Breakdown, towing and obstruction
| What the rule is | Where it goes wrong | What you do | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warning triangle | Required when the vehicle forms an obstacle approaching drivers cannot notice in time (art. 58(1)). About 30 metres behind, facing the danger (art. 58(2)). With hazard lights on, the duty lapses (art. 58(3)). | Thinking the triangle is always required. It belongs to the “poorly visible obstacle” situation, and hazard lights can replace it. | Place it as soon as your vehicle forms an obstacle others cannot see in time — at about 30 metres, and further back on a bend or crest. |
| Towing | Art. 53: forbidden if the distance from the rear of the towing vehicle to the front of the towed one is MORE than five metres. | Reading the five metres as a rule for the rope's length. It is a maximum for the gap between the vehicles, measured bumper to bumper. | Keep the distance between the vehicles under five metres and make the tow connection visible. |
| Bus pulling out from a stop | Art. 56(1): INSIDE built-up areas you give a bus the opportunity to pull out as soon as it signals its intention. | Applying the rule outside built-up areas — or without an indicator. Both conditions are in the text and apply together. | Inside a built-up area slow down as soon as the bus indicates, and let it pull out. |
| Passengers at a tram or bus | Art. 52: whoever wants to pass a STATIONARY tram or bus on the boarding side must give the passengers the opportunity to board or alight. | Thinking passing is forbidden. It is allowed — but only after people have boarded or alighted. It is a duty to give opportunity, not a ban. | Pass the stop at walking pace and with room — passengers step straight onto the carriageway. |
| Unnecessary noise | Art. 57: drivers of motor vehicles, moped and light-moped riders may not cause unnecessary noise. | Treating it as a night-time rule. The text names no hour: unnecessary noise is never allowed. | Do not rev to be heard and do not sound the horn to greet — the signal exists only for danger. |
| Holding a mobile device | Art. 61a: it is forbidden to HOLD a mobile electronic device while driving. The law names phone, tablet and media player explicitly. | Thinking it is about calling. What is forbidden is HOLDING — including to check the route, including at a red light, because that is still driving. | Put the device away before moving off — holding it is forbidden, including while stopped at a red light. |
The law itself
RVV1990 art. 58 lid 1RVV1990 art. 58 lid 2RVV1990 art. 58 lid 3RVV1990 art. 53RVV1990 art. 56 lid 1RVV1990 art. 52RVV1990 art. 57RVV1990 art. 61a
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