Your Guide to Road Safety
on this page:
When you are
walking When crossing
roads When you are cycling
When you are
walking
- Walk on the pavement or the footpath if they are provided and
keep as far away from the traffic as possible. Try not to walk with
your back to the traffic.
- If there is no pavement or footpath, walk on the right-hand
side of the road so that you can see the on-coming traffic. Extra
care should be taken. Walk in a single file, especially on narrow
roads or in bad light and keep close to the side of the road away
from traffic. If you are coming to a sharp right-hand bend it might
be safer to cross the road so you are seen sooner by on-coming
traffic also you will see the traffic more clearly. Cross the road
again after the bend.
- Wear or carry something bright or light coloured in poor
daylight conditions and at night when it is dark. Reflective
material such as armbands or waistcoats make it much easier for
drivers to see you in the dark as the material shows up when the
headlights shine on you.
When crossing
roads
- It is safer to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing, where
signals will stop the traffic for you. To work these, press the
button. While the red figure shows do not cross. Wait for the green
figure; check that the traffic has stopped then cross with care. If
the green figure is flashing do not start to cross. If you have
already started to cross you should have time to get across.
- A zebra crossing is another form of crossing. These have black
and white striped markings on the road and either side of the road
is a black and white striped pole with an orange globe on the top,
which flashes. Do not walk straight out, but give the traffic
time to stop for you. Wait until the traffic has stopped in both
directions or the road is clear before you cross. Keep looking both
ways and listening as you cross in case a driver has not seen
you.
When you are
cycling
- The cycle you are going to ride must be safe to be ridden on
the roads.
- It is advisable to wear a cycle helmet to protect your head in
case you are involved in an accident.
- If you wear trousers that are flared or baggy at the ankles
they could get caught in the chain or wheel of the cycle. To stop
this happening wear cycle clips around your trousers at the ankles
or tuck them in your socks.
- Wear bright or light coloured clothing in poor daylight and at
night when it is dark. Reflective clothing or accessories such as
armbands, ankle bands and belts show up very well in the dark when
headlights shine on them.
- When riding in the dark your cycle must have a working white
front light and a working red back light. It must also have a red
reflector fitted to the back of the cycle. White reflectors fitted
to the front of the cycle and to the wheels also help you to be
seen.
- Cycle on the left-hand side of the road and if you can use
cycle routes these can make your journey safer. Ride in single file
on busy and narrow roads.
- You must obey all traffic signs and signals.
- It is illegal to cycle on the pavement.
