Geneva Convention on Road Traffic
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON ROAD AND MOTOR TRANSPORT
Geneva, 23 August — 19 September 1949
Final act
Convention on Road Traffic
Protocol concerning Countries or Territories at present occupied
Protocol on Road Signs and Signals
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CONFERENCE DES NATIONS UNIES
SUR LES TRANSPORTS ROUTIERS ET LES TRANSPORTS AUTOMOBILES
Genève, 23 août — 19 septembre 1949
Acte final
Convention sur la circulation routière
Protocole relatif aux pays ou territoires présentement occupés
Protocole relatif à la signalisation routière
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON ROAD AND MOTOR TRANSPORT
FINAL ACT
CONFERENCE DES NATIONS UNIES
SUR LES TRANSPORTS ROUTIERS ET LES TRANSPORTS AUTOMOBILES
ACTE FINAL
1. The United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport was convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations in accordance with resolution 147 В (VII) adopted by the Economic and Social Council on 28 August 1948. This resolution read as follows:
"The Economic and Social Council
"Instructs the Secretary-General:
"1. To convene a Conference of Governments, not later than August 1949, with the object of concluding a new world-wide Convention on Road and Motor Transport, the two world-wide Conventions of 1926, namely:
"(a) International Convention relating to Road Traffic,
"(b) International Convention relating to Motor Traffic,
and the subsequent Convention of 1931 on the Unification of Road Signals, being obsolete. The draft text of the Inland Transport Committee of the Economic Commission for Europe, resulting from a study by this Committee, and the text of the 1943 Convention on the Regulation of InterAmerican Automotive Traffic, inter alia, will serve as working-papers for the Conference;
"2. To request the Economic Commission for Europe to have the draft text referred to above completed and forwarded to the Secretary-General as soon as practicable;
"3. To invite the other regional commissions to submit any reports which they may desire on this subject;
"4. To circulate the above-mentioned texts to all the Governments invited to the Conference;
"5. To draw up a provisional agenda for the Conference;
"6. (a) To invite to participate in the Conference all States Members of the United Nations at die time of the convening of the Conference, and also the States not Members of the United Nations which were invited to participate in the United Nations Maritime Conference; and
(b) To request the Governments of the States invited to give their delegates full powers to sign, subject to ratification, such Convention as may be concluded at the Conference;
"7. To invite the specialized agencies, inter-governmental organizations and international organizations in this field, as may be appropriate, to send observers to the Conference;
"Decides that the right to vote at the Conference may be exercised 'by all States Members of the United Nations and those States not Members which are invited under paragraph 6 (a) above, and which are parties to any of the Conventions cited in paragraph 1 above." 2. The United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport met at Geneva, from 23 August 1949 to 19 September 1949.
The Governments of the following States were represented at the Conference by delegations:
|
Austria |
Luxembourg |
The Governments of the following States had observers at the Conference:
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Australia |
Ecuador |
The following organizations were represented by observers at the Conference:
A. Inter-governmental organizations:
International Labour Organisation
Interim Commission of the International Trade Organization
International Institute for the Unification of Private Law
B. Non-governmental organizations:
International Chamber of Commerce
International Transport Workers' Federation
International Organization for Standardization
International Road Transport Union
Permanent International Bureau of Motor Manufacturers
Comité général de l'Alliance Internationale de tourisme et de la Fédération internationale de l'automobile
League of Red Cross Societies
Inter-American Federation of Automobile Clubs.
3. The Conference had before it and used as a basis for discussion the draft Convention prepared by the Inland Transport Committee of the Economic Commission for Europe and the 1943 Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic.
4. On the basis of its deliberations, as recorded in the summary records of the respective committees and of the plenary meetings, the Conference prepared and opened for signature a Convention on Road Traffic.
5. In addition, the Conference prepared and opened for signature a Protocol on Road Signs and Signals.
6. The Conference further prepared and opened for signature a Protocol on the interpretation of chapter VII with respect to the accession to the Convention of countries or territories at present occupied.
7. In the course of its work the Conference reached certain other decisions, which are hereby placed on record:
(а) A resolution on the subject of International Tests in connexion with the Establishment of Acceptable Standards for the Illumination of Motor Car Passing Lights, the text of which is appended hereto;
(b) A resolution on Periodical Statements on Amendments to the Convention on Road Traffic, the text of which is appended hereto;
(c) A resolution on Further Problems relating to International Road Transport, the text of which is appended hereto;
(d) That there would be no objection to a reservation by the United Kingdom in respect of article 26 of the Convention on Road Traffic, in the following terms:
That cycles in international traffic admitted to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall, from nightfall and during the night or whenever atmospheric conditions render it necessary, show only a white light to the front, and show to the rear a red light, a red reflex reflector and a white surface in accordance with the domestic legislation of the United Kingdom;
(e) That there would be no objection to a reservation by Sweden and by Norway in respect of paragraph 5 of article 15 of the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals, to the following effect:
That the use of the Saint Andrew's Cross at level-crossings with gates shall be permitted in Sweden and in Norway;
(f) That there would be no objection to a reservation by Austria in respect of paragraph 1 of article 45 of the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals to the following effect:
That the signs for the special identification of routes in Austria may be either rectangular or circular in shape;
(g) Having in mind that the Convention on Road Traffic signed at Geneva on 19 September 1949, is, inter alia, intended to supersede the 1943 Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic, the Conference decided that the Secretary-General of the United Nations should be requested to have established an authoritative Spanish translation of the Convention on Road Traffic, and to add it to the English and French texts when transmitting certified copies thereof to the Governments in accordance with article 35 of the Convention;
(h) The Conference took into account the fact that it was not possible to reach an agreement now on a worldwide uniform system of road signs and signals which would be acceptable to all the countries concerned, and decided, therefore, to establish the Protocol mentioned under paragraph 5 above, including a set of signs and signals, for signature or accession by those countries which might desire to become party to it.
However, in view of the general desire to arrive at a later stage at the establishment of a common worldwide system of road signs and signals, the Conference was of the opinion that it would be desirable for the Economic and Social Council to entrust the Transport and Communications Commission with the task of reviewing the matter further with the assistance of such experts as might be needed, and of advising the Council on the further steps which should be taken subsequently to reach such a world-wide agreement on a uniform system.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned representatives have signed this Final Act.
Done at Geneva this nineteenth day of September one thousand nine hundred and forty-nine in a single copy
in the English and French languages, both texts authentic. The original will be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations who will send certified copies to each of the Governments invited to send representatives to the Conference.
AUSTRIA
HERMAN DAHLEN
BELGIUM
F. BLONDEEL
BULGARIA
D. DIANKOV
CHILE
RAMÓN RODRÍGUEZ
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
DR. JAROSLAV DVORAK
DENMARK
K. BANG
A. BLOM-ANDERSEN
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
T. F. FRANCO
EGYPT
A. K. SAFWAT
FRANCE
LUCIEN HUBERT
GUATEMALA
A. DUPONT-WlLLEMIN
INDIA
RAGHAVAN PILLAI
IRAN
GENERAL F. HOMAYOUNFAL
ISRAEL
M. KAHANY
M. LUBARSKY
ITALY
M. ENRICO MELLINI
LEBANON
J. MIKAOUI
LUXEMBOURG
R. LOGELIN
NETHERLANDS
J. J. OYEVAAR
NICARAGUA
NORWAY
AXEL RONNING
PHILIPPINES
RODOLFO MASLOC
POLAND
DR. T. BIASAGA
DR. S. MIELECH
F. WlCHRZYCKI
SWEDEN
GÖSTA HALL
SWITZERLAND
HEINRICH ROTHMUND
ROBERT PLUMEZ
PAUL GOTTRET
THAILAND
L. D. BHAKDI
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA
H. BRUNE
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
C. A. BIRTCHNELL
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HENRY H. KELLY
HERBERT S. FAIRBANK
YUGOSLAVIA
LJUB. KOMNENOVIC
The President of the Conference
J. J. OYEVAAR
The Executive Secretary
BRANKO LUKAC
OBSERVERS
Australia
F. FARAKER
Brazil
Canada
J. A. IRVIN
Ecuador
ALEX. GASTELÚ
Mexico
R. GONZÁLEZ SOSA
Turkey
RESOLUTION ON THE SUBJECT OF INTERNATIONAL TESTS IN CONNEXION WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS FOR THE ILLUMINATION OF MOTOR CAR PASSING LIGHTS
The United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport,
Noting that the Working Party on Traffic Conditions of the Economic Commission for Europe when preparing, in accordance with the request of the Economic and Social Council, the draft Provisions for Insertion in a Convention on Road and Motor Transport, had invited the International Organization for Standardization to submit draft provisions for the lighting of vehicles and for passing lights in particular, a question that ISO is studying in conjunction with the International Commission on Illumination (ICI),
After taking cognizance of the letter dated 29 July 1949 from the Chairman of the Netherlands National Committee of ICI to the Secretary-General of ISO, informing him that the Netherlands National Committee was prepared to carry out as from 26 September 1949 a series of comparative tests on motor car driving lights,
Seeing that neither ICI nor ISO is in a position to defray the out of pocket expenses of these tests which are estimated at 18,000 florins,
Recognizes that it is essential that these comparative tests be carried out within the shortest possible time limit with a view to a world agreement on provisions for motor car passing lights;
And accordingly recommends that the United Nations take the necessary measures to enable ICI to carry out the tests and communicate the results to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for transmission to the Governments invited to attend the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport.
RESOLUTION ON PERIODICAL STATEMENTS ON AMENDMENTS TO THE CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC
The United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport,
Considering that the solution adopted with regard to the procedure for amending the Convention on Road Traffic and the annexes thereto may, after some years, give rise to a situation in which States parties to the Convention would be severally bound by differing texts, With a view to keeping States accurately informed of the obligations arising for the various Contracting Parties from the adoption or rejection of a given amendment to the Convention and the annexes thereto,
Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Contracting States, whenever it is deemed necessary and in any case three years after the entry into force of the Convention, a Statement of the original and amended provisions which are applicable to the various Contracting States at the time of notification.
RESOLUTION ON FURTHER PROBLEMS RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT
The United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport,
(a) Considering the work that has already been done, is in progress and may be undertaken in future under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Europe and similar bodies,
Recommends that the Transport and Communications Commission review periodically the progress of this work and any other developments concerning international road transport and on the basis of these reviews advise the Economic and Social Council on what further international action is desirable whether by Conference or otherwise, and
(b) Considering the statement made by the representative of the Comité général de l'Alliance internationale de tourisme et de la Fédération internationale de l'automobile about the desirability of securing a wider adherence to the draft International Customs Convention on Touring, prepared under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Europe,
Requests the Secretary-General to bring to the notice of States the additional Protocol to the Agreement providing for the Provisional Application of the Draft International Customs Conventions on Touring, on Commercial Road Vehicles and on the International Transport of Goods by Road, signed at Geneva on 16 June 1949.
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON ROAD AND MOTOR TRANSPORT
CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC
CONFERENCE DES NATIONS UNIES
SUR LES TRANSPORTS ROUTIERS ET LES TRANSPORTS AUTOMOBILES
CONVENTION SUR LA CIRCULATION ROUTIERE
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ROAD AND MOTOR TRANSPORT
CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC
The Contracting States, desirous of promoting the development and safety of international road traffic by establishing certain uniform rules,
Have agreed upon the following provisions:
Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 1
1. While reserving its jurisdiction over the use of its own roads, each Contracting State agrees to the use of its roads for international traffic under the conditions set out in this Convention.
2. No Contracting State shall be required to extend the benefit of the provisions of this Convention to any motor vehicle or trailer, .or to any driver having remained within its territory for a continuous period exceeding one year.
ARTICLE 2
1. The annexes to this Convention shall be considered as integral parts of the Convention; it being understood, however, that any State may on signature or ratification of, or accession to, the Convention, or at any time thereafter, by declaration exclude annexes 1 and 2 from its application of the Convention.
2. Any Contracting State may at any time give notice to the Secretary-General of the United Nations that it will be bound, as from the date of the said notification, by annexes 1 and 2 as excluded under the terms of paragraph 1 of this article.
ARTICLE 3
1. Measures which all the Contracting States or certain of them may have agreed, or shall in the future agree, to put into effect with a view to facilitating international road traffic by simplifying customs, police, health or other requirements will be regarded as being in conformity with the object of this Convention.
2. (a) A bond or other form of security guaranteeing payment of any import duties and import taxes which would, in the absence of such security, be chargeable on the importation of any motor vehicle admitted to international traffic may be required by any Contracting State.
(b) A Contracting State shall accept for the purposes of this article the guarantee of an organization established in its own territory affiliated to an international association which has issued a valid international customs pass for the motor vehicle (such as a carnet de passages en douane).
3. For the fulfilment of the requirements provided for in this Convention the Contracting States will endeavour to keep open during the same hours customs offices and posts next to each other on the same international road. ARTICLE 4
1. For the purpose of this Convention the following expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
"International traffic" means any traffic which crosses at least one frontier;
"Road" means any way open to the public for the circulation of vehicles;
"Carriageway" means that portion of a road normally used by vehicular traffic;
"Lane" means any one of the parts into which the carriageway is divisible, each sufficient in width for one moving line of vehicles;
"Driver" means any person who drives a vehicle, including cycles, or guides draught, pack or saddle animals or herds or flocks on a road, or who is in actual physical control of the same;
"Motor vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle normally used for the transport of persons or goods upon a road, other than vehicles running on rails or connected to electric conductors. Any State bound by annex 1 shall exclude from this definition cycles fitted with an auxiliary engine of the type described in that annex;
"Articulated vehicle" means any motor vehicle with a trailer having no front axle and so attached that part of the trailer is superimposed upon the motor vehicle and a substantial part of the weight of the trailer and of its load is borne by the motor vehicle. Such a trailer shall be called a "semi-trailer";
"Trailer" means any vehicle designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle;
"Cycle" means any cycle not self-propelled. Any State bound by annex 1 shall include in this definition cycles fitted with an auxiliary engine of the type described in that annex;
"Laden weight" of a vehicle means the weight of the vehicle and its load when the vehicle is stationary and ready for the road, and shall include the weight of the driver and of any other persons carried for the time being;
"Maximum load" means the weight of the load declared permissible by the competent authority of the country of registration of the vehicle;
"Permissible maximum weight" of a vehicle means the weight of the vehicle and its maximum load when the vehicle is ready for the road.
ARTICLE 5
Chapter II
RULES OF THE ROAD
ARTICLE 6
Each Contracting State shall take appropriate measures to ensure the observance of the rules set out in this chapter.
ARTICLE 7
Every driver, pedestrian or other road user shall conduct himself in such a way as not to endanger or obstruct traffic; he shall avoid all behaviour that might cause damage to persons, or public or private property.
ARTICLE 8
1. Every vehicle or combination of vehicles proceeding as a unit shall have a driver.
2. Draught, pack or saddle animals shall have a driver, and cattle shall be accompanied, except in special areas which shall be marked at the points of entry.
3. Convoys of vehicles and animals shall have the number of drivers prescribed by domestic regulations.
4. Convoys shall, if necessary, be divided into sections of moderate length, and be sufficiently spaced out for the convenience of traffic. This provision does not apply to regions where migration of nomads occurs.
5. Drivers shall at all times be able to control their vehicles or guide their animals. When approaching other road users, they shall take such precautions. as may be required for the safety of, the latter.
ARTICLE 9
1. All vehicular traffic proceeding in the same direction on any road shall keep to the same side of the road, which shall be uniform in each country for all roads. Domestic regulations concerning one-way traffic shall not be affected.
2. As a general rule and whenever the provisions of article 7 so require, every driver shall:
(а) On two-lane carriageways intended for two-way traffic, keep his vehicle in the lane appropriate to the direction in which he is travelling;
(b) On carriageways with more than two lanes, keep his vehicle in the lane nearest to the edge of the carriageway appropriate to the direction in which he is travelling.
3. Animals shall be kept as near as possible to the edge of the road in accordance with domestic regulations.
ARTICLE 10
ARTICLE 11
1. Drivers when meeting or being overtaken shall keep as close as practicable to the edge of the carriageway on the side appropriate to the direction in which they are travelling. In overtaking, a driver shall pass on the left or the right of the overtaken vehicle or animal according to the rule observed in the country concerned. These rules shall not necessarily apply in the case of tramcars, trains on roads, and certain mountain roads.
2. On the approach of any vehicle or accompanied animal, drivers shall: (a) When meeting, leave sufficient space for the vehicle or accompanied animal coming from the opposite direction; (b) When being overtaken, keep as close as practicable to the appropriate edge of the carriageway and not accelerate.
3. Drivers intending to overtake shall make sure that there is sufficient room and sufficient visibility ahead to permit overtaking without danger. After overtaking they shall bring their vehicles back to the right or left hand side according to the rule observed in the country concerned, but only after making sure that this will not inconvenience the vehicle, pedestrian or animal overtaken.
ARTICLE 12
1. Every driver approaching a fork, crossroad, road junction or level-crossing shall take special precautions to avoid accidents.
2. Priority of passage may be accorded at intersections on certain roads or sections of road. 'Such priority shall be marked by signs and every driver approaching such a road or section of road shall be bound to yield the right of way to drivers travelling, along it.
3. The provisions of annex 2 regarding the priority of passage at intersections not covered by paragraph 2 of this article shall be applied by the States bound by the said annex.
4. Every driver before starting to turn into a road shall:
(а) Make sure that he can do so without danger to other road users;
(b) Give adequate notice of his intention to turn;
(c) Move over as far as practicable to the edge of the carriageway on the side appropriate to the direction in which he is travelling if he wishes to turn off the road on that side;
(d) Move as near as practicable towards the middle of the carriageway if he wishes to leave the road and turn to the other side, except as provided for in paragraph 2 of article 16;
(e) In no case hamper the traffic coming from the opposite direction.
ARTICLE 13
1. Stationary vehicles or animals shall be kept off the carriageway if feasible, or, if not, as close as practicable to the edge of the carriageway. Drivers shall not leave vehicles or animals until they have taken all necessary precautions to avoid an accident. 2. Vehicles and animals shall not be left waiting where they are likely to cause danger or obstruction, and in particular at or near a road intersection, a bend or the top of a hill.
ARTICLE 14
All necessary precautions shall be taken to ensure that the load of a vehicle shall not be a cause of damage or danger.
ARTICLE 15
1. From nightfall and during the night, or when atmospheric conditions render it necessary, every vehicle or combination of vehicles on a road shall show at least one white light in front and at least one red light in the rear.
When a vehicle, other than a cycle or a motor-cycle without sidecar, is provided with only one white light in front, this shall be placed on the side nearest to traffic coming from the opposite direction.
In countries where two white front lights are obligatory, such lights shall be placed one on the right and one on the left of the vehicle.
The red light may be produced either by a device distinct from that which produces the white light or lights in front or by the same device when the vehicle is short enough and so arranged as to permit this.
2. In no case shall a vehicle have a red light or a red reflector directed to the front or a white light or a white reflector directed to the rear. This provision shall not apply to a white or yellow reversing light in cases where the domestic legislation of the country of registration of the vehicle permits such lights.
3. Lights and reflex reflectors shall be such as to ensure that the vehicle is clearly indicated to other road users.
4. Any Contracting State or subdivision thereof may, provided that all measures are taken to guarantee normal conditions of safety, exempt from certain provisions of this article:
(a) Vehicles used for special purposes or under special conditions;
(b) Vehicles of special shape and kind;
(c) Stationary vehicles on adequately lighted roads.
ARTICLE 16
1. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to trolleybuses.
2. (a) Cyclists shall use cycle tracks where there is an obligation to do so indicated by an appropriate sign, or where such obligation is imposed by domestic regulations;
(b) Cyclists shall proceed in single file where circumstances so require and, except in special cases provided for in domestic regulations, shall never proceed more than two abreast on the carriageway;
(c) Cyclists shall not be towed by vehicles;
(d) The provisions of paragraph 4 (d) of article 12 shall not apply to cyclists where domestic regulations provide otherwise. Chapter III
SIGNS AND SIGNALS
ARTICLE 17
1. With a view to ensuring a homogeneous system, the road signs and signals adopted in each Contracting State shall, as far as possible, be the only ones to be placed on the roads of that State. Should it be necessary to introduce any new sign, the shape, colour and type of symbol employed shall conform with the system in use in that State.
2. The number of approved signs shall be limited to such as may be strictly necessary. They shall be placed only at points where they are essential.
3. The danger signs shall be placed at a sufficient distance from the object indicated to give road users adequate warning.
4. The affixing to an approved sign of any notice not related to the purpose of such sign and liable to obscure it or to interfere with its character shall be prohibited.
5. All boards and notices which might be confused with the approved signs or make them more difficult to read shall be prohibited.
Chapter IV
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
ARTICLE 18
1. In order to be entitled to the benefits of this Convention, a motor vehicle shall be registered by a Contracting State or subdivision thereof in the manner prescribed by its legislation.
2. A registration certificate containing at least the serial number, known as the registration number, the name or the trade mark of the maker of the vehicle, the maker's identification or serial number, the date of first registration and the full name and permanent place of residence of the applicant for the said certificate shall be issued either by the competent authority or by an association duly empowered to do so.
3. This certificate shall be accepted by all Contracting States as prima facie evidence of the information entered thereon.
ARTICLE 19
1. Every motor vehicle shall display at least at the back on a special plate or on the vehicle itself, a registration number issued or allotted by the competent authority. In the case of a motor vehicle drawing one or more trailers the single trailer or the last trailer shall display the registration number of the drawing vehicle or its own registered number.
2. The composition of the registration number and the manner in which it is displayed shall be as set out in annex 3.
ARTICLE 20
1. Every motor vehicle shall in addition to the registration number display at the back, inscribed on a plate or on the vehicle itself, the distinguishing sign of the place of registration of this vehicle. This sign shall indicate either a State or a territory which constitutes a distinct unit from the point of view of registration. In the case of a motor vehicle drawing one or more trailers this sign shall also be displayed at the back of the single trailer or of the last trailer.
2. The composition of the distinguishing sign and the manner in which it is displayed shall be as set out in annex 4.
ARTICLE 21
Every motor vehicle and trailer shall carry the identification marks set out in annex 5.
ARTICLE 22
1. Every motor vehicle and trailer shall be in good working order and in such safe mechanical condition as not to endanger the driver, other occupants of the vehicle or any person upon the road, or cause damage to public or private property.
2. In addition, every motor vehicle, or trailer, and its equipment shall conform to the provisions of annex 6 and the driver of every motor vehicle shall observe the rules set out therein.
3. The provisions of this article shall apply to trolleybuses.
ARTICLE 23
1. The maximum dimensions and weights of vehicles permitted to travel on the roads of each Contracting State or subdivision thereof shall be matters for domestic legislation. On certain roads designated by States Parties to regional agreements or, in the absence of such agreements, by a Contracting State, the permissible maximum dimensions and weights shall be those set out in annex 7.
2. The provisions of this article shall apply to trolleybuses.
Chapter V
DRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
ARTICLE 24
1. Each Contracting State shall allow any driver admitted to its territory who fulfils the conditions which are set out in annex 8 and who holds a valid driving permit issued to him, after he has given proof of his competence, by the competent authority of another Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by an association duly empowered by such authority, to drive on its roads without further examination motor vehicles of the category or categories defined in annexes 9 and 10 for which the permit has been issued.
2. A Contracting State may however require that any driver admitted to its territory shall carry an international driving permit conforming to the model contained in annex 10, especially in the case of a driver coming from a country where a domestic driving permit is not required or where the domestic permit issued to him does not conform to the model contained in annex 9.
3. The international driving permit shall, after the driver has given proof of his competence, be delivered by the competent authority of a Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by a duly authorized association, and sealed or stamped by such authority or association. The holder shall be entitled to drive in all Contracting States without further examination motor vehicles coming within the categories for which the permit has been issued.
4. The right to use the domestic as well as the international driving permit may be refused if it is evident that the conditions of issue are no longer fulfilled.
5. A Contracting State or a subdivision thereof may withdraw from the driver the. right to use either of the above-mentioned permits only if the driver has committed a driving offence of such a nature as would entail the forfeiture of his driving permit under the legislation and regulations of that Contracting State. In such an event, the Contracting State or subdivision thereof withdrawing the use of the permit may withdraw and retain the permit until the period of the withdrawal of use expires or until the holder leaves the territory of that Contracting State, whichever is the earlier, arid may record such withdrawal of use on the permit and communicate the name and address of the driver to the authority which issued the permit.
6. During a period of five years beginning with the entry into force of this Convention, any driver admitted to international traffic under the provisions of the International Convention relative to Motor Traffic signed at Paris on 24 April 1926, or of the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic opened for signature at Washington on 15 December 1943, and holding the documents required thereunder, shall be considered as fulfilling the requirements of this article.
ARTICLE 25
The Contracting States undertake to communicate to each other such information as will enable them to establish the identity of persons holding domestic or international driving permits when they are liable to proceedings for a driving offence. They further undertake to make known the information required to establish the identity of the owner or the person in whose name a foreign vehicle which has been involved in a serious accident is registered.
Chapter VI
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO CYCLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
ARTICLE 26
Every cycle shall be equipped with:
(а) At least one efficient brake;
(b) An audible warning device consisting of a bell, to the exclusion of any other audible warning, device, capable of being heard at a reasonable distance;
(c) A white or yellow light in front and a red light or a red reflex reflector in the rear from nightfall and during the night or when atmospheric conditions render it necessary. Chapter VII
FINAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 27
1. This Convention shall be open, until 31 December 1949, for signature by all States Members of the United Nations and by every State invited to attend the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport held at Geneva in 1949.
2. This Convention shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
3. From 1 January 1950, this Convention shall be open for accession by those of the States referred to in paragraph 1 of this article which have not signed this Convention and by any other State which the Economic and Social Council may by resolution declare to be eligible. It shall also be open for accession on behalf of any Trust Territory of which the United Nations is the Administering Authority.
4. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 28
1. Any State may, at the time of signature, ratification or accession, or at any time thereafter, declare, by notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, that the provisions of this Convention will be applicable to all or any of the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible. These provisions shall become applicable in the territories named in the notification thirty days after the date of receipt of such notification by the Secretary-General or, if the Convention has not entered into force at that time, then upon the date of its entry into force.
2. Each Contracting State, when circumstances permit, undertakes to take as soon as possible the necessary steps in order to extend the application of this Convention to the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible, subject, where necessary for constitutional reasons, to the consent of the governments of such territories.
3. Any State which has made a declaration under paragraph 1 of this article applying this Convention to any territory for the international relations of which it is responsible may at any time thereafter declare by notification given to the Secretary-General that the Convention shall cease to apply to any territory named in the notification and the Convention shall, after the expiration of one year from the date of the notification, cease to apply to such territory.
ARTICLE 29
This Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of the deposit of the fifth instrument of ratification or accession. This Convention shall enter into force for each State ratifying or acceding after that date on the thirtieth day after the deposit of its instrument of ratification or accession.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall notify each of the signatory or acceding States and every other State invited to attend the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport of thé date on which this Convention enters into force. ARTICLE 30
This Convention shall terminate and replace, in relations between the Contracting States, the International Convention relative to Motor Traffic and the International Convention relative to Road Traffic signed at Paris on 24 April 1926, and the Convention on the Regulation of InterAmerican Automotive Traffic opened for signature at Washington on 15 December 1943.
ARTICLE 31
1. Any amendment to this Convention may be proposed by any Contracting State. The text of such proposed amendment shall be communicated to the Secretary-General of the United ^Nations who shall transmit it to each Contracting State with a request that such State reply within four months stating whether it:
(а) Desires that a conference be con vented to consider the proposed amendment; or
(b) Favours the acceptance of the proposed amendment without a conference; or
(c) Favours the rejection of the proposed amendment without a conference.
The proposed amendment shall also be transmitted by the Secretary-General to all States, other than Contracting States, invited to attend the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport
2. The Secretary-General shall convene a conference of the Contracting States to consider the proposed amendment, if the convening of a conference is requested:
(а) By at least one-quarter of the Contracting States in the case of a proposed amendment to any part of the Convention other than the annexes;
(b) By at least one-third of the Contracting States in the case of a proposed amendment to an annex other than annexes 1 and 2;
(c) In the case of annexes 1 and 2 by at least one-third of the States bound by the annex to which an amendment has been proposed.
The Secretary-General shall invite to the Conference such States, other than Contracting States, invited to attend the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport or whose participation would, in the opinion of the Economic and Social Council, be desirable.
The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in cases where an amendment to the Convention has been adopted in accordance with paragraph 5 of this article.
3. Any amendment to this Convention which shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of a conference shall be communicated to all Contracting States for acceptance. Ninety days after its acceptance by two-thirds of the Contracting States each amendment to the Convention, except for those to annexes 1 and 2, shall enter into force for all the Contracting States except those which, before it enters into force, make a declaration that they do not adopt the amendment.
For the entry into force of any amendment to annexes 1 and 2 the majority shall be two-thirds of the States bound by the amended annex.
4. The Conference may by a two-thirds majority vote determine at the time of the adoption of an amendment to this Convention, except for those to annexes 1 and 2, that the amendment is of such a nature that any Contracting State which has made a declaration that it does not accept the amendment and which then does not accept the amendment within a period of twelve months after the amendment enters into force shall, upon the expiration of this period, cease to be a party to the Convention.
5. In the event of a two-thirds majority of the Contracting States informing the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 1 (b) of this article that they favour the acceptance of the amendment without a conference, notification of their decision shall be communicated by the Secretary-General to all the Contracting States. The amendment shall upon the expiration of ninety days from the date of such notification become effective as regards all the Contracting States except those States which notify the Secretary-General that they object to such an amendment within that period.
6. As regards amendments to annexes 1 and 2, and any amendment not within the scope of paragraph 4 of this article, the existing provisions shall remain in force in respect of any Contracting State which has made a declaration or lodged an objection with respect to such an amendment.
7. A Contracting State which has made a declaration in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of this article, or has lodged an objection in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of this article to an amendment, may withdraw such declaration or objection at any time by notification addressed to the Secretary-General. The amendment shall be effective as regards that State upon receipt of such notification by the Secretary-General.
ARTICLE 32
This Convention may be denounced by means of one year's notice given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall notify each signatory or acceding State thereof. After the expiration of this period the Convention shall cease to be in force as regards the Contracting State which denounces it.
ARTICLE 33
Any dispute between any two or more Contracting States concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention, which the Parties are unable to settle by negotiation or by another mode of settlement, may be referred by written application from any of the Contracting States concerned to the International Court of Justice for decision.
ARTICLE 34
Nothing in this Convention shall be deemed to prevent a Contracting State from taking action compatible with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and limited to the exigencies of the situation which it considers necessary for its external or internal security.
ARTICLE 35
1. The Secretary-General shall, in addition to the notifications provided for in article 29, paragraphs 1, 3 and 5 of article 31 and article 32, notify the States referred to in paragraph 1 of article 27 of the following:
(a) Declarations by Contracting States that they exclude annex 1, annex 2, or both of them, from the application of the Convention in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2;
(b) Declarations by Contracting States that they shall be bound by annex 1, annex 2, or both of them, in accordance with paragraph 2 of article 2;
(c) Signatures, ratifications and accessions in accordance with article 27;
(d) Notifications with regard to the territorial application of the Convention in accordance with article 28;
(e) Declarations whereby States accept amendments to the Convention in accordance with paragraph 3 of article 31;
(f) Objections to amendments to the Convention communicated by States to the Secretary-General in accordance with paragraph 5 of article 31;
(g) The date of entry into force of amendments to the Convention in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 5 of article 31;
(h) The date on which a State has ceased to be a Party to the Convention, in accordance with paragraph 4 of article 31;
(i) Withdrawals of objections to an amendment in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 31;
(l) The list of States bound by any amendment to the Convention;
(k) Denunciations of the Convention in accordance with article 32;
(j) Declarations that the Convention has ceased to apply to a territory in accordance with paragraph 3 of article 28;
(m) Notifications with respect to distinctive letters made by States in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of annex 4.
2. The original of this Convention shall be deposited with the Secretary-General who will transmit certified copies thereof to the States referred to in paragraph 1 of article 27.
3. The Secretary-General is authorized to register this Convention upon its entry into force.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned representatives, after having communicated their full powers, found to be in good and due form, have signed this Convention.
DONE at Geneva, in a single copy, in the English and French languages, both texts authentic, this nineteenth day of September, one thousand nine hundred and forty-nine. AFGHANISTAN
ALBANIA
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
HERMAN DAHLEN
BELGIUM
F. BLONDEEL
BOLIVIA
BRAZIL
BULGARIA
BURMA BIRMANIE
BYELORUSSIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC
CANADA CHILE
CHINA
COLOMBIA
COSTA RICA
CUBA
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph I, of this Convention, annex 2 from the application of the Convention.
V. OUTRATA
December 28th, 1949.*
DENMARK
К. BANG
A. BLOM-ANDERSEN
Subject to a declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention, excluding annex 1 from its application of the Convention.**
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
T. F. FRANCO
En déclarant exclure, conformément à l'article 2, (paragraphe 1 de la présente Convention, les annexes 1 et 2 de l'application de la Convention et en renouvelant la réserve concernant le paragraphe 2 de l'article premier de la Convention faite déjà en séance plénière.***
T. F. F.
Traduction du Secrétariat des Nations Unies:
* Excluant l'annexe 2 de l'application de la Convention, conformément au paragraphe 1 de l'article 2 de la présente Convention.
** Sous réserve d'une déclaration faite conformément au paragraphe 1 de l'article 2 de la présente Convention et visant à exclure l'annexe 1 de l'application de la Convention.
Translation by the Secretariat of the United Nations:
*** Subject to a declaration made by the signatory in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention excluding annexes 1 and 2 from the application of the Convention, and to renewal of the reservation already made at a plenary meeting with regard to paragraph 2 of article 1 of the Convention. ECUADOR
EGYPT
A. K. SAFWAT
EL SALVADOR
ETHIOPIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
LUCIEN HUBERT
Se référant à l'annexe 6, chiffre IV, alinéa b), le Gouvernement français déclare qu'il ne peut admettre qu'une seule remorque derrière un véhicule tracteur et qu'il n'en admettra pas derrière un véhicule articulé*.
L. H.
GREECE
GUATEMALA
HAITI
HONDURAS
Translation by the Secretariat of the United Nations: * With reference to annex 6, section IV, paragraph (b), the French Government states that it will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle and that it will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer. HUNGARY
ICELAND
INDIA
N. RAGHAVAN PILLAI
IRAN
IRAQ
IRELAND
ISRAEL
M. KAHANY
M. LUBARSKY
ITALY
M. ENRICO MELLINI
LEBANON
(Sous reserve de ratification**)
J. MIKAOUI
Traduction du Secrétariat des Nations Unies:
* Sous réserve d'une déclaration faite conformément au paragraphe 1 de l'article 2 de la présente Convention et visant à exclure les annexes:1 et 2 de l'application de la Convention.
Translation, by the Secretariat of the United-Nations:
** Subject to ratification. LIBERIA
LUXEMBOURG
R. LOGELIN
MEXICO
NETHERLANDS
J. J. OYEVAAR
NEW ZEALAND
NICARAGUA
NORWAY
AXEL RONNING
A. R.
PAKISTAN
PANAMA
PARAGUAY
PERU
Traduction du Secrétariat des Nations Unies: * Sous réserve d'une déclaration faite conformément au paragraphe 1 de l'article 2 de la présente Convention et visant à exclure l'annexe 1 de l'application dé la Convention. PHILIPPINES
RODOLFO MASLOG
POLAND
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
SAUDI ARABIA
SWEDEN
GÖSTA HALL
SWITZERLAND
HEINRICH ROTHMUND
ROBERT PLUMEZ
PAUL GOTTRET
SYRIA
THAILAND
TRANSJORDAN
TURKEY
Traduction du Secrétariat des Nations Unies: * Sous réserve d'une déclaration faite conformément au paragraphe 1 de l'article 2 de la présente Convention et visant à exclure l'annexe 1 de l'application de la Convention. UKRAINIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA
H. BRUNE
UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
C. A. BIRTCHNELL
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HENRY H. KELLY
HERBERT S. FAIRBANK
URUGUAY
VENEZUELA
YEMEN
YUGOSLAVIA
LJUB. KOMNENOVIĆ
Traduction du Secretariat des Nations Unies:
* Sous reserve d'une déclaration faite conformément au paragraphe 1 de l'article 2 de la présente Convention et visant à exclure les annexes 1 et 2 de l'application de la Convention.
ANNEXES
Annex 1
ADDITIONAL PROVISION CONCERNING DEFINITIONS OF MOTOR VEHICLE AND CYCLE
Cycles fitted with an auxiliary internal combustion engine having a maximum cylinder capacity of 50 cm3 (3.05 cu. in.) shall not be considered as motor vehicles, provided that they retain all the normal characteristics of cycles with respect to their structure.
Annex 2
PRIORITY OF PASSAGE
1. When any two vehicles are simultaneously approaching a road intersection by roads of which one does not enjoy priority over the other, the vehicle approaching from the left in countries where the direction of traffic is on the right, and from the right in countries where the direction of traffic is on the left, shall yield the right of way to the other vehicle.
2. The right of priority shall not necessarily apply in the case of tramcars and trains on roads.
Annex 3
REGISTRATION NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
1. The registration number of a vehicle shall consist either of figures or of figures and letters. The figures shall be in Arabic numerals as used in United Nations documents and the letters in Latin characters. When other numerals or characters are used, they shall be repeated in the numerals or characters of the types mentioned above.
2. The number shall be legible in normal daylight at a distance of 20 m (65 feet).
3. When the registration number is displayed on a special plate, this plate shall be fixed in a vertical or nearly vertical position and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle itself. When the number is fixed to or painted on the vehicle itself, this shall be done on a vertical or nearly vertical surface at the back of the vehicle.
4. The rear registration number shall be illuminated as prescribed in annex 6. Annex 4
DISTINGUISHING SIGN OF VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
1. The distinguishing sign shall be composed of one to three letters in capital Latin characters. The letters shall have a minimum height of 80 mm (3.1 in.) and their strokes a width of 10 mm (0.4 in.). The letters shall be painted in black on a white ground of elliptical form with the major axis horizontal.
2. If the distinguishing sign is composed of three letters, the dimensions of the ellipse shall be at least 240 mm (9.4 in.) in width and 145 mm (5.7 in.) in height. The dimensions may be reduced to 175 mm (6.9 in.) in width and 115 mm (4.5 in.) in height if the sign carries less than three letters.
As regards the distinguishing signs for motorcycles, the dimensions of the ellipse, whether the sign is composed of one, two or three letters, may be reduced to 175 mm (6.9 in.) in width and 115 mm (4.5 in.) in height.
3. The distinctive letters for the different States and territories are as follows:
Annex 5
IDENTIFICATION MARKS OF VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
1. The identification marks shall comprise:
(a) In the case of a motor vehicle:
(i) The name or the trade mark of the maker of the vehicle,
(ii) On the chassis or, in the absence of a chassis, on the body, the maker's identification or serial number,
(iii) On the engine, the maker's engine number if such a number is placed thereon by the maker;
(b) In the case of a trailer, either the information referred to in (i) and (ii) above or an identification mark issued for the trailer by the competent authority.
2. The marks mentioned above shall be placed in accessible positions and shall be in a form easily legible and not capable of being easily removed or altered.
Annex 6
TECHNICAL CONDITIONS CONCERNING THE EQUIPMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
I. BRAKING
(a) Braking of motor vehicles other than motor cycles with or without side-cars
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with brakes capable of controlling the movement of and of stopping the vehicle in an efficient, safe and rapid way under any conditions of loading on any up or down gradient on which the vehicle is operated.
The braking shall be operated by means of two devices so constructed that, in the event of failure of one of the braking devices, the other shall be capable of stopping the vehicle within a reasonable distance.
For the purpose of this annex, one of these braking devices will be called the "service brake" and the other one the "parking brake".
The parking brake shall be capable of being secured, even in the absence of the driver, by direct mechanical action.
Either means of operation shall be capable of applying braking force to wheels symmetrically placed on each side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
The braking surfaces shall always be connected with the wheels of the vehicle in such a way that it is not possible to disconnect them otherwise than momentarily by means of a clutch, gear box or free wheel.
One at least of the braking devices shall be capable of acting on braking surfaces directly attached to the wheels of the vehicle or attached through parts not liable to failure. (b) Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle with or without sidecar and capable of exceeding 20 km (12 miles) per hour on the level shall be equipped with two white, or yellow passing lights fitted at the front of the vehicle and capable when necessary of adequately illuminating the road at night in clear weather in front of the vehicle for a distance of 30 m (100 feet) without causing glare or dazzle to other road users whatever the direction of the traffic may be.
Passing lights shall be used instead of driving lights in all cases when the use of lights causing no dazzle or glare is necessary or compulsory.
(c) Every motor cycle with or without sidecar shall have at least one driving light and one passing light conforming to the provisions of (a) and (¿>) of this part. However, motor cycles with an engine of a maximum cylinder capacity of 50 cm3 (3.05 cu. in.) may be excluded from this obligation.
(d) Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with two white position (side) lights at the front. These lights shall be clearly visible at night time in clear weather at a distance of 150 m (500 feet) from the front of the vehicle without causing any glare or dazzle to other road users.
The part of the illuminating surface of these lights furthest from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall be as near as possible to and in no case further than 400 mm (16 in.) from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.
Position (side) lights shall be shown at night time in all cases when the use of such lights is compulsory and at the same time as the passing lights if no part of the illuminating surface of the lamps of the passing lights is within 400 mm (16 in.) of the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.
(e) Every motor vehicle and every trailer at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped at the rear with at least one red light visible at night time in clear weather at a distance of 150 m (500 feet) from the rear of the vehicle.
(f) The registration number displayed at the rear of a motor vehicle or a trailer shall be capable of illumination at night time in such a manner that it can be read in clear weather at a distance of 20 m (65 feet) from the rear.
(g) The red rear light or lights and the light for the rear registration number shall be shown at the same time as any of the following: position (side) lights, passing lights or driving lights.
(h) Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with two red reflex reflectors preferably of other than triangular form, fitted symmetrically at the rear and on opposite sides of the vehicle. The outer edges of each of these reflectors must be as near as possible to and in no case further than 400 mm (16 in.) from the outer edges of the vehicle. These reflectors may be incorporated in the rear red lamps if these lamps comply with the above requirements. These reflectors shall be visible at night time in clear weather from a distance of at least 100 m (325 feet) when illuminated by means of two driving lights. (i) Every motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with a red reflex reflector preferably of other than triangular form, fitted at the rear of the vehicle, either incorporated in, or separate from, the rear red lamp and shall comply withthe conditions of visibility mentioned under paragraph (A) of this part.
(j) Every trailer and every articulated vehicle shall be equipped with two red reflex reflectors, preferably triangular in shape, fitted symmetrically at the rear and on opposite sides of the vehicle. These reflectors shall be visible at night time in clear weather from a distance of at least 100 m (325 feet) when illuminated by means of two driving lights.
When the reflectors are triangular in shape, the triangle shall be equilateral, with sides of at least 150 mm (6 in.) and shall be upright in position. The outer corner of each of these reflectors shall be as near as possible to and in no case further than 400 mm (16 in.) from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.
(k) With the exception of motor cycles, every motor vehicle and every trailer at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one stop light at the rear showing a red or amber light. This light shall be actuated upon application of the service brake of the motor vehicle. If the stop light is red in colour and is either incorporated in, or associated with, the rear red light, its intensity shall be greater than that of the rear red light. The stop light shall not be required on trailers and semi-trailers when their dimensions are such that the stop light of the drawing vehicle remains visible from the rear.
(l) When a motor vehicle is equipped with direction indicators, such indicators shall be one of the following:
(i) A moveable arm protruding beyond each side of the vehicle and illuminated by a steady amber light when the arm is in the horizontal position;
(ii) A constantly blinking or flashing amber light affixed to each side of the vehicle;
(iii) A constantly blinking or flashing light placed at each side of the front and rear of the vehicle. The colour of such lights shall be white or orange towards the front and red or orange towards the rear.
(m) No lights, with the exception of direction indicators, shall be flashing or blinking lights.
(n) If a vehicle is equipped with several lights of the same kind, they shall be of the same colour and, except in the case of motor cycles with sidecars, two of these lights shall be placed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
(o) Several lights may be incorporated in the same lighting device provided each of these lights complies with the appropriate provisions of this part.
III. OTHER CONDITIONS
(a) Steering apparatus
(b) Driving mirror
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least one driving mirror of adequate dimensions so placed as to enable the driver to view from his seat the road to the rear of the vehicle. However, this provision shall not be compulsory for motor cycles with or without sidecar.
(c) Warning devices
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least one audible warning device of sufficient strength which shall not be a bell, gong, siren or other strident toned device.
(d) Windscreen wiper
Every motor vehicle fitted with a windscreen shall have at least one efficient windscreen wiper functioning without requiring constant control by the driver. However, this provision shall not be compulsory for motor cycles with or without sidecars.
(e) Windscreens
Windscreens shall be made of a stable substance, transparent and not likely to produce sharp splinters if broken. The objects seen through this substance shall not appear distorted.
(f) Reversing device
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a reversing device controlled from the driver's seat if the weight of the motor vehicle when empty exceeds 400 kg (900 Ibs.).
(g) Exhaust silencer
Every motor vehicle shall have an exhaust silencer in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, the working of which cannot be interrupted by the driver while on the road.
(h) Tires
The wheels of motor vehicles and their trailers shall be fitted with pneumatic tires, or with some other tires of equivalent elasticity.
(i) Device to prevent a vehicle from running down a gradient
When travelling in a mountainous region of a country where it is required by domestic regulations, any motor vehicle of which the permissible maximum weight exceeds 3,500 kg (7,700 Ibs.) shall carry a device, such as a scotch or chock, which can prevent the vehicle from running backwards or forwards.
(j) General provisions
(i) In so far as possible the machinery or accessory equipment of any motor vehicle shall not entail a risk of fire or explosion, nor cause the emission of noxious gases or offensive odours or produce disturbing noises, nor be a source of danger in case of collision.
(ii) Every motor vehicle shall be so constructed that the driver shall be able to see ahead, to the right and to the left, clearly enough to enable him to drive safely.
(iii) The provisions relating to braking and lighting shall not apply to invalid carriages which comply with the domestic regulations in the country of registration as regards brakes, lights and reflectors. For the purpose of this paragraph "invalid carriage" shall mean a motor vehicle whose unladen weight does not exceed 300 kg (700 Ibs.), whose speed does not exceed 30 km (19 miles) per hour, and which is specially designed and constructed (and not merely adapted) for the use of a person suffering from some physical defect or disability and is normally used by such person. Provisions
Annex 7
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
1. This annex applies to highways designated in accordance with article 23.
2. On these roads the permissible maximum dimensions and weights, unladen or with load, provided that no vehicle shall carry a maximum load in excess of that declared permissible by the competent authority of the country in which it is registered, shall be as follows:
MetresFeet
(d) Permissible maximum weight: MetriciansLbs.
1 The provisions of part IV of annex 6 concerning combinations of vehicles shall also apply to the combinations of vehicles mentioned in this annex.
2 An axle weight shall be denned as the total weight transmitted to the road by all wheels the centres of which can be included between two parallel transverse vertical planes 1.00 m (40 inches) apart extending across the full width of the vehicle.
(iii) Per vehicle, articulated vehicle or other combination:
3. Contracting States may conclude regional agreements increasing the permissible maximum weights beyond those in the list. It is suggested, however, that the permissible maximum weight per most heavily loaded axle should not exceed 13 metric tons (28,660 lbs.).
4. When any Contracting State designates roads to which this annex shall apply, it shall indicate the maximum dimensions or weights provisionally permissible for traffic on such roads:
(а) Where they have ferries, tunnels or bridges which would restrict the passage of vehicles of the dimensions and weights permitted in this annex;
(b) Where their character or condition calk for the restriction of die circulation of such vehicles on them.
5. Special traffic authorizations for vehicles or combinations of vehicles exceeding the maximum dimensions or weights given herein may be issued by any Contracting State or subdivision thereof.
6. Any Contracting State or subdivision thereof may limit or prohibit the operation of motor vehicles upon any designated road to which this annex shall apply or impose restrictions as to the weight of vehicles to be operated upon any such road for a limited period, whenever any such road by reason of deterioration, heavy rain, snow, thawing or other unfavourable climatic conditions would be seriously damaged by vehicles of the weights normally permitted. UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON ROAD AND MOTOR TRANSPORT
PROTOCOL
CONCERNING COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES
AT PRESENT OCCUPIED
CONFERENCE DES NATIONS UNIES
SUR LES TRANSPORTS ROUTIERS ET LES TRANSPORTS AUTOMOBILES
PROTOCOLE
RELATIF AUX PAYS OU TERRITOIRES
PRESENTEMENT OCCUPES
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ROAD AND MOTOR TRANSPORT
PROTOCOL CONCERNING COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES AT PRESENT OCCUPIED
It is agreed that nothing in chapter VII of the Convention on Road Traffic shall be deemed to prevent the Economic and Social Council from addressing invitations to any country or territory at present occupied to accede to the Convention, or to prevent accession to the Convention by or on behalf of such country or territory.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned representatives have signed this Protocol.
DONE at Geneva this nineteenth day of September 1949 in a single copy in the English and French languages, both texts authentic. The original will be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations who will send certified copies to each of the Governments invited to send representatives to the Conference. AFGHANISTAN
ALBANIA
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
BELGIUM
F. BLONDEEL
BOLIVIA
BRAZIL
BULGARIA
BURMA
BYELORUSSIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC
CANADA CHILE
CHINA
COLOMBIA
COSTA RICA
CUBA
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
DENMARK
K. BANG
A. BLOM-ANDERSEN
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
T. F. FRANCO
ECUADOR
EGYPT
A. K. SAFWAT
EL SALVADOR
ETHIOPIA FINLAND
FRANCE
LUCIEN HUBERT
GREECE
GUATEMALA
HAITI
HONDURAS
HUNGARY
ICELAND
INDIA
N. RAGHAVAN PILLAI
IRAN
IRAQ
IRELAND
ISRAEL ITALY
M. ENRICO MELLINI
LEBANON
Sous réserve de ratification*
J. MIKAOUI
LIBERIA
LUXEMBOURG
R. LOGELIN
MEXICO
NETHERLANDS
J. J. OYEVAAR
NEW ZEALAND
NICARAGUA
NORWAY
AXEL RONNING
PAKISTAN
PANAMA
Translation by the Secretariat of the United Nations:
* Subject to ratification. PARAGUAY
PERU
PHILIPPINES
RODOLFO MASLOG
POLAND
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
SAUDI ARABIA
SWEDEN
GÖSTA HALL
SWITZERLAND
HEINRICH ROTHMUND
ROBERT PLUMEZ
PAUL GOTTRET
SYRIA
THAILAND TRANSJORDAN
TURKEY
UKRAINIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA
H. BRUNE
UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
C. A. BIRTCHNELL
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HENRY H. KELLY
HERBERT S. FAIRBANK
URUGUAY
VENEZUELA
YEMEN
YUGOSLAVIA UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON ROAD AND MOTOR TRANSPORT
PROTOCOL
ON ROAD SIGNS AND SIGNALS
CONFERENCE DES NATIONS UNIES
SUR LES TRANSPORTS ROUTIERS ET LES TRANSPORTS AUTOMOBILES
PROTOCOLE
RELATIF A LA SIGNALISATION ROUTIERE
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ROAD AND MOTOR TRANSPORT
PROTOCOL ON ROAD SIGNS AND SIGNALS
The States Parties to this Protocol, desiring to ensure the safety of road traffic and to facilitate international road traffic by a uniform system of road signalling,
Have agreed upon the following provisions:
Part I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 1
The Contracting Parties to this Protocol accept the system of road signalling described herein and undertake to introduce it, as soon as possible. For this purpose they will erect the signs set out in this Protocol as and when new signs are put up or those now in existence are renewed. Signs which do not conform to the system provided in this Protocol shall be completely replaced within a period not exceeding ten years from the date of the coming into force of this Protocol in respect of each of the Contracting Parties.
ARTICLE 2
The Contracting Parties to this Protocol undertake to replace as soon as it comes into force, signs which, although they have the distinguishing features of a sign belonging to the system provided in this Protocol are used with a different meaning.
Part II
ROADSIDE TRAFFIC SIGNS
Chapter I
GENERAL
ARTICLE 3
The international system of roadside traffic signs shall comprise three classes of signs, namely:
(a) Danger signs;
(b) Signs giving definite instructions subdivided into:
(i) Prohibitory signs,
(ii) Mandatory signs;
(c) Informative signs subdivided into:
(i) Indication signs, (ii) Advance direction signs and direction signs,
(iii) Place and route identification signs.
ARTICLE 4
There shall be a distinctive shape for each class of sign.
ARTICLE 5
1. The symbols as indicated on the signs shown in the tables appended to this Protocol shall be accepted by the Contracting Parties as the fundamental basis of their roadside traffic signs. As a rule they shall appear within the signplate.
2. Where Contracting Parties consider it necessary to modify the symbols, these modifications shall be such as not to alter the essential character of the symbols.
3. For the purpose of facilitating the interpretation of the signs additional information may be given on a rectangular plate below the sign.
4. Where an inscription is used within or below a sign, it shall be in the national language or languages, and if so desired in one of the official languages of the United Nations.
5. New symbols created by Contracting Parties in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 17 of the Convention on Road Traffic opened for signature at Geneva on 19 September 1949, shall be communicated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall notify all Contracting Parties.
ARTICLE 6
1. The colours used on the signs, symbols and inscriptions shall be those prescribed in this Protocol, unless exceptional conditions make them impracticable.
2. Where the colours to be used are optional, each country shall employ the same colours for any one class of signs used under the same conditions.
3. The reverse side of signs shall be of a neutral colour except in the case of the signs III, C.1a,b and symbol II, A.15 when affixed to the reverse side of sign II, А.14.
ARTICLE 7
The reflecting devices used shall not dazzle road users nor obscure the legibility of the symbol or the inscription.
ARTICLE 8
1. The dimensions of sign plates shall be such that the sign can be easily seen from a distance and easily understood near at hand.
2. The dimensions of various signs shall be standardised in each country so as to ensure the maximum uniformity. In general, two sizes shall be used for each type, namely, a standard size and a reduced size for use where conditions do not permit or the safety of road users does not require the erection of the standard size. In exceptional circumstances, a special small type sign may be used inside built-up areas or for repeating the main sign.
ARTICLE 9
1. Outside built-up areas, the centre line of the signs shall be not more than 2 m from the nearside edge of the carriageway unless special circumstances render this impracticable.
2. In built-up areas and mountainous country, the distance between the edge of the sign nearest the carriageway and a vertical line drawn from the edge of the carriageway shall be not less than 0.50 m. In exceptional cases, however, this distance may be reduced.
ARTICLE 10
1. In this Protocol the height of signs above the ground shall mean the height of the lower edge of the signs from the level of the crown of the road.
2. So far as possible a uniform height shall be observed over the same route.
Chapter II
CLASS I. DANGER SIGNS
ARTICLE 11
1. The danger signs shall be in the shape of an equilateral triangle with one point upwards except in the case of sign "PRIORITY ROAD AHEAD" (I, 22) which shall have a point downwards.
2. These signs shall have a red border with white or light yellow ground. Symbols shall be black or dark.
3. For signs of the standard size, the length of each side of the triangle shall be not less than 0.90 m and for the reduced size, not less than 0.60 m.
4. The signs shall be placed on the traffic side of the road appropriate to the direction of the traffic concerned. They may be repeated on the other side of the road.
5. Unless otherwise provided hereafter in this Protocol, the signs shall be placed at not less than 150 m and not more than 250 m from the hazard unless this is impracticable on account of local conditions. In such exceptional cases the sign shall be erected at less than 150 m, but as far as possible from the hazard and special provisions shall be made.
6. The height of signs shall be not more than 2.20 m and, outside built-up areas, not less than 0.60 m.
7. The signs shall be so placed as not to be obscured or cause an obstruction to pedestrians.
ARTICLE 12
The sign "UNEVEN ROAD" (I,1) shall be used as the approach sign for such road conditions as an uneven road or a hump bridge.
ARTICLE 13
1. The sign "DANGEROUS BEND" or "DANGEROUS BENDS" (I,2) shall be used only as the approach sign for a bend or bends which are dangerous owing to their physical characteristics or to reduced visibility.
2. Each Contracting Party may elect the above sign, signs giving a clearer bend or bends. Such substitution shall the territory of the Contracting Party alternative signs are:
I, 3 — right bend
I, 4 — left bend
I, 5 — double bend, the first to the right
I, 6 — double bend, the first to the left.
ARTICLE 14
The sign "ROAD INTERSECTION" (I, 7) shall be used as the approach sign for a fork, crossroads or road junction. In built-up areas this sign shall only be used in exceptional cases.
ARTICLE 15
1. The sign "LEVEL-CROSSING WITH GATES" (I, 8) shall be used as the approach sign to each level-crossing with gates.
2. The sign "LEVEL-CROSSING WITHOUT GATES" (I, 9) shall be used as the approach sign to each level-crossing without gates whether provided with automatic signals or not.
3. On roads with a large volume of motor traffic during the night, the signs referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, shall be adequately illuminated or provided with reflectors or reflecting material.
4. The gates of level-crossings shall be painted in stripes of red and white or red and light yellow. Alternatively, they may be painted white or light yellow with a large central red disc. In order to make gates more visible at night they shall be provided either with a red light or with red reflectors or a flood-light illuminating the gate whenever it is not fully open.
5. At all level-crossings without gates there shall be placed, in the immediate vicinity of the railway line, a sign in the form of a Saint Andrew's cross or a rectangular signplate, on which this symbol is displayed against a neutral background (I, 10 and I, 11). In order to avoid confusion level-crossings with gates shall not be provided with this sign. The Saint Andrew's cross, or in any case its lower arms, may be double if there are two tracks or more. It shall be painted in red and white or in red and light yellow.
6. The provisions of the preceding paragraphs of this article shall apply to all railways other than local lines and tramways. Outside built-up areas, signs concerning level-crossings on local lines and tramways shall have the same characteristics, shapes and meanings as on railways other than local lines and tramways. As regards the use of the signs, referred to in this article, however, certain simplifications or exceptions may be allowed by any Contracting Party, especially in the case of roads of minor local traffic importance or where a tramway level-crossing is coincident with a road intersection.
7. In the case of parts of local railways or tramways situated in built-up areas, and also of connecting-lines to factory sidings or other parts of railway lines assimilable to connecting-lines, the system to be applied shall be left to the Contracting Party.
ARTICLE 16
1. The sign "DANGEROUS HILL" (I, 12) shall be used wherever the competent authorities deem it necessary, as the approach sign for a dangerous descent. The descent must be steeper than ten per cent or the local conditions such that it constitutes a danger.
2. The gradient shall be shown on the sign, as for example, in diagrams I, 12a and I, 12b.
ARTICLE 17
The sign "CARRIAGEWAY NARROWS" (I, 13) shall be used, wherever the competent authorities deem it necessary, as the approach sign to a place where the carriageway narrows in such a manner that it may constitute a danger.
ARTICLE 18
The sign "OPENING BRIDGE" (I, 14) shall be used, wherever the competent authorities deem it necessary, as the approach sign to a bridge that can be opened.
ARTICLE 19
1. The sign "ROAD WORKS" (I, 15) shall be used as the approach sign to works on the road.
2. The limits of the roadworks shall be clearly indicated at night.
ARTICLE 20
The sign "SLIPPERY CARRIAGEWAY" (I, 16) shall be used, wherever the competent authorities deem it necessary, as the approach sign to a section of the carriageway which, under certain conditions, may have a slippery surface.
ARTICLE 21
1. The sign "PEDESTRIAN CROSSING" (I, 17) shall be used, wherever the competent authorities deem it necessary, as the approach sign to a pedestrian crossing. The marking of pedestrian crossings shall be decided upon by the competent authorities.
2. The provisions of paragraph 5 of article 11 of this Protocol are not applicable to this sign.
ARTICLE 22
1. The sign "CHILDREN" (I, 18) shall be used, wherever the competent authorities deem it necessary, as the approach sign to places frequented by children, such as a school or a playground.
2. The provisions of paragraph 5 of article 11 of this Protocol shall not apply to this sign.
ARTICLE 23
ARTICLE 24
The sign "INTERSECTION WITH A NON-PRIORITY ROAD" (I, 20) shall be used wherever the competent authorities deem it necessary on a priority or a major road as an approach sign to an intersection with a nonpriority road, in the territory of any Contracting Party where the use of such a sign corresponds to traffic rules.
ARTICLE 25
1. The sign "OTHER DANGER" (I, 21) shall be used, wherever the competent authorities deem it necessary, as the approach sign for a danger other than those indicated in articles 12 to 24 of this Protocol.
2. However, an inscription in black or dark colour defining the danger, such as a roundabout, limited headroom or width, ferry or falling rocks, may be placed within the sign in substitution for the symbol.
3. This sign shall always contain the symbol or an inscription or both.
4. An additional rectangular plate bearing an inscription or a symbol in current use in the territory of any Contracting Party may be placed underneath the sign.
ARTICLE 26
In the territory of any Contracting Party where atmospheric conditions do not permit the use of the full sign, a hollow red triangle may be used to indicate the different dangers referred to in articles 12 to 25. A rectangular plate shall always be placed below the triangle on which the appropriate symbol or inscription or both of them shall be given to indicate the danger.
ARTICLE 27
1. The sign "PRIORITY ROAD AHEAD" (I, 22) shall be used to indicate to a driver that he shall give way to vehicles moving along the road which he is approaching.
2. This sign shall be placed on roads without priority at a suitable distance from the intersection, which may be in open country up to 50 m and in built-up areas up to 25 m.
It is recommended that there shall also be placed on such roads, as near to the intersection as practicable, a suitable position sign, mark or line.
3. The sign I, 22 may be optionally preceded, in particular where no sign "ROAD INTERSECTION" (I, 7) is erected, by an advance sign consisting of sign 1,22 supplemented by a rectangular plate bearing an indication of the distance from the intersection, as shown in diagram I, 22a. The advance sign shall be repeated after every minor intersection until the priority or a major road is reached.
Chapter III
CLASS II. SIGNS GIVING DEFINITE INSTRUCTIONS
ARTICLE 28
1. The signs of this class indicate an order, which may be either in the nature of a prohibition or of an obligation, issued by the competent authorities. 2. The signs of this class shall be circular in shape.
3. Except as regards the sign II, A.16, the diameter shall be at least 0.60 m for signs of standard size and at least 0.40 m for the reduced size. In the case of signs II, A. 15, 17, 18 and II, B.I, 2, the diameter may be reduced to 0.20 m if intermediate signs are used.
4. The signs shall be placed on the side of the road appropriate to the direction of the traffic and facing the traffic concerned. They may be repeated on the other side of the road.
5. The signs shall be placed in the immediate vicinity of the point where the prohibition or obligation starts or continues. Nevertheless, the signs prohibiting turning or showing the direction to be followed may be placed at a suitable distance in advance.
6. The height of signs shall not be more than 2.20 m and not less than 0.60 m.
II, A. PROHIBITORY SIGNS
ARTICLE 29
Except where otherwise specified or shown in the diagrams of this Protocol, the colours of prohibitory signs shall be as follows: white or light yellow, with a red border, the symbol being black or of a dark colour.
ARTICLE 30
The signs indicating traffic prohibitions shall be the following:
(а) The sign "CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES (IN BOTH DIRECTIONS)" (II, A.I);
(b) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR ALL VEHICLES" (II, A.2); this sign shall be red with a white or light horizontal bar;
(c) The sign "TURNING TO THE RIGHT (OR TO THE LEFT) PROHIBITED" (II, A.3); the arrow shall be turned towards the right or left according to the relevant prohibition;
(d) The sign "OVERTAKING PROHIBITED" (II, A.4); this sign shall be used to indicate that overtaking is prohibited for all motor vehicles. Where the left-hand rule of the road is observed, the colours of the two cars illustrated shall be reversed.
ARTICLE 31
The signs indicating prohibition for certain classes of vehicles shall be the following:
(а) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT MOTOR CYCLES WITHOUT SIDECARS" (II, А.5);
(b) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR MOTOR CYCLES WITHOUT SIDECARS" (II, A.6);
(c) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLES" (II, A.7);
(d) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR GOODS CARRYING VEHICLES EXCEEDING . . . TONS LADEN WEIGHT" (II, А.8);
(e) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR PEDAL CYCLISTS" (II, A.9). ARTICLE 32
The signs indicating restrictions on the dimensions, or weight or speed of vehicles shall be the following:
(а) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES HAVING OVERALL WIDTH EXCEEDING . . . METRES (. . . FEET)" (II, A.10);
(b) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES HAVING OVERALL HEIGHT EXCEEDING . . . METRES (. . . FEET)" (II, A.11);
(c) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES EXCEEDING . . . TONS LADEN WEIGHT" (II, A.12); an additional rectangular plate indicating special traffic rules or the maximum number of vehicles permitted on a bridge may be affixed underneath this sign;
(d) The sign "NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES HAVING AN AXLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING . . . TONS" (II, A.13);
(e) The sign "SPEED-LIMIT" (II, A.14) ; an additional rectangular plate with a red edge bearing an inscription concerning the details of the imposed speed-limit may be affixed underneath this sign;
(f) The symbol "END OF SPEED-LIMIT" (II, A.15) (white or light yellow ground with an oblique black or dark coloured bar) shall be used to indicate the point at which the effect of the sign "SPEED-LIMIT" ceases; it may be affixed to the reverse side of sign II, A.14 even though, as a result, it would not be placed on the side of the road appropriate to the direction of the traffic.
ARTICLE 33
1. The sign "STOP AT INTERSECTION" shall be used in cases where this is required by traffic rules to indicate that a driver shall stop before entering a priority or a major road.
2. This sign shall consist of a red triangle with the point downwards inscribed within a red circle. The triangle may have the word "Stop" as shown in the diagram II, A.16.
3. The diameter of this sign shall be at least 0.90 m for the sign of standard size and at least 0.60 m for the reduced size.
4. This sign shall be placed at roads without priority, at a suitable distance from the intersection, up to 50 m in open country and up to 25 m in built-up areas.
It is recommended that there should also be placed on this road a suitable position sign, mark or line, as near to the intersection as practicable.
5. The sign II, A.16 may be optionally preceded, in particular where no sign "ROAD INTERSECTION" (I, 7) is erected, by an advance sign consisting of sign I, 22 supplemented by a rectangular plate bearing an indication of the distance from the intersection as shown in diagram I, 22a.
The advance sign shall be repeated after every minor intersection until the priority or a major road is reached. ARTICLE 34
1. The sign "STOP (CUSTOMS)" (II, A.17) shall be used to indicate the presence of a customs house at which the traveller has to stop.
The word "Customs" shall appear on the sign. The translation of the word "Customs" in a language of the neighbouring territory may be added (II, A.17).
2. This sign may be used to indicate other obligations to stop; in this case the inscription "Customs" shall be replaced by an inscription indicating the reason for the stop.
ARTICLE 35
1. The sign "RESTRICTED STOPPING OR WAITING" (II, A.18) shall be used to indicate restricted or prohibited waiting and the prohibition of stopping a vehicle. The centre of this sign shall be blue with a diagonal red bar surrounded by a red border.
2. In the absence of any explanatory inscription the sign shall be used to indicate a permanent prohibition of waiting.
3. Inscriptions may be placed on a plate placed underneath the sign or on the sign itself, specifying:
(а) The hours between which the prohibition of waiting apply,
(b) The duration of authorized waiting,
(c) The days upon which waiting is permitted alternately on one or other side of the road,
(d) The exceptions applicable to particular categories of vehicles, provided that such, inscriptions shall not detract from the general meaning nor make the sign ambiguous or unclear.
4. An inscription "STOPPING PROHIBITED", placed on a plate under the sign or on the sign itself, shall indicate that the stopping of a vehicle is prohibited.
5. Contracting Parties which have previously adopted the sign "WAITING PROHIBITED" (red disc with circular centre in white or pale yellow bearing the letter P with a diagonal red stroke) for the prohibition of prolonged parking of vehicles with or .without their drivers, shall provisionally be at liberty to retain their system unchanged. However, the sign II, A.18 is the only sign adopted in this Protocol for this purpose and Contracting Parties are strongly recommended to adopt this sign for stopping or parking of vehicles in their territories in accordance with the principles set out in paragraphs 1 to 4 above.
II, B. MANDATORY SIGNS
ARTICLE 36
1. The colour of mandatory signs shall be as follows: blue ground with a white symbol.
2. Mandatory signs are the following:
(a) The sign "DIRECTION TO BE FOLLOWED" (II, B.I ); it is permissible to adopt variations of the symbol on this sign in order to meet special cases; (b) The sign "COMPULSORY CYCLE TRACK" (II, B.2) which shall be used to indicate that cyclists shall use the special track reserved for them.
Chapter IV
CLASS III. INFORMATIVE SIGNS
ARTICLE 37
1. The signs of this class shall be rectangular in shape.
2. Where the colours to be used are optional, the colour red shall in no case predominate.
Ill, A. INDICATION SIGNS
ARTICLE 38
1. The sign "PARKING" (III, A.I) shall be used to indicate authorized parking places.
2. This sign shall be square in shape.
3. The side of the square shall be at least 0.60 m for the sign of standard size and 0.40 m for the sign of reduced size.
4. The sign shall be placed facing the traffic or facing across the carriageway.
5. The colour of the sign shall be blue and the colour of the letter P white.
6. A rectangular plate under the sign may be used for inscriptions giving the period during which parking is allowed or indicating the direction of the parking place.
ARTICLE 39
1. The sign "HOSPITAL" shall bemused to indicate to the drivers of vehicles that they should take the precautions required in the proximity of medical establishments and, in particular, to refrain from making unnecessary noise.
2. This sign shall consist of the symbol H above the word "Hospital" as shown in diagram III, A.2.
3. The colour of the sign shall be blue and the inscription white.
4. The sign shall be placed facing the traffic.
ARTICLE 40
1. The signs indicating auxiliary service posts are the following:
(а) The sign "FIRST-AID STATION" (III, A.3 and III, A.4) which shall be used to indicate that there is in the neighbourhood a first-aid station organized by an officially recognized association;
(b) The sign "MECHANICAL HELP" (III, A.5) which shall be used to indicate that there is a service station in the neighbourhood;
(c) The sign "TELEPHONE" (III, A.6) which shall be used to indicate that there is a telephone in the neighbourhood;
(d) The sign "FILLING STATION" (III, A.7) which shall be used to indicate that there is a filling station within the distance indicated on the sign. 2. The shorter side of the rectangle of the signs provided for in this article shall be placed horizontally. The colour shall be blue, with a black or dark symbol on a white square. In the case, however, of the signs III, A.3 or III, A.4, the symbol shall be red. The side of the square shall be at least 0.30 m. In the case, however, of the sign III, A.7, a white rectangle with the shorter side horizontal shall be substituted for the square.
3. The signs described in (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 1 may be erected where the authorities concerned deem it necessary.
ARTICLE 41
1. The beginning of a priority road may be indicated by the sign "PRIORITY ROAD" (III, A.8).
2. The sign may also be repeated along priority roads.
3. The end of a priority road shall be indicated by the sign "END OF PRIORITY" (III, A.9) where the sign III, A.8 has been used.
4. The sign III, A.9 may be also used to indicate approach to the end of a priority road. In such a case, a rectangular plate shall be added underneath the sign, indicating the distance at which the priority ends, as shown in diagram III, A.9a.
5. The signs provided for in this article shall be square with one point downwards.
6. The side of the square shall be at least 0.60 m for the standard size and at least 0.40 m for the reduced size and 0.25 m for signs repeated within built-up areas.
7. The border of the signs provided for in this article shall be white with a black or dark rim on the outside and the centre shall be yellow. In the case of sign III, A.9, the transverse bar shall be black or dark.
8. The signs shall be placed on the side of the road appropriate to the direction of traffic and facing the traffic concerned. They may be repeated on the other side of the road.
III, B. ADVANCE DIRECTION SIGNS AND DIRECTION SIGNS
ARTICLE 42
1. The advance direction signs shall be rectangular in shape.
2. Their size shall be such that the indication can be understood easily by drivers of vehicles travelling at speed.
3. These signs shall have either a light ground with dark lettering or a dark ground with light lettering.
4. Advance direction signs shall be placed at a distance of between 100 m and 250 m from the intersection on normal roads. On special motor roads, this distance may be increased to 500 m.
5. Diagrams III, B.1a and III, B.lb are examples of this sign. ARTICLE 43
1. Direction signs shall be rectangular with the longer side horizontal and shall terminate in the form of an arrowhead.
2. Names of other places lying in the same direction may be added to the sign.
3. When distances are indicated, the figures giving kilometres (or miles) shall be inscribed between the name of the place and the arrow-head.
4. The colours of these signs shall be the same as those for advance direction signs.
5. Diagrams III, B.2a and III, B.2b are examples of this sign.
III, C. PLACE AND ROUTE IDENTIFICATION SIGNS
ARTICLE 44
1. Signs indicating a locality shall be rectangular in shape with the longer side horizontal.
2. These signs shall be of such a size and placed in such a manner that they shall be visible even at night.
3. These signs shall have either a light ground with dark lettering, or a dark ground with light lettering.
4. These signs shall be placed before the beginning of a built-up area, on the side of the road appropriate to the direction of traffic and facing the traffic concerned.
5. Diagrams III, C.1a and III, C.1b are examples of this sign.
ARTICLE 45
1. The signs for the special identification of routes, bearing numbers or letters or a combination of numbers and letters, shall be rectangular in shape.
2. The inscriptions may be affixed to milestones, to other signs or be placed as separate signs.
3. Diagram III, C.2a is an example of this sign.
Part III
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS LEVEL-CROSSINGS
ARTICLE 46
Supplementary intermediate signs, such as vertical panels placed underneath the signs I, 8 or I, 9, may be used as circumstances warrant it, provided that they are repeated at about two-thirds and one-third of the distance between that sign and the railway line, and bear respectively three, two and one red oblique bar on a white or yellow ground. Diagrams I, 8a; I, 9a; I, 8/9b and I, 8/9c are examples of these signs.
ARTICLE 47
In cases where gates operated from a distance (whether by hand or by an automatic device) are not visible from the operating box, they shall be provided with sound or sight signals giving users of the road warning in sufficient time that the gate is about to be closed. Gates shall be closed slowly enough to enable users of the road who have already entered the level-crossing to clear it.
ARTICLE 48
At all level-crossings with gates, the gates shall be guarded during the whole period when train services are in operation. Should a level-crossing be reclassified permanently from the category of level-crossing with gates to that of level-crossing without gates but with automatic signals, or to that of level-crossing without gates and without automatic signals, the gates shall be removed to avoid any misunderstanding on the part of the users of the road.
ARTICLE 49
1. At all level-crossings without gates but with automatic signalling, there shall be placed, in the immediate vicinity of the railway, an automatic signal giving warning of the approach of trains. Wherever possible, this signal shall be placed on the same post as the sign in the form of the Saint Andrew's cross (I, 10 and I, 11). It shall consist, both by day and by night, of one or more flashing red lights indicating that traffic on the road shall stop. Appropriate measures shall be taken to preclude both an accidental defect in the working of the automatic signal and any possibility of misinterpreting the signal.
2. The above-mentioned red light signal may be accompanied by a sound signal.
3. Signals of the same kind, but operated by hand instead of being automatic, shall be regarded as equivalent to the automatic signalling of the approach of trains as prescribed above.
ARTICLE 50
Level-crossings shall not be without gates and automatic signalling unless the railway line is clearly visible on both sides of the level-crossing to users of the road, taking into account the maximum speed of the trains, so that the driver of a vehicle approaching the railway from either side may have time to stop before entering the crossing when a train is in sight and the users of the road who have entered the crossing when a train appears have time to clear the crossing.
Part IV
SIGNALS TO BE MADE BY TRAFFIC POLICE
ARTICLE 51
Traffic police shall be so equipped and stationed as to be visible to all road users.
ARTICLE 52
1. Signals to be made by traffic police shall conform to one of the two following systems:
First system
Signal A — to indicate "STOP" to the vehicles approaching the officer from the front: arm raised vertically, palm of the hand to the front. Signal С — to indicate "STOP" to the vehicles approaching the officer from the rear: arm extended horizontally to the side of the road to which the traffic concerned is keeping, palm of the hand to the front.
Signals A and С may be used simultaneously.
Second system
Signal В — to indicate "STOP" to the vehicles approaching the officer from the front: arm extended horizontally to the side of the road to which the traffic concerned is keeping, palm of the hand to the front.
Signal С — to indicate "STOP" to the vehicles approaching the officer from the rear: arm extended horizontally to the side of the road to which the traffic concerned is keeping, palm of the hand to the front.
Signals В and С may be used simultaneously.
2. Under both systems, a beckoning gesture with the hand may be made to call vehicles forward.
Part V
TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS
ARTICLE 53
1. The lights of the traffic light signals shall be given the following meaning:
(а) In a three-coloured system: Red indicates that vehicular traffic must not pass the signal;
Green indicates that vehicular traffic may pass the signal;
When amber is used after the green signal, it shall be taken as prohibiting vehicular traffic from proceeding beyond the signal unless the vehicle is so close to the signal, when the amber signal first appears that it cannot safely be stopped before passing the signal;
When amber is used in conjunction with or after the red signal, it indicates an impending change in the indications of the signal and shall not be taken as permitting vehicular traffic to proceed.
(b) In the two-colour system : Red indicates that vehicular traffic must not pass the signal;
Green indicates that vehicular traffic may pass the signal;
The combination of green and red shall have the same meaning as amber after green in the three-colour system.
2. When a single amber intermittent light is used, it shall indicate "CAUTION".
3. The lights shall be placed one above the other. As a rule the red light shall be placed at the top and the green light at the bottom. Where an amber light is used, it shall be placed between the red and the green lights.
4. When traffic light signals are placed at the side of the carriageway, the height of the lower edge of the lowest light above the carriageway shall normally be not less than 2 m and not more than 3.50 m. When they are suspended over the carriageway, the height of the lower edge of the lowest light above the carriageway shall be not less than
5. Where possible the light signals should be repeated on the opposite side of an intersection. Part VI
ROAD MARKINGS
ARTICLE 54
1. Where a carriageway outside a built-up area has more than two lanes, these shall as a rule be made clearly distinguishable.
2. Where a three-lane carriageway outside a built-up area passes through sections where the visibility is not sufficient, or at other danger points, the total width of the carriageway shall be divided only into two lanes.
3. Where a carriageway has two lanes in any section where the visibility is not sufficient and xat other danger points, the lanes should be clearly distinguishable.
4. The marking of lanes as provided for under paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article indicates that under normal traffic conditions no vehicle should deviate from the lane reserved for traffic proceeding in its direction.
ARTICLE 55
1. Where the edges of the carriageway are defined by means of lights or reflecting devices, two different colours may be used for such lights or. devices.
2. Either red or orange may be used to indicate the edge of the carriageway on the side of the road of the direction of the traffic, and white to indicate the edge of the carriageway on the opposite side.
3. Where lights or reflecting devices are used to indicate the presence of posts or refuges in the carriageway, white or yellow colours should be employed.
Part VII
FINAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 56
1. This Protocol shall be open, until 31 December 1949, for signature by all States signatories to the Convention on Road Traffic, opened for signature at Geneva on 19 September 1949.
2. This Protocol shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
3. From 1 January 1950, this Protocol shall be open for accession by States signatories to the Convention on Road Traffic and by States acceding or having acceded to it. It shall also be open for accession on behalf of any Trust Territory of which the United Nations is the Administering Authority and on behalf of which the said Convention has been acceded to.
4. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 57
1. Any State may, at the time of signature, ratification or accession, or at any time thereafter, declare, by notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, that the provisions of this Protocol will be applicable to all or any of the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible. These provisions shall become applicable in the territories named in the notification thirty days after the date of receipt of such notification by the Secretary-General or, if the Protocol has not entered into force at that time, then upon the date of its entry into force.
2. Each Contracting Party, when the circumstances permit, undertakes to take as soon as possible the necessary steps in order to extend the application of this Protocol to the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible, subject, where necessary for constitutional reasons, to the consent of the Governments of such territories.
3. Any State which has made a declaration under paragraph 1 of this article applying this Protocol to any territory for the international relations of which it is responsible may at any time thereafter declare by notification given to the Secretary-General that the Protocol shall cease to apply to any territory named in the notification and the Protocol shall, after the expiration of one year from the date of the notification, cease to apply to such territory.
ARTICLE 58
This Protocol shall enter into force fifteen months after the date of the deposit of the fifth instrument of ratification or accession. This Protocol shall enter into force for each State ratifying or acceding after that date fifteen months after the deposit of its instrument of ratification or accession.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall notify each of the signatory or acceding States and every other State invited to attend the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport of the date on which this Protocol comes into force.
ARTICLE 59
In ratifying this Protocol or in acceding to it, each State Party to the Convention concerning the Unification of Road Signals opened for signature at Geneva on 30 March 1931, undertakes to denounce that Convention within three months of the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification or accession to this Protocol.
ARTICLE 60
1. Any amendment to this Protocol may be proposed by any Contracting Party. The text of such proposed amendment shall be communicated to the Secretary-General who shall transmit it to each other Contracting Party bound by this protocol with a request that such Contracting Party reply within four months stating whether it:
(а) Desires that a Conference be convened to consider the proposed amendment; or
(b) Favours the acceptance of the proposed amendment without a Conference; or
(c) Favours the rejection of the proposed amendment without a Conference.
The proposed amendment shall also be transmitted by the Secretary-General to all States, other than Contracting Parties, invited to attend the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport.
2. The Secretary-General shall convene a Conference of the Contracting Parties to consider the proposed amendment, if the convening of a Conference is requested by at least one-third of the Contracting Parties. The Secretary-General shall invite to the Conference such States, other than the Contracting Parties, who were invited to attend the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport or whose participation would, in the opinion of the Economic and Social Council, be desirable.
The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in cases where an amendment to this Protocol has been adopted in accordance with paragraph 5 of this article.
3. Any amendment to this Protocol which shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of a Conference, shall be communicated to all Contracting Parties for acceptance. Ninety days after its acceptance by two-thirds of the Contracting Parties each amendment shall enter into force for all Contracting Parties except those which, before it enters into force, make a declaration that they do not adopt the amendment.
4. The Conference may by a two-thirds majority vote determine at the time of the adoption of an amendment to this Protocol that it is of such a nature that any Contracting Party which has made a declaration that it does not accept the amendment and which then does not accept the amendment within a period of twelve months after the amendment enters into force shall, upon the expiration of this period, cease to be a Party to this Protocol.
5. In the event of a two-thirds majority of the Contracting Parties informing the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 1 (b) of this article that they favour the acceptance of the amendment without a Conference, notification of this decision shall be communicated by the Secretary-General to all the Contracting Parties. The amendment shall on the expiration of ninety days from the date of such notification become effective as regards all Contracting Parties except those which notify the Secretary-General that they object to such an amendment within that period.
6. As regards amendments not within the scope of paragraph 4 of this article, the existing provisions shall remain in force in respect of any Contracting Party which has made a declaration or lodged an objection with respect to such an amendment.
7. A Contracting Party which has made a declaration in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of this article or has lodged an objection in accordance with paragraph 5 of this article to an amendment may withdraw such declaration or objection at any time by notification addressed to the Secretary-General. The amendment shall be effective as regards that Contracting Party upon receipt of such notification by the Secretary-General.
ARTICLE 61
This Protocol may be denounced by means of one year's notice given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall notify each signatory or acceding State thereof. After the expiration of this period the Protocol shall cease to be in force as regards the Contracting Party which denounces it
ARTICLE 62
ARTICLE 63
Nothing in this Protocol shall be deemed to prevent a Contracting Party from taking action compatible with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and limited to the exigencies of the situation which it considers necessary for its external or internal security.
ARTICLE 64
1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall, in addition to the notifications provided for in paragraph 5 of article 5, article 58, paragraphs 1, 3 and 5 of article 60, and article 61, notify the States referred to in paragraph 1 of article 56 of the following:
(а) Signatures, ratifications and accessions in accordance with article 56;
(b) Notifications with regard to the territorial application of this Protocol in accordance with article 57;
(c) Declarations whereby States accept amendments in accordance with paragraph 3 of article 60;
(d) Objections to amendments to this Protocol communicated by States to the Secretary-General in accordance with paragraph 5 of article 60;
(e) The date of entry into force of amendments in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 5 of article 60;
(f) The date on which a State has ceased to be a Party to this Protocol, in accordance with paragraph 4 of article 60;
(g) Withdrawals of objections to an amendment in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 60;
(h) The list of States bound by any amendment to this Protocol;
(i) Denunciations of the Convention concerning the Unification of Road Signals of 30 March 1931, in accordance with article 59 of this Protocol;
(j) Denunciations of this Protocol in accordance with article 61.
2. The original of this Protocol shall be deposited with the Secretary-General who will transmit certified copies thereof to the States referred to in paragraph 1 of article 56.
3. The Secretary-General is authorized to register this Protocol upon its entry into force.
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III.С.2a
DONE at Geneva, in a single copy, in the English and French languages, both texts authentic, this nineteenth day of September, one thousand nine hundred and forty-nine.
AFGHANISTAN
ALBANIA
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
HERMAN DAHLEN
BELGIUM
F. BLONDEEL
BOLIVIA
BRAZIL
BULGARIA
Traduction du Secrétariat des Nations Unies: * Compte tenu de la réserve relative au paragraphe 1 de l'article 45, mentionnée au paragraphe 7 f) de l'Acte final de la Conférence sur lep transports routiers et les transports automobiles. BURMA
BYELORUSSIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC
CANADA
CHILE
CHINA
COLOMBIA
COSTA RICA
CUBA
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
V. OUTRATA
December 28th, 1949
DENMARK
K. BANG
A. BLOM-ANDERSEN
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ECUADOR EGYPT
A. K. SAFWAT
EL SALVADOR
ETHIOPIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
LUCIEN HUBERT
GREECE
GUATEMALA
HAÏTI
HONDURAS
HUNGARY
ICELAND
INDIA
B. N. RAU
December 29, 1949
IRAQ
IRELAND
ISRAEL
M. KAHANY
M. LUBARSKY
ITALY
M. ENRICO MELLINI
LEBANON
Sous réserve de ratification*
J. MIKAOUI
LIBERIA
LUXEMBOURG
R. LOCELIN
MEXICO
NETHERLANDS
J. J. OYEVAAR
NEW ZEALAND
NICARAGUA
Translation by the Secretariat of the United Nations:
* Subject to ratification.
NORWAY
AXEL RUNNING
PAKISTAN
PANAMA
PARAGUAY
PERU
PHILIPPINES
POLAND
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
SAUDI ARABIA
SWEDEN
GÖSTA HALL
SWITZERLAND
HEINRICH ROTHMUND
ROBERT PLUMEZ
PAUL GOTTRET
SYRIA
THAILAND
Traduction du Secrétariat des Nations Unies:
* Compte tenu de lа réserve relative au paragraphe 5 de l'article 15, mentionnée au paragraphe 7 e) de l'Acte final de la Conférence sur les transports routiers et les transports automobiles.
TRANSJORDAN
TURKEY
UKRAINIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA
UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
URUGUAY
VENEZUELA
YEMEN
YUGOSLAVIA
LJUB. KOMNENOVIĆ
For the Secretary-General,
The Legal Counsel:
United Nations, New York
24 January 1962