Looking out
for your safety
Things you should know about
your Metrolink trams
Important information for drivers
Tramway
• Trams are much wider than the tracks they run on and in most places
there are no barriers separating the trams from the pavement.
• Because they run on tracks, trams can’t swerve to avoid obstacles.
• When sharing the highway with other vehicles, trams travel at speeds
up to the permitted speed limit .
• Trams have a warning horn which is sounded if there are obstacles in its path.
In an emergency
If you get into difficulty on the tramway itself, for instance in the event of
a vehicle breakdown, please follow these safety steps:
• Get everyone out of the vehicle immediately, if it is safe to do so
• Get your vehicle off the tramway if it is possible to do so safely
• Warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights
• Keep your lights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
• Dial 999 and ask for the police.
For more information contact:
Customer Services
Metrolink House
Queens Road
Manchester
M8 0RY
Tel: 0161 205 2000
www.metrolink.co.uk/safety
If you would like this information
in other formats, please phone
Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
7am – 8pm Mon to Fri, 8am – 8pm Sat, Sun & public
holidays. Calls cost 10p a minute plus network extras.
Designed and produced by Transport for Greater Manchester Marketing Communications
© Transport for Greater Manchester 12-0537/3954-A5-0812
Driving along roads on which trams also travel
is perfectly safe, but if Metrolink is new to your
area you may be unfamiliar with sharing the
road with the tram.
This leaflet contains helpful advice about
driving safely with trams and shows you some
of the new highway signs you will see.
Your safety as a driver...
Overhead electric lines
• You must not enter a road, lane or other route reserved for trams.
These are indicated by signs, change in road surface and road markings.
You should make sure you have sufficient clearance between the overhead wire
and your vehicle (including any load you are carrying) before driving under an
overhead wire.
• Where trams run along the road you should avoid driving directly on top of
the rails to avoid skidding.
• You should avoid following the rails to ensure they do not lead you onto a
route reserved for trams.
• Where possible, motorcyclists should cross the tracks at right angles and
should exercise caution when crossing at a shallow angle.
• Always give way to trams. Be extra careful where a track crosses the road
as trams have their own traffic signals and may be permitted to move
when you are not.
• Do not try to race, overtake or pass trams on the inside, unless they are at
tram stops or stopped by tram signals and there is a designated tram lane
for you to pass.
• You must not park your vehicle where it would get in the way of trams or
where it would force other drivers to do so.
• Where the tram stops at a platform, either in the middle or at the side of the
road, you must follow the route shown by the road signs and markings.
• Always give way to trams when they signal to pull away from stops.
• Look out for pedestrians, especially children, running to catch a tram or
getting off a bus or tram and crossing the road.
Tramway overhead wires are normally 5.8 metres above any carriageway, but can
be lower.
Where overhead wires are set lower than 5.8 metres, these will be indicated by
height clearance markings similar to ‘low bridge’ signs. The height clearances on
these plates should be carefully noted and observed.
If you are in any doubt as to whether your vehicle will pass safely under the
wires, you should always contact the local police or Metrolink. Never take a
chance as this can be extremely hazardous.
Drivers of vehicles with extending cranes, booms, tipping apparatus or other
types of variable height equipment should ensure that the equipment is fully
lowered.
The overhead line should be treated as ‘live’ at all times.
Keep a look out for the following signs:
Watch out for
trams crossing
ahead
Routes where
other traffic is
prohibited
• Further guidance is available in the Highway Code.
Instructions
for tram drivers
on the right
Signs for tram
drivers
Other road users
should ignore
these signs