Section B: CATEGORIES OF ROAD USERS

  • The Motorist
  • The Pedestrian
  • The Cyclist
  • The Motorcyclist
  • The Child
  • Animal
  • The Hawker
  • The Trader

I. THE MOTORIST

This class of road user is enclosed in motor vehicles. Because of this enclosure, they feel protected and often assume absolute immunity from accidents. This is a fatal self delusion for which the Federal Road Safety Commision has coined expression: Accident Immunity Delusion Syndrome (RAIDS).

​Rules for Road Use


Driver's Protection:
  • The driver of a vehicle has only the protection guaranteed by his STRICT obedience to traffic rules.
  • The best protection inside the vehicle is the USE OF SEAT BELT
  • Always fasten your seatbelt and ensure that everyone in your vehicle belts up. S.10(4)(ee), FRSC Act, 2007 

Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs 

  • Never drive after consuming alcoholic drinks or while under the influence of drugs
  • Maximum blood alcohol level for drivers is 0.5gms per litre or 0.05% of blood alcohol (BAC)
  • Alcohol affects your vision, judgement, reduces coordination, and slows down reaction
  • Reduce driving stability even when taken below the legal limit. "DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE". S.10(4)(K), FRSC Act, 2007

​Long distance driving

Driving for long distances tend to make you sleepy. To prevent this, ensure there is plenty of fresh air in your vehicle.
  • Stop in a convenient place, rest and then walk around to let blood circulate and feed your brain adequately.
  • Take a break of 15 minutes after every four (4) hours of driving.
  • Do not rely on stay-awake drugs like coffee, kola nuts, and even chewing sticks.
  • Have co-driver for any journey exceeding 10 hours. 

Avoid fatigue

  • Fatigue is a deadly, yet silent killer that often goes unnoticed.
  • Drivers tend to overestimate their capabilities and thus, do not know when to act on their tiredness.
  • Do not drive if you are unwell, exhausted or tired from over-work, as ability to drive and coordinate becomes difficult when under stress, be it emotional or physical. 

Passenger's Protection/Responsibilities of Drivers 

  • Drivers hold not only their lives but also that of passengers in their hands. 
  • Comprehensive insurance policy offers cover both the vehicle and passengers in the event of injuries or death occurring from road crashes.
  • Vehicle owners are therefore required by Road Transportation Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS) to ensure that their vehicles are properly insured.
  • Drivers are to ensure that passengers enter and disembark at officially designated places where provided.
  • Drivers are not to overload their vehicles with goods or passengers. Passengers stand very high risk of severe injury or death in overloaded vehicles. 

Vehicle protection

  • Keep your vehicle in good working condition, payng particular attention to lights, brakes, steering mechanism, tyres and tyre pressure, direction indicators and wipers.
  • Windscreens and windows should be clean and clear of obstructing materials and ornaments. S.10(4)(w), FRSC Act, 2007 

II. THE PEDESTRIAN

A pedestrian is a person who is walking on the road especially in an area also used by vehicles. Drivers share the road with many other road users among whom are pedestrians who are part of exposed road users.

Generally there are three types of pedestrians most often involved in road traffic crashes: children, the elderly and adults under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Pedestrian protection involves

  • Use of pavement or suitable foot paths where provided. 
  • Walk on the left side of the road facing on-coming traffic, where footpaths are not provided. 
  • While walking in the dark, wear or carry white, bright coloured or reflective clothing as you can be easily seen in them. 
  • While walking in a group, keep to the extreme right of the road.
  • At night, the person in front should wear a reflective clothing.

Traffic drill 

  • Before you cross a road, stop, hold hands, look left, right and look left again. When the road is clear, walk directly and quickly across but keep looking out. Do not run because you may trip over and fall. 

Crossing point

  • You are to use pedestrian crossing, central islands, traffic lights, subways, or foot bridges where provided.
  • Where they are not provided, step onto the road slowly, making sure you can see both ways clearly and that you can be seen.
  • Do not cross the road between or in front of parked vehicles because drivers on the road may not be able to see you.

At a one way street

Before crossing a one-way street with traffic going only in one direction, do your traffic drill.
  • Make sure you know which way the traffic is moving.
  • Step on the street and quickly cross directly.

Wait on the island

  • Where there is an island on the road, cross first to the island.
  • Wait there until the second half of the road clears.
  • Then finish crossing.

At night

Cross the road near lighted area so that you can be seen especially if there is no convenient pedestrian crossing. 

At Guard Rails

Do not cross the road where there are guardrails or other preventive fences to stop you. 

Pedestrian Crossing

  • You have NO right of way at a pedestrian crossing or Zebra Crossing until you have Stepped on it. 
  • Even then ensure no vehicle is coming.
  • When you do, traffic should give way to you. Do your traffic drill before you start to cross, exercise caution. 


At Junctions 

When you cross at a junction, pay attention to traffic turning corner, especially from behind you. 

At Junctions Controlled By Traffic Lights 

  • Watch the traffic as well as the lights.
  • Do not attempt to cross when the lights are green or amber (yellow).
  • At traffic light crossings with push buttons, press the button and wait for the signal to cross.
  • When it comes, cross with care while watching for approaching traffic. 

III. THE CYCLIST

A cyclist is a person that rides a bicycle, motorcycle or tricycle or other such vehicles.
A bicyclist is a person who rides a bicycle by pushing the pedals with his feet.
  • ​Bicycles are considered vehicles and have the same right-of-way as motor vehicles. 
  • Bicyclists are also expected to obey the same traffic rules and regulations as vehicle drivers. Parents or Guardian should ensure that their children or wards do not ride bicycle on the "Highway".​

Cycle care

​Ensure your cycle is in good condition before riding, paying attention to the brakes, tyres, lamps and rear reflectors.

Look Behind

​You should first glance behind before starting off, making turns or pulling up.

​Turning

​Hold out your arm sideways. Left for left turn, right for right turn. Wait until it is safe, and then start turning. Move into position with your arm held out throughout. Give signal in good time. Exercise CAUTION, turn quickly.

​Ride In A Single File

​Do not ride side by side with other cyclists. It is dangerous.

​Safety While Riding:

  • Always hold on to the handlebar firmly and keep your feet on the pedals
  • Do not hold on to another vehicle or another cyclist
  • Do not carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built for that purpose
  • Do not ride too close behind another vehicle
  • Do not carry anything which may affect your balance
  • Do not lead an animal
  • Where there is a cycle path, you must use it

IV. THE MOTORCYCLIST

A motorcyclist is a person that rides a two wheel vehicle, Motorcycle, Tricycle and Moped powered by an engine.
Approximately half of fatal motorcycle crashes involve motor vehicles because of motorists failure to see a motorcycle in traffic until it is too late

​Extra Problems

In addition to problems faced by motor vehicles, motorcyclists are faced with extra problems similar to those faced by pedestrians and bicyclists
  • They are exposed. less stable, small in size and not easily seen by motorists.
  • Motorists find it difficult to judge their distance and speed.

Before You Ride

​Ensure that your motorcycle is in good working condition, paying attention to the brakes, tyres, clutch and throttle, trafficators, mirrors, horn, headlamps and rear lights.

​Riders Protection

  • Wear smart. bright coloured clothing.
  • ​Avoid flowing and flimsy garments, and slippers as they are not particularly protective.
  • Protect your head with safety helmet, thick gloves and riding boots properly fastened even on short trips, as it increases your chances of surviving a crash.
S.10(4)(II), FRSC Act, 2007

​Body Position and Control

  • Sit comfortably on the motorcycle. Hold the handlebars firmly with both hands and keep your feet on the pedals, with your knees against the petrol tank for stability.
  • I You and your motorcycle must move together as a unit by aligning with the motorcycle as you make turns.
  • Do not weave or meander along the roads.
  • Do not squeeze between vehicles.

Before Pulling Out

  • Glance behind, do not start off, make turns or pull up without first glancing behind to see that it is safe.
  • Give clear signal and in good time, of your intention to pull out.

Overloading

  • Do not carry more than one passenger on your motorcycle.
  • Never carry outsized objects or people with outsized objects.
S.1D(4)(t).(x) FRSC Act 2007

Turning

  • Check traffic on both ways. using your mirror and glancing over your shoulder before you reach your turn off.
  • Signal your intention in good time, and as soon as it is safe, take up position to turn, especially when making a left turn, a Make sure your trafficator is on, all the time, plus hand signals if possible. before making a turn.
  • Make sure your trafficator is on, all the time, plus hand signals if possible. before making a turn. S.1D(4)(f), FRSC Act 2007
  • Make your left turn when it is safe to do so.

​Avoid Blind Areas

  • Avoid staying where motorists may not see you.
  • Avoid that spot where you cannot make eye contact with the motorist. If you cannot see his eyes, he may not be able to see you.
  • I At bends, blind intersections. emerging between vehicles or from side road, and at the brow of a hill. always position yourself in a manner that you can see approaching traffic and be seen.

Keep safe Distance

You must not follow closely, or squeeze in between vehicles.
  • Always apply the 'two seconds' rule and when necessary use common sense modifications; the three or four seconds rule.
  • I Do not ride too close to the sides of other vehicles.
  • Doors may be opened, extended mirrors may take a swipe, or a vehicle may swerve.

Approaching an Intersection

Slow down at intersections. A vehicle coming from the other side may enter the space in front of you. Be ready to stop. More motorcycle crashes mostly happen at intersections. Be careful.

Riding in Convoy

Ride in a single file
  • I Keep within speed limits for safety. Leave at least "two seconds" gap between you and the next cyclist.
  • Avoid the danger of being over-run or running over other road users.
  • Being in a convoy demands alertness and concentration.
  • Be focused and alert.

Speed Limit

  • Maximum speed limit for motorcycles in built up area is 50km/hr. Motorcycles under 50cc are not allowed on the highways and expressways.
  • emember! Though your motor bike may be more flexible to manoeuver and may speed like motor cars, you are more vulnerable and unprotected in case of a crash.
3.] n(4)(p), FRSC Act 2007

V. THE CHILD

Child safety: Drivers and Cyclists are urged to be careful near schools, churches, mosques, markets, snack shops, Ice Cream Stalls, Parks, Fruit trees, or street hawkers, because children are usually found in such places.

​what to do when travelling with children:

Child Seats: This is a special safety seat for a child that is fitted into a car, Make sure that the child is correctly placed in a child safety seat. This reduces the possibility of an injury or death in the event of a crash.

Children between the ages of 0-12 months should not ride in the front of the vehicle. This is for their safety.
​
Where children of given age groups are however carried on the front seat, they should ride facing the rear using child restraint.

The child restraint should be attached, such that the child will face the rear of the seat.
  • Children from ages 1 to 7 should ride facing the front of the car in a child seat, strapped properly to the back seat.
  • Do not carry a child on your laps as he or she may be crushed between your body and the dash board if there is a crash.
  • Do not allow children to play with the handle of the doors or locks, use child lock where available.
  • Do not allow children to ride in the luggage area of hatchbacks, station wagons or vans.
  • Do not leave a hatchback open when a child is riding in the back seat.
  • It is against the law to transport children under age 16 at the back of a pickup van.
  • Children from ages 7 and above should ride in a vehicle facing the front but securely restrained with safety belts.
  • When transporting children. the elderly and physically challenged people, the driver must not be under the influence of alcohol/drugs.

​what to do when walking with a child

While walking. face oncoming vehicle; hold the child on your left such that you will be between the child and the vehicle.
Motorists are to stop for or give way to pedestrians, crossing at a zebra crossing sign. Failure to obey attracts a penalty.

​Children of School Age

  • While crossing the road, children should use overhead/foot bridges where they are provided.
  • While walking on the road, children should always face traffic.
  • Children should always use the pavement where provided.
  • Children should not play on the roads!
  • While riding bicycle, children should use bicycle paths where provided or ride towards the kerb facing traffic where t a cycle path is not provided.
  • Children should wear reflective clothes during dusk.

VI. ANIMAL

  • Animals in the vehicles should be kept under control.
  • Ensure they cannot disturb you while driving, especially by keeping them at the back.

Leading an Animal

  • Do not let your pet animal out on its own.
  • While leading an animal on a road that has no foot path, walk on the left hand side of the road, and keep it close to the edge of the road.

Horse Riding

  • When riding a horse, keep to the right side of the road.
  • If you are riding a horse while leading another, you should still keep to the right and keep the led animal on your right side.

Herding Animals

  • When herding animals along or across the road and there is someone with you, send him along to warn drivers at such places like bends, brow of hills where motorists may not be able to see in good time.
  • I Always lead herds of animals in the direction of traffic.