Road Traffic Safety Rules In Lebanon – All You Need To Know


Lebanon has a population of 60, 00000 people of which 85% live in the urban areas. Lack of an efficient public transport system has resulted in an increase in passenger car vehicles on the road…  

Irresponsible and negligent driving is the main cause of approximately 1200 deaths a year in traffic accidents alone. Poor road infrastructure also contributes to this statistic.

Traffic rules for drivers as well as pedestrians have been stipulated by the Government. But the authorities have been lax in implementing them.

The following are the rules to ensure driver discipline and safety on the roads.

Read Also: 10 Road Safety Tips That Can Save Your Life

Driving License Issuance

  • Driving in Lebanon is on the right-hand side of the road.
  • The minimum age to obtain a driving license in Lebanon is 18 years.
  • A driver needs to be 23 years to rent a car, Minimum age to drive commercial vehicles is set at 21 and  school buses at 25
  • Driving Licenses are issued after the candidate passes a mandatory written and practical driving test. They are renewed every 10 years.

Driver rules

  • Drivers are to carry a valid driver’s license, registration and insurance documents while driving.
  • Drivers cannot drive motor vehicles without registration and license
  • Drivers cannot drive an impounded vehicle.
  • Drivers should comply with the traffic lights, should not overrun the red signal  and stop when required
  • Drivers should give way to aged and disabled persons and students.
  • They should give priority to ambulances, fire engines, police and other government vehicles.
  • Drivers should not use radar detection methods.
  • Drivers should not drive under fatigue.
  • Drivers should not block intersections.
  • They should give preference to vehicles inside of a roundabout.
  • They should refrain from making illegal U-turns and performing acrobatics on the road

Speed limit

  • Speed limits set by the road safety authorities in Lebanon is a maximum of 50kph in urban areas and 100kph in rural areas.  
  • Driving under the speed limit by 20Km/h is not allowed.
  • Driving over the speed limit by 60km/h attracts maximum fine, vehicle seizure and a jail term.
  • Over-speeding, racing and dangerous driving are not allowed and are punishable offences.

Drink/Drug driving

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is prohibited.
  • Even though the legal limit in drinking and driving is 0.5g/l, the authorities have adopted 0% tolerance towards driving after drinking.
  •  A graded fining system exists for driving under the influence of blood alcohol concentration levels of 0.5-0.8g/l, 0.8-1g/l, and for above 1g/l heavy fines, seizure of vehicle and jail term is imposed.
  • No open alcohol containers are permitted in a vehicle on road.

Vehicle safety rules

  • Seat belts are compulsory for both front and rear passengers in all vehicles.
  • Helmets are compulsory for cyclists and motor-cycle riders.
  • Cyclists should use side mirrors.
  • Cars should not have dark tinted windows.
  • Vehicles on the road should have their light on at all times.
  • Using mobile phones while driving is prohibited. A hands-free system can be used.
  • Signal lights and high beam lights are to be used only when necessary.
  • Hazard lights have to be switched on when the vehicle is broken down or when there is an obstruction on the road.
  • Hazard triangle in the vehicle is mandatory.
  • Dangling any part of the body outside while the vehicle is in motion is not allowed.
  • Registration plates have to be displayed clearly on the vehicles.

Passenger restrictions

  • Children under the age of 5 years have to be seated and buckled in a car seat.
  • Children under the age of 10 years should not be seated in the front seat and should not be transported on motor cycles

Parking regulations

  • On-street parking is normally allowed for a maximum of two hours.
  • Vehicles should not be parked in no-parking zones, pedestrian walkways and crossings or in slots reserved for the disabled.
  • Vehicles for sale should not be displayed or parked in public parking spaces.

Accident rules

  • A vehicle involved in an accident has to be moved to the side of the road
  • Causing accidents, not stopping immediately or performing a hit and run attract heavy fines, seizure of vehicles and jail terms.

Read Also: 8 Road Safety Tips for Motorists 

Pollution rules

  • Vehicles with carbon emission beyond the legal limits are penalized.
  • Noise pollution and Littering are not permitted.

Pedestrian rules

  • They have to respect the traffic signal lights and use the pedestrian crossings
  • They are to use assigned bridges and tunnels to cross busy roads.
  • Entering and exiting vehicles 25 meters close to intersections, signals or roundabouts in not permitted.

Violation of each one of the above traffic rules in Lebanon is a punishable offence.

Fines ranging from 200,000 LL to 1,000,000LL are imposed on violators. Major and repeated traffic offences call for imprisonment and confiscation of vehicle and licenses.

If citizens of Lebanon strictly follow the comprehensive set of traffic rules fatality rate can be reduced.

A change in the attitude of drivers, strict implementation of the rules and a better understanding of safety issues is essential.

Many organizations have been formed to create an awareness of road safety among the people and drivers.

30 Essential Road Safety Rules in India [Infographic]

Road safety is of prime importance as it is essential to avoid unnecessary accidents. We’ve already lost a lot of lives just because we haven’t been careful enough. Safety is gainful, accident is painful.

Safety begins with a team work and we all have to keep an eye out to not just our safety but also the safety of others too. Safety rules are your best tools for survival. We all have come across someone who has met with a terrible accident.

So, it is not uncommon. With the right steps we can avoid any harm to ourselves and others.

The best gift we can give our family is ourselves. It is not something new that India’s roads are the most chaotic place to ride a vehicle. It is mandatory to adhere to the rules while you are on the road.

Road safety rules are not to be taken lightly but most people don’t even follow the speed lanes correctly. According to the Road Safety Annual Report, there has been a significant rise in the fatalities just because people are not careful about the rules created just for the safety of them.

How many of you know about the road safety week that is conducted every year on January?

People forget to follow simple rules like zebra crossing is for pedestrians.

The new measures implemented aims to make the roads safer to both drivers and pedestrians. A lot of road accidents in India occur due to over speeding and recklessness.

If you could just be more cautious a life could be saved. There are signs on the road that you fail to notice just because you are driving your vehicle fast.

These road signs are carefully implemented by road safety authorities after checking on the probability of the accidents. Responsible driving is to keep an eye out for road signs and follow them without prejudice. Check out this infographic to know the 30 essential road safety rules in India. 

30 essential road safety rules in india infographic

13 General Road Safety Rules for Kids

“Safety is more important than convenience”- Don Hambidge

Safety is a key concern for parents. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure the road safety for your kids. Nevertheless, you cannot always accompany your kids and guide them. Of course, parents ensure the safety of their child at home and teachers or school transportation authority ensure the kid’s safety in order to safeguard the credibility of the schools. Meanwhile, who will be responsible for kid’s safety on the roads?

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Moreover, a majority of students will either walk to school or obtain the school transportation services. As a result, it is your duty to assert them regarding the merits of possessing essential safety skills.

Relevance of road safety rules for kids

As a matter of fact, children will not be mature enough to realize what is right or what is wrong, while walking on the roads. Without the appropriate guidance and awareness of road safety rules, it is risky to send children unaccompanied. Based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, it was established that 3% of the people died on the road were children.

Furthermore, 480 kids expire constantly due to road related accidents every year. Apart from that, among 4884 pedestrians who died in accidents, 207 of them are kids. In addition, when it is regarding the safety of your kid, you will not be able to swiftly compromise it. Consequently, once they reach the grown up stage, you can impart the road safety education to children.

Check out the 13 basic road safety rules for kids:

1. Aware of the road signals

Assist your kid to learn the traffic lights and signs. Check out the relevance of each color:

  • Green light is an indication for “go”-  Whenever the signal turns green, the vehicle can move ahead
  • Red light is an indication “to stop”- All the vehicles have to stop, when the red light is on
  • Yellow light is an indication “to slow down”- When the yellow light turns on, you should slow down your vehicle and prepare to stop
  • “Walking man” signal at intersections are constructed for the pedestrians. Recall the fact that you will be authorized to cross the road only when the signal turns green. Ensure that there are no vehicles, both on the left and right side of the road
  • Never attempt to cross the road, if the signboard signifies “Don’t walk” message or the walking symbol turns red

At times, a hand symbol is displayed instead of “walking man” symbol or “walk” signals. Teach the kids regarding it and if possible render them an awareness of the other essential traffic signals.

2. Stop, look, and cross

In fact, students will either walk to school or to the bus stop for waiting their respective school bus. The only task of students is to cross the road prudently, right after the school bus drops them off. Hence, you should undertake the responsibility to provide adequate guidance for crossing the road cautiously.

Teach them to be aware of various road signs and recommend them to utilize the zebra crossing while crossing the road. If there are no markings or signs, the following procedures can be worthwhile:

  • Check the right side, after that to the left side of the road for the incoming vehicles
  • If you notice a vehicle is approaching, wait for the vehicle to pass and then safely cross the road
  • Do not cross the road at the turns, it is unsafe
  • Never cross the road between the stopped vehicles

However, accompaniment is required for the children aged below 6 years and you should compulsorily hold their hands while crossing the road.

3. Listen

Educate the child to be extra vigilant while they cross the road at the turns. As a consequence, listening can only aid them. For this reason, instruct your child to listen and ensure whether a vehicle is approaching or not. Ordinarily, vehicles apply horns at turns and at unmanned intersections to provide a warning to other road users. Meanwhile, you can interpret the following instances to your child:

  • If a horn is heard, stop and cross only after ensuring that no vehicle approaches you from left or right side of the road
  • Ask them to keenly heed the vehicle engine sounds close-by. Inform them that if the sound is faint, it is away from you and if the sound is loud, it is nearing you

4. Don’t rush on roads

Children will not be tolerant and have a tendency to dash across the road to reach the other side. In addition, children become absent-minded when they are having fun and henceforth  bound across or along the road. Furthermore, they will be effortlessly distracted and leave your hand to dart or sprint away. Therefore, teach your child to remain placid while they are near the road.

5. Relevance of Sidewalks

Persuade your child to avail the service of sidewalks whenever they walk on the road. Demonstrate your child how to cross the road safely. Motivate them to avail the sidewalks even though it is not a busy street.

6. Crossroads and pedestrian crossings

Kids will have a tendency to scoot across the street. This will become particularly perilous since vehicles will never slow down unless there is a cross road or relevant signal. Notify your kid to cross only at intersections and avail the pedestrian crossings. If there is no crossroad or  pedestrian crossing, you can admonish your child to comply the rules mentioned above.

7. Place the hands inside the vehicle

In the mean time, a multitude of kids have the habit of placing their hands outside the vehicle while it is moving. At times, they will lay their head out and wave with exhilaration. This is a familiar sight among the school bus students. Nevertheless, these behaviors can have significant consequences. Due to carelessness, they will be injured by vehicles, which advances from the opposite direction.

8. Never cross road at bends

Bends are evidently the blind spot for motorists. When you attempt to cross at bends, the driver will be unable to recognize you and stop the car at the right time. As a result, kids will be hurt while crossing at bends.

9. Remain safe on a bicycle

If your kid rides bicycle to reach the school, ensure that they adhere to the following cycling rules:

  • Compel them to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle
  • Check the working condition of bicycle before starting the trip- you should thoroughly inspect brakes, light, etc.
  • Utilize the bicycle lane. If such a lane does not exist, ride the bike either on the extreme left or right side of the road and glide along with the traffic. While cycling, have a consideration for  bulky vehicles
  • Apply headlights if the cycling area is not properly lightened and at night, and hence cyclists can be conveniently noticed by others
  • Never permit your child to ride on congested streets without your supervision

10.  Staying safe in a moving vehicle

In a moving vehicle, you can ensure the kid’s safety with the assistance of a seat belt. Let them practice the following safety rules in your absence:

  • Never stand, stroll or sprint inside a moving vehicle
  • Remain seated and hold the rails on the seats until the school bus halts
  • Do not put your body part outside the moving vehicle

11. Get off the vehicle at the curb side

Ask your kid to memorize the following safety tips and conform to the rules while they descend from the school bus:

  • Ensure that you reach the bus stop prior to the scheduled bus timing in order to avert the circumstance of running behind the school bus
  • Form a queue to board or descend the school bus
  • Disembark the school bus at the curbside in order to evade unnecessary endangerment and hindrance to other vehicles

12.  Be visible, remain safe

It is advisable to not to wear black clothes at night. Safety is a key consideration for everyone and hence your kid should be seen or noticed by drivers. To be noticed, it is wise to follow the procedures given below:

  • Insist your kid to wear reflective materials or light colored attires while strolling or cycling at night
  • Convince your kids regarding the relevance of wearing bright colored clothes during daytime
  • If possible, wave towards the incoming vehicle to indicate your presence on the road

13. Don’t surge

Children display over-enthusiasm whenever they need to meet someone or reach the desired destination. Teach your kids the following tips:

  • Rushing while you board or descend the vehicle can be increasingly hazardous
  • Never distract yourself or children as it can cause menacing results
  • Be calm and don’t surge while walking on the street
  • Never allow them to close the vehicle doors abruptly and guide them to shut the door only with the driver’s authority
  • Do not permit them to play either in the bus bay or on the roads

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