Essential Road Safety Rules Archives

Road Safety Rules In The Netherlands

Posted on February 11, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

The Netherlands is a country where cyclists form a quarter of its traffic along with cars, buses, trams, trucks and trains.

With an enormous number of cyclists on the road, driving can be a challenge. The Netherlands Transport Ministry issues road safety rules and regulations for both motorists and cyclists.

Driver’s License

The minimum age requirement for obtaining a Dutch driving license for cars is 17 years.
A moped driving license can be obtained by drivers aged 16 and above.
The learner has essentially to pass a compulsory theory exam and a final practical exam from the Central Office of Driving Certification (CBR).
Before the final practical exam, learners have to perform an intermediate practical exam in stopping, turning and parking.
High-speed bicycles with speed limits of 45km/h are required to have number plates. The riders should possess moped driving licenses.

Speed Limits

In general, the speed limits are 50 km/h on the city roads (urban areas) and 80 km/h on other rural roads.
The maximum speed allowed on expressways is 100 km/h and on motorways is 130 km/h
Traffic fines are imposed for speed violations. Speeding above the limits by 3-4 km/h is not fined on most of the roads. On roads where the speed limit is 130 km/h, there is no margin for violation. Even speed of 1 km/h above the limit is fined.
The speed is limited to 30 km/h within built-up areas and 40 km/h outside built-up areas on bicycle or moped tracks.
If excessive speeds are detected, the driver incurs on-the-spot fines.

Road Signs

Priority signs are those that indicate Stop, Start and End of Priority Roads, Give Way.
Warning signs indicate No Entry, Entry Closed to Cycles, Mopeds and Trucks; those that ban entry of vehicles exceeding specified lengths.
Instruction signs are those that ask to Drive Ahead, Keep Right, Turn Right, etc.
Warning signs indicate the presence of Hills, Curves, School Crossings, Tram Crossings, Road Closures, etc.

Read Also: Road Safety Rules In Australia

Traffic Lights

Traffic lights follow the sequence of red, amber, green. An illuminated arrow alongside traffic lights indicates that vehicles can turn only in the direction of the arrow.
Signals with an illuminated picture of a bicycle pertain to bicycle/moped riders.
Signs stating ‘Right turn clear for bicycles and mopeds’ implies the amber and red lights do not apply to them and they can turn right.
Traffic lights for buses and trams follow the white, amber, red sequence where the flashing white light indicates that they can proceed.
At pedestrian crossings, a green light shows that they can cross; flashing green light warns that the light might turn to red soon and red light prevents pedestrians from crossing.

Safety Rules

Drivers and all passengers in the car should wear seat-belts.
Children below the age of 5 and below the height of 1.35m should be seated on safety seats at the rear of the car.
Helmets are to be worn by motorcyclists.
Mobile phones can be used only with a hands-free device. Holding a mobile phone while driving is also considered an offence.

Road Rules

The Dutch drive their vehicles keeping to the right side of the road. They are expected to keep to the extreme right of the road.
Overtaking of vehicles is permitted from the left. Cyclists have to overtake other cyclists from the left. Trams may be overtaken from the right. Vehicles entering a roundabout may overtake from the right.
Drinking and driving is illegal. Drivers who have been in possession of a license for five years or longer are permitted an alcohol level of a maximum of 50 mg/100 ml of blood. If one has held a license for less than five years the tolerance level is 20 mg/100 ml. The alcohol level allowed for scooter and moped drivers under the age of 24 is 20 mg/100 ml.
The DUI law makes operation of a vehicle with even a small amount of (detectable) specific drugs in one’s system illegal. This offence could lead to imprisonment and suspension of licenses for up to five years.
Traffic, including cyclists, approaching from the right has to be given priority unless signs indicate otherwise.
Trams are to be given priority over all other traffic except in areas where sign-posts mention otherwise.
Drivers reversing, performing U-turns, exiting and entering roads must give way to other vehicles at all times.
Drivers are not permitted to execute U-turns or reverse on motorways and highways.
Trailers and heavy vehicles are restricted to using the two right innermost lanes.
Dipped headlights have to be used after dark and in poor visibility conditions.
In cities and built-up areas, headlights can be flashed if necessary; horns can be used only in dangerous situations.
Pedestrians should walk on the pedestrian tracks. Pedestrians should familiarize themselves with the network of bicycle paths as most often they resemble foot-paths.
Cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast.

Parking

P-Zones are parking areas, most of which are metered. Areas with parking meters allow vehicles to be parked for 1-2 hours on paying the charges.
Blue-zone parking in urban areas permits parking on display of time-stamped traffic disc. The discs can be obtained from motor clubs and police stations.
Parking garages allow parking on payment of charges.
Park and Ride spaces are organized parking spaces outside the city limits. Drivers park in these spaces and use public transport to their destinations.
Alongside ‘no parking’ signs, rectangular signs indicate times when parking is restricted in such areas.
Parking is prohibited within five meters from intersections, outside built-up areas, on broken yellow lines and in places obstructing exits and entrances.
Cycles and mopeds are to be parked on pavements, footpaths and areas specifically assigned for parking.
Disabled drivers and invalid carriages are exempted from parking restrictions.
Despite traffic rules, traffic jams are a major occurrence during peak times. The narrow inner roads get congested and traffic spills over on to main highways.
Being wary of cycle riders, while driving, slows the drivers. The government maximizes its efforts to see that the roads are made safer and the drivers are therefore happier.

Road Safety Rules In Australia – All You Need To Know

Posted on February 8, 2019 by TSB Super Admin

Australian driving rules ensure that drivers of all ages drive in the safest possible way. The stringent requirements from obtaining a driving license, detailed traffic signs, driving rules and safety regulations are instituted to assure safer driving habits amongst its drivers.

Australians drive keeping to the left of the road. This is different from some other countries. An overview of the traffic rules and regulations are detailed as follows.

Obtaining a Driving License

The minimum age requirement to obtain a driving license in Australia is 16 years. After passing the test one is qualified for a Learner’s Permit on which he is permitted to drive for two years.

On completion of driving for a minimum of 12 months on a Learner’s Permit, he is eligible to apply for Provisional License – P1.
A driver qualifies for the Provisional License – P2 when he is 18 years and above and has held P1 license for a minimum period of 1 year.
Anyone who is 20 years or older is eligible for the Full Driving License provided he has completed 2 years of driving on his P2 License.

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Speed Limits

The maximum speed limit outside built-up areas is 100 km/h and within built-up areas is 50 km/h.
Speed limits of 25 km/h are imposed at school crossings and koala crossings. This speed limit is applicable when passing school buses that have stopped for picking or dropping students or passing emergency vehicles with their lights flashing. In some residential areas, speed limits have been fixed at 40 km/h.
In shared zones where both pedestrians and vehicles are permitted, the speed has to be kept to a minimum of 10 km/h.
Racing and over-speeding are prohibited on the roads. The police confiscate number plates which is equivalent to impounding of the vehicle.

Road Signs

Regulatory – Signs that must be obeyed: Stop; Give way, Speed Limit, No Right/ Left turn.
Warning – Signs that warn of impending hazards or unusual feature on the road: Speed advice at curves and bends, etc.
Direction – Signs that provide information to the driver: distances to places, directions to towns and roads, emergency services, lay-bys, telephones, etc.
Temporary – Signs that caution the driver about work on the road, closed lanes or detours.

Traffic Lanes

A continuous white lane line should not be crossed unless to overtake a cyclist or to avoid any other obstruction.
Bus lanes are denoted by signs. This is for buses, bicycles, taxis and emergency vehicles during the times mentioned on the signs. • ‘Bus Only’ lanes are painted with a red box with ‘Bus Only’ written in white. The lanes are marked by a continuous red line alongside the white lane marking.
Bicycle lanes are colored green and are designated for the exclusive use of bicycle riders.
Transit Lanes are indicated by signs T2 and T3. T2 can be used by any vehicle with two or more passengers including the driver and T3 can be used by vehicles with three or more passengers including the driver.

Traffic Lights

Traffic lights follow the sequence of red, yellow, green.
Most of the traffic lights have arrow lights at the intersections. At a red arrow light, you are not allowed to turn in the direction of the arrow. Yellow arrow cautions the driver about the turn of lights preparing him to stop. Green arrow light permits turn in the direction of the arrow.
When traffic lights are not functional, the rule of Giving Way to the Right or at a T-intersection has to be obeyed wherever applicable.
Signs stating ‘Turn left when the lights are red’ allows the driver to turn left before the lights turn to green after giving way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Flashing yellow light signals the driver to proceed with caution.
White ‘T’ light is an indication to a tram driver and ‘B’ light is an indication to the bus driver that they may continue to drive or proceed.
Red/Green bicycle lights with symbols indicate to cyclists whether to stop, proceed or wait.
U-turns cannot be made at all intersections unless there is a sign permitting U-turn.
Bicycle storage area or bike box is an area on the road with bicycle symbols painted on it. This area will be painted green. Vehicles are not allowed to enter the storage area when the lights are red.

Safety Rules

Seat belts are to be worn by the driver and all passengers while the vehicle is in motion.
Children between the ages of 6 months to 7 years are to be seated on rear passenger seats. An infant restraint or a child safety seat with harness has to be used.
A child of any age with a medical condition or disability is allowed to sit on the front seat. They should be properly restrained and the driver should carry a medical certificate.
Cyclists, moped and motor scooter drivers are required to wear a helmet and appropriate riding gear.
Usage of mobile phones while driving is not allowed.

Lights

Headlights, rear lights and number plate lights are to be turned on when driving in the dark or when visibility is poor
Driving with only park lights is considered to be an offence.
Headlights can be momentarily flashed on high beam to indicate overtaking.
Lights should be dipped within 200 m of an oncoming vehicle and while nearing the rear of a vehicle.
Hazard lights can be used by drivers in bad weather and to warn other drivers of obstructions.

Driving Rules

It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other prescription medicines which impair driving skills. The blood alcohol level should not be in excess of 0.05 %.
Australia follows a zero-tolerance policy for drivers on Provisional Licenses. Zero tolerance is applicable to drivers of taxis, buses and heavy vehicles.
It is advisable to check the local weather conditions if driving long distances. Bush-fires, floods, cyclones could happen anytime.
Overtaking is permitted only where the centre line marking is a single broken line.
While overtaking a road train, allow plenty of distance as the wind rush will pull the vehicle towards it.
Where lanes are not marked, the driver should drive near the left side of the road.
Double unbroken lines can be crossed only in cases of hazards like an accident or fallen tree or when a car is parked illegally.
Give way signs are an integral part of Australian traffic rules. It is important to give way to pedestrians, bicycle riders, buses, trams and trains, vehicles at intersections and roundabouts. Giving way indicates slowing down or if necessary stopping to allow vehicles to proceed safely avoiding collisions.
Freeways or expressways allow movement of vehicles at speeds higher than on normal roads. The right lane must be freed for overtaking. A safe distance from other vehicles has to be maintained at all times. Drivers have to be alert as traffic from behind may move at very high speeds.
A vehicle is not permitted to make U-turns or reverse on a freeway. They are not permitted to stop or park unless in cases of emergencies. Pedestrians, cyclists, animal-drawn vehicles and animals are prohibited from using freeways.
Horns must be used only to warn pedestrians and other vehicles of dangers.

Parking Rules

Parking signs are displayed showing the time duration for which a vehicle can be parked on specific days.
Parking for more than 2 minutes in a No Parking Zone is not allowed. The driver has to remain in or within 3 m of the vehicle if he does stop in this zone.
Pay parking sign allows parking for the duration shown on the signs provided the charges are paid.
While parking on a hill or a curve it has to be ensured that the vehicle is visible to an oncoming vehicle from 100 m away.

On-the-spot fines, demerit points, suspension and disqualification of licenses act as deterrents to the violation of traffic regulations. Adhering to the set of traffic rules makes driving easier and the roads safer.

30 Essential Road Safety Rules in India

Posted on February 16, 2017 by TSB Super Admin

Every now and then, we come across new vehicles on the road. Hence, it is vital to know and to follow the basic road safety rules and to ensure that everyone else follow these rules too.

The road safety rules are designed to suit the best interest of the Indian citizens. In a huge country like India, it may be difficult to execute these safety rules; but, it is not impossible.

Here are 30 essential road safety rules to be followed in India:

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1. Keep Left

Drive adjacent to the left side of the road and let other vehicles in the opposite direction to pass on the right hand side.

2. Turning Left

If you want to turn left, stay close to the left side and then, turn left. After turning, continue to stay to the left side of the road.

3. Turning Right

When you want to turn right, you should first come to the centre of the road carefully and then, turn right keeping your vehicle close to the left side of the road.

4. Passing

Always remember to pass or overtake the vehicle in front of yours from its right side.

5. Passing Prohibited

Overtaking or passing a vehicle and progress in the same direction is prohibited in the following cases:

If overtaking or passing causes trouble to any other vehicle moving in any direction
Overtaking is prohibited in a curve as you may not have a clear view of the road ahead and sometimes, it may lead to serious accidents
It is not wise to overtake or pass if you see the other vehicle’s driver already starting to overtake your vehicle
If the other driver does not give a signal allowing your vehicle to overtake their vehicle

Read Also: Road Safety Rules In Australia

6. When another Vehicle Overtakes your Vehicle

You should not try to increase your speed or do anything that prevents the other vehicle from passing or overtaking.

7. Intersections

You should be extra cautious while approaching a junction, intersections or a crossing. Make sure that your vehicle does not cause any inconvenience to other vehicles or pedestrians.

8. Right of Way

While approaching an intersection, always give a right of way to vehicles already progressing on that particular road. In other cases, you should proceed only after giving way to vehicles approaching from the right side of the road..

9. Emergency Vehicles

As a road user, it is your responsibility to give way to fire service vehicles and ambulances.

10. Pedestrians

Pedestrians have the right of way at pedestrian crossings or zebra crossings.

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11. “U” Turns

U turns can only be taken when

there is no warning sign nearby
you give a proper indication to other vehicle drivers that you are going to take a U turn either by hand signals or vehicle indicators
you confirm through the mirrors that there is no traffic behind your vehicle
there is no traffic around your vehicle and take U turn only when it is safe

12. Required Signals

If your vehicle indicators get damaged without any warning, what will you do? At this juncture, hand signals can be really helpful and hence, it is essential for you to learn them. Here are certain situations where hand signs can be used when your vehicle indicator or brakes are not in proper working condition:

When your vehicle is slowing down
When your vehicle is preparing to stop
When you are planning to turn right or overtake a vehicle from the right side
When you plan to turn left
When you give permission to the vehicle behind you to overtake your vehicle

13. Indicators

By using mechanical devices or electronic devices, you can simplify the signals for indication.

14. Parking

When you park the vehicle, make sure that it does not cause any hurdle or disturbance to any other road users.

15. Registration

No goods or loads should be kept in a way that hinders the visibility of other vehicles, the headlamps, tail lamps or the vehicle’s registration number. If the vehicle’s registration number is some way tampered, it should be replaced immediately with a duplicate one.

16. One way Roads

In the case of one way roads, try to drive only in the direction indicated on the road signs. Never park your vehicle in reverse on a one way street.

17. Stop Lines

When there are stop lines on the road, ensure that you stop the vehicle behind those lines.

18. Towing

No vehicles should be towed closer to other vehicles on the road. Some of the exceptions are:

Vehicles that are mechanically disabled

Partially assembled vehicles

Registered trailers and sidecars

All these vehicles are allowed to tow for the purpose of delivery, reaching the nearest service station, or garage.

19. Noise

Drivers should not:

Use the horn needlessly

Use the horn in prohibited areas like hospital zones, school zones, etc.

Use horns that are blaring, irritating, or loud

Use vehicles that cause a lot of noise when in motion

Drive vehicles without proper silencers

20. Traffic Lights and Signs

Always obey traffic signs, the instructions given by traffic officials or any other authorized person.

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21. Following Distance

It is better to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you since there is a chance for the vehicle to stop suddenly. When you keep sufficient distance, you will be able to avoid unnecessary hazards.

22. Right of way on Steep Roads

When the width of the road decreases, it will be difficult for each vehicle to pass at the same time. In such cases, it is always better to stop your vehicle aside and let the other vehicle pass.

23. Obstruction of Control

You should not allow anything that obstructs the view of the road. No one should be permitted to settle, stand, or place anything that hinders his control on the vehicle.

24. Passing Pedestrians

Do not drive your vehicle at a speed of more than 25 km/hr, especially when you pass a procession, meeting, strike, or a march.

25. Tractor and Goods Carriages

It is not allowed to carry passengers on a tractor. Also, drivers of good carriages should not allow more passengers than registered.

26. Loading

It is dangerous to overload vehicle with materials. There should not be anything in the loads that extend towards the front, back or rear side of the vehicle that cause inconvenience to other road users. Also, it should follow the height restrictions decided by the authorities.

27. Dangerous Materials

It is better for a public transport service to not carry explosive, inflammable, or harmful substances as it can be dangerous to them as well as other road users.

28. Driving in Reverse

When you take reverse, you should ensure that it does not cause annoyance to any other people on the road.

29. Essential Documents

A driver should possess the following documents while driving a vehicle: –

a. Driving license

b. Registration certificate of the vehicle

c. Taxation certificate

d. Insurance certificate

e. Fitness certificate

f. Permit

All the above documents should be produced on the demand of a police officer or any authorized person. If the documents are not with them, either the attested copies should be given to the officer directly or sent by post within 15 days.

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30. Additional Regulations

In addition to the rules mentioned above, the drivers should be aware about their duties, speed limits, weight limits, signals, etc. Also, they should have an idea about the consequences of driving vehicles without relevant documents, drunken driving etc.

The above mentioned rules can be very much valuable for people of all ages. These rules can make the people safe and secure on the roads. Every year, the number of vehicles on road goes on increasing; so does the importance of road safety. Hence, knowing essential road safety rules can help you and your friends from road related crisis.

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