Road safety for Children Archives

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.

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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.

Technology has made it possible for the humankind to take a giant leap in the modes and pace of transport. However, the urban infrastructure remains largely inefficient to accommodate the ever increasing fleet of vehicles and so does the issue of Road safety for children both in the developed and developing nations alike.

So how do we tackle this issue?

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1. Teach them young

Road safety for Children can be ensured primarily by a guided and effective teaching of road safety rules and regulations especially in the budding years. Even pre-primary kids can understand the safety rules easily if taught with fun filled activities. For example, rhymes on road safety can be taught to kids. Dramas or small skits, games on traffic rules, traffic park visits, etc. can help the mentors to instill the needs of observing traffic rules even from a younger age.

2. Visit the road

No amount of book work or training can be useful unless it is implemented in real life situation. A short visit to a suburban where traffic is less can be much useful for teaching road safety for children especially for primary kids. But be careful and extra cautious in leading the kids. Take a small group at a time so that it will be easy to manage the kids and they can learn the traffic rules with ease.

3. Mind the traffic

Seek for assistance from traffic controllers for managing traffic near educational institutions at peak hours, particularly during the morning and evening rushes. Schools can also deploy student volunteers from Scouts, Guides or NCC cadets for assisting the traffic personnel. This can serve the dual purpose of teaching and effectively managing road safety for children.

4. Be with kids

Don’t leave the children while crossing the road, especially the younger ones. Parents often tend to be busy with their hands and eyes glued to the mobile especially while crossing the roads. A little care and a tight grip on their hands could ensure road safety for children. It is important to never leave them unattended while on busy roads.

5. Reward the kids

A good behaviour should be appreciated and rewarded, especially for kids so that it will instill the values and rules that they learn. Appreciate when they follow the rules and ask others to follow their example.

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6. Install traffic signals

Rural and semi urban areas are fast developing to urban centres with the rapid boost of the economy. Due to their massive numbers, authorities and government agencies might overlook the need of installing traffic signals and symbols. Citizens can make group requests through schools, residents associations or other entities for installing traffic signs at required places near their vicinity. For example, school authorities can put forward a request to the government to make zebra crossings and speed breakers near the school for ensuring road safety for children.

7. Upkeep the vehicles

It is necessary to keep the school vehicles properly maintained and checked at regular intervals so that accidents can be avoided. Regular overhauling can not only increase the efficiency of the vehicle, but also considerably decreases the likelihood of occurrence of untoward events.

8. Create Awareness campaigns

Campaigning for creating awareness on traffic rules and safety tips with the students is a proven mechanism as far as the reach is considered. Children tend to campaign hard for a cause and it's all the better if it is for creating vigil on traffic rules. Consider it not as a burdensome task, but a small initiative to ensure the road safety for children.

9. Keep Panic away

Even if the kids follow the rules, some motorists might tend to break the rules and create chaos for the citizens. Kids tend to panic easily and might get into accidents inadvertently. Keep them calm and safe, especially while witnessing reckless driving. Don’t forget to emphasize the need for adhering to the rules because road safety for children should be given prime importance in traffic rule education.

Tag: Road safety for Children

Road Safety Rules In The Netherlands