffic lights) must be adhered to and there are no exceptions to this. However, according to the rule: what is not prohibited is allowed - you can drive a vehicle on an internal road without any obstacles without having a driving license. There is no obligation to fasten seat belts or drive with the lights on. You can also freely leave your car with the engine running for longer than a minute. If there is no parking ban - you can park anywhere (but sensibly, leaving e.g. 1.5 meters for pedestrians on the pavement). However, there is a ban on driving under the influence of alcohol. It applies to all roads. You must also strictly respect the markings located along the internal road. You cannot in any way pose a threat to the safety of pedestrians or the traffic of other vehicles. It is also worth remembering that when leaving an internal road, we are joining traffic, which means we must give way to oncoming vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
The concept of a traffic zone has only existed since 2010. It is a non-public road, within which – unlike an internal road – all the rules of the Highway Code apply.
Sign D-52 Traffic zone
First of all, the vehicle must be roadworthy, with valid technical inspections. It is forbidden to drive without a driving license. It is obligatory to comply with the rules of the road, signs, and traffic signals located along the road. All traffic violations are punished in the same way as on public roads. The manager of the traffic zone is obliged to mark the beginning and end of the zone - the beginning is sign D-52, and the end is D-53. Every driver should remember that when leaving the zone, they join the traffic, and therefore they are obliged to give way to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.
The graphic signs with the symbols D-40 and D-41 are the designators of the beginning and end of the residential zone. They represent pedestrians and they are the most important in the residential zone area.
Why? Because pedestrians have absolute priority here. They are more important than vehicles and have the right to use the entire width of the road – the roadway and sidewalks. In addition, drivers can only park in designated places in the residential zone. Speed bumps do not have to be marked. In addition, the permitted speed is 20 km/h. It is also worth noting that when leaving the residential zone – every driver of a vehicle – joins the traffic. It is therefore their duty to give way to all road users on the public road. We give way not only to vehicles, but also to moving pedestrians and cyclists.
Sign D-40 Residential area
The differences between an internal road, a traffic zone and a residential zone are significant. Therefore, it is necessary to remember first of all that an internal road is a non-public road, and on a non-public road the rules of the road do not apply. We respect the road markings and signals. However, the highway code applies in the traffic zone. And in the residential zone, the most important participants of the pedestrian traffic are. However, when joining the traffic from non-public roads to public roads, we give way to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists moving on public roads.
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