IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY
1. What is road?
A road is a prepared way on the Earth’s surface on which people, vehicles and animals move from one place to another.
2. What is road safety?
Road safety is a situation whereby road users are free from road risks and accidents.
3. Road traffic signs are symbols or marks designed to give instructions to road users so that they can use road properly.
4. The most common traffic signs are;
(i) Zebra crossing
(ii) Traffic lights
(iii) Stop sign of notification
The following are some of traffic signs and their interpretations;
CATTEGORIES OF TRAFFIC ROAD SIGNS
Traffic signs can be grouped as follows;
(i) Command signs
(ii) Warning or precaution signs
(iii) Information signs
I. COMMAND SIGNS
These are signs which help to control the speed of road users. They are divided into two;
(a) Those which allow (permit). They are usually in green colour.
(b) Those which prohibit. They are usually in red.
II. PRECAUTION OR WARNING SIGNS
These are signs which warn the road users to take proper measures against the danger which may occur ahead.
They consist of pictures and diagrams which show the danger or risks road users should avoid.
III. INFORMATION SIGNS
These are signs which are fixed on a post by the road side to give road users important information on how to use the road properly.
IMPORTANCE OF ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS
Road traffic signs are very important because;
(i) They help to prevent accidents as they give information to road users.
(ii) They help to control speed of moving vehicles.
(iii) They help to avoid traffic congestion especially where road intersect (junction)
(iv) They give equal rights to road users. E.g. Zebra crossing and cattle crossing signs
(v) They help to lead the drivers into proper use of road for safety of road users.
(vi) They help to reduce burden of traffic police to control the vehicles. E.g. the use of
traffic lights.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO OBSERVE TRAFFIC SIGNS
If the traffic signs are not observed the following may occur;
(i) Occurrence of road accidents.
(ii) There will be unnecessary traffic jams.
(iii) Increase of loss of lives and damage to property.
(iv) Family sufferings – due to loss of lives or permanent disability of victims of
accidents.
(v) Loss of money, time and other resources treating road accidents victims.
(vi) Accidents or traffic jams delay people to arrive at their destinations e.g. school,
home, work places etc.
CAUSES OF ROAD ACCIDENTS
1. Road accident is a bad event happens in the road unexpectedly and causes damage,
deaths or injuries.
2. Some major causes of road accidents include;
(i) Recklessness and inappropriate driving speed
(ii) Drunkardness
(iii) Poor road quality – e.g. most of our roads are narrow, rough and full of potholes.
(iv) Failure to observe traffic signs
(v) Corruption
(vi) Physical and mental illness of drivers
(vii) Driving mechanically unfit vehicles
(viii) Lack of general awareness among road users about road safety.
(ix) Driving for a long time without resting – a driver may fall asleep.
WAYS/MEASURES OF PREVENTING ROAD ACCIDENTS
(i) Providing road safety education to road users.
(ii) Drivers should learn and observe road signs property.
(iii) Traffic regulations must be followed to avoid corruption.
(iv) Roads should be maintained regularly.
(v) Working hours for drivers should be set so that drivers can get time to rest.
(vi) To introduce strict measures and punishment to those who violate rules/laws.
