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Rush hourFrance

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
France

155. Rush hour

Rush hour is a period when roads and public transport networks experience particularly high demand, commonly because large numbers of people are travelling to or from work, school or other regular destinations. It usually occurs during the morning and late afternoon or evening on working days.

Rush-hour traffic can result in congestion, slower speeds, longer journeys and frequent stopping. Drivers should maintain a safe following distance, remain patient, anticipate changing traffic conditions and follow any temporary or dynamic traffic-management measures.

Rush hour
Passengers during the evening rush hour on Melbourne's train network. (Melbourne, Australia)
Wikimedia.org • MDRX • CC BY-SA
What is rush hour?

Rush hour is a period when unusually large numbers of people travel at the same time, resulting in increased traffic and often congestion.

When does rush hour occur?

Rush hour commonly occurs during the morning and late afternoon or evening on working days, but the exact times vary according to the city, road and local travel patterns.

Does rush hour always last one hour?

No. The term does not mean that congestion lasts exactly one hour. In busy urban areas, peak traffic conditions may continue for several hours.

Why does traffic become congested during rush hour?

Congestion develops when traffic demand approaches or exceeds the available road capacity. Intersections, merging traffic, collisions, roadworks and weather can make the congestion worse.

Should you increase your following distance in rush-hour traffic?

Yes. Leave sufficient distance to react to sudden braking and frequent changes in traffic speed. Avoid following another vehicle too closely even when traffic is moving slowly.

Should you frequently change lanes during congestion?

Unnecessary lane changes can create additional conflicts and may not significantly reduce journey time. Choose an appropriate lane, observe surrounding traffic and change lane only when it can be done safely.

Can speed limits change during rush hour?

Yes. Roads equipped with variable traffic management may display lower speed limits during congestion. Drivers must follow the speed limit currently indicated.

What is a rush-hour lane?

A rush-hour lane is an additional traffic lane that can be opened during busy periods to increase road capacity. It may use a lane or shoulder that is closed to normal traffic at other times.

Can you use a rush-hour lane whenever traffic is congested?

No. Such a lane may only be used when traffic signals or signs indicate that it is open. Never assume that congestion alone permits its use.

How can you prepare for a journey during rush hour?

Check current traffic conditions and expected journey times, allow additional travel time and consider an alternative route, departure time or mode of transport where appropriate.

1 France 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Advisory speed 9 Footpath 10 Bike path 11 Pedestrian warning 12 Tunnel 13 Bridge 14 Cycling street 15 Pedestrian zone 16 Speed bump 17 Toll road 18 Customs 19 One-way traffic 20 Quay 21 Slope 22 Bus lane 23 Bus stop 24 Dead end 25 Stop sign 26 Give way 27 Roundabout 28 Priority road 29 Road narrowing 30 Priority over oncoming traffic 31 Give way to oncoming traffic 32 Pedestrian crossing 33 Railway crossing 34 Mandatory direction 35 Turn prohibition 36 School area 37 Overtaking 38 Crossing animals 39 Slippery road 40 Rockfall 41 Aircraft 42 Curve 43 Chevron 44 Wrong-way driving 45 Roadworks 46 Crosswind 47 Height limit 48 Width limit 49 Length limit 50 Weight limit 51 Radar speed sign 52 Selective barriers 53 Low-emission zone 54 Priority at the next junction 55 Traffic lights 56 Traffic lights warning 57 Pedestrian lights 58 Road markings 59 Junction layout 60 Bike box 61 Speed feedback 62 Driving licence 63 Location marker 64 Road number 65 Countdown markers 66 Public toilet 67 Rest area 68 Traffic mirror 69 Emergency telephone 70 International border 71 Cycling route 72 End of restriction 73 Parking 74 No parking 75 No stopping 76 Parallel parking 77 Alternate-side parking 78 Parking meter 79 Parking disc 80 Disabled parking 81 Traffic management 82 Merging 83 Reversing 84 U-turn 85 Carpool 86 Traffic jam 87 Uncontrolled crossroad 88 Road surface 89 Ring road 90 Exit 91 Information point 92 Horse riding 93 Provisional licence 94 Hazardous cargo 95 Emergency exit 96 Runaway truck ramp 97 Radio service 98 Oversize load 99 Lane 100 Tyre inflation station ... 101 ATM 102 Bed and breakfast 103 Dock 104 Cable car 105 Café 106 Motorhome wastewater disposal 107 Ferry 108 Carsharing 109 Chairlift 110 City limit 111 Tram crossing 112 Truck ecotax 113 Hiking 114 Hospital 115 Hotel 116 Greenway 117 Picnic site 118 Playground 119 Restaurant 120 Road closed 121 Road open 122 Ski route 123 Winter equipment zone 124 Tourist attraction 125 Viewpoint 126 Horn 127 Axle weight limit 128 Licence plate 129 Charging station 130 Dangers 131 Weather 132 Tunnel category 133 Temporary sign 134 Turn on red 135 High voltage 136 Fire risk 137 Pedestrian 138 Cyclist 139 Moped 140 Motorcycle 141 Car 142 Truck 143 Bus 144 Police 145 Ambulance 146 Taxi 147 Tailgating 148 Tram lights 149 European emission standard 150 Pothole 151 Private property 152 Path 153 Particulates 154 Air pollution 155 Rush hour 156 Filling station 157 Road code 158 Two-way traffic 159 Street gutter 160 Cargo bike 161 Forestry vehicle 162 Construction vehicle 163 Semi-trailer truck 164 Trolleybus 165 Speed pedelec 166 Delivery vehicle 167 Idling 168 Tow truck 169 Four-wheel drive 170 No vehicles 171 Bicycle 172 Motorcycle equipment 173 Tram 174 Rail track 175 Caravan 176 Trailer 177 Tow hitch 178 Fire truck 179 Siren 180 Convoy 181 Emergency vehicle lighting 182 Tractor 183 Agricultural machinery 184 Electric bicycle 185 Electric vehicle 186 Pedelec 187 Quadricycle 188 Microcar 189 All-terrain vehicle 190 Van 191 Recreational vehicle 192 Scooter 193 Trikke 194 Personal mobility device 195 Skateboard 196 Segway 197 Kick scooter 198 Roller skates 199 Mailman 200 Hitchhiker 201 Toddler 202 Child 203 Disability 204 Motorail 205 Parking violation 206 km/h 207 mph 208 Speedometer 209 National speed 210 Rumble strip 211 Speed cushion 212 Ride height 213 Dirt road 214 Driving 215 Start-stop system 216 Manual transmission 217 Automatic transmission 218 Throttle 219 Tachometer 220 Steering wheel 221 Power steering 222 Visual scanning 223 Mirror 224 Fuel 225 Fuel gauge 226 Petrol 227 Diesel 228 Diesel exhaust fluid 229 Car insurance 230 First aid kit 231 Fire extinguisher 232 High-visibility clothing 233 First aid 234 Guardrail 235 Concrete step barrier 236 Bollards 237 Barriers 238 Vehicle lights 239 Street lights 240 Dipped beam 241 High beam 242 Fog lights 243 Front fog lights 244 Rear fog lights 245 Side lights 246 Turn signals 247 Hazard lights 248 Dashboard lights 249 Bicycle lighting 250 Bicycle bell 251 Headlight flashing 252 Seat belt 253 Child restraints 254 Head restraints 255 Airbag 256 ABS 257 Esp 258 Traction control system 259 Helmet 260 Bicycle helmet 261 Hands-free 262 Smartphone 263 GPS 264 Brake 265 Handbrake 266 Brake fluid 267 Tyres 268 Tyre code 269 Winter tyres 270 Tyre pressure 271 Snow chains 272 Bicycle tyre 273 Continuous track 274 Gross Vehicle Weight 275 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 276 Cargo 277 Car body 278 Trunk 279 Roof rack 280 Windscreen 281 Emergency hammer 282 Car battery 283 Traction battery 284 Suspension 285 Shock absorber 286 Spring 287 Exhaust 288 Exhaust gas 289 Soot 290 Catalytic converter 291 Engine 292 Petrol engine 293 Diesel engine 294 Electric motor 295 Timing belt 296 Glow plug 297 Cylinder 298 Engine oil 299 Coolant 300 Maintenance 301 Spare tyre 302 Flat tyre 303 Jack 304 Vehicle inspection 305 Key 306 Dashboard 307 Windscreen wiper 308 Doors 309 Glovebox 310 Visibility 311 Rain 312 Fog 313 Hail 314 Sunlight 315 Sunglasses 316 Salt 317 Air conditioning 318 Hydroplaning 319 Loose chippings 320 Distraction 321 Emotions 322 Road rage 323 Health 324 Epilepsy 325 Night blindness 326 Visual impairment 327 Fatigue 328 Defects 329 Traffic violation 330 Alcohol 331 Alcohol control 332 Ignition interlock device 333 Breath test 334 Breath analysis 335 Blood alcohol content 336 Blood test 337 Saliva test 338 Drugs 339 Medication 340 Penalties 341 Speeding 342 Smoking 343 Traffic enforcement camera 344 Double curve 345 Accident 346 Injuries 347 Nosebleed 348 Damage 349 Breakdown 350 Warning triangle 351 Traffic rules 352 Driving school 353 Traffic signs