Let's talk about a very serious topic: “Road Safety”. It applies to absolutely all people. Parents are obliged from an early age to teach children the rules of behavior on the road. It is not recommended to run with the child to a red light, even if there are no cars in the distance. After all, you can easily "give" such a habit to the baby.
Consider the following examples, rules, recommendations on different types of roads.
On the highway, avenue, street in the city (controlled traffic)
In large cities, as a rule, there is traffic control traffic. Of course, there are also unregulated areas with zebras. It is best and safer to cross where there is a pedestrian traffic light.
Road safety rules (controlled traffic) within the city are as follows:
- be sure to wait until the traffic light switches to "green";
- Do not run on the "red", even if you can not see in the distance cars;
- Do not scatter when “green” is already flashing at the end of the transition;
- when the “green” light for pedestrians lights up, do not rush to go right away, make sure that all the cars, buses, and trucks have stopped.
The last point is always better to observe. Unfortunately, pedestrians are sometimes hit even in such cases. It is clear that, most likely, the fault of the driver, but his life is more expensive than any evidence. The greatest danger is in winter in icy conditions, as well as at any time of the year during and after heavy rain. The braking distance, as a rule, increases. And it is not always physically possible to brake on time.
At intersections, also look carefully in all directions before moving on to "green."
Where there are no traffic lights, but there is a “zebra” (one-way traffic)
And now consider an option where there is no traffic light, but there is a pedestrian crossing with a “zebra”. Of course, this area is much more dangerous. But, where there is one-way traffic, everything is much simpler. It is recommended to look in both directions anyway, suddenly someone is driving in reverse (giving a move back).
Do not talk on the phone, listen to music when you are heading for such a transition. You need to hear where the car is going. Even if you can’t hear it, you need to see how far it is.
Know that a car, a bus, a trolleybus, a truck should be at a respectful distance (preferably at least 300 meters) from the zebra, and the speed should not be too high. Never cross the road, especially in winter and during / after rain, when it is frozen. Road safety is a very important factor. This must always be remembered. It is enough to give a few examples where pedestrians due to personal negligence became victims of an accident. Why repeat the tragic scenario? Parents should be able to explain such things to their children.
Do not try to cross the road where there is no pedestrian zone. It is better to walk the extra 100 - 200 meters, but be calm. It is worth noting another important point: if you see that the car slows down to stop in front of the “zebra”, then do not rush to cross or even cross the road. Let the transport stop.
Two-way traffic and “zebra” without a traffic light
Where there is two-way traffic, especially multi-lane traffic, it is much more complicated and dangerous. How to ensure safety on roads of this type? Imagine you are standing at a pedestrian crossing. In the extreme row (on your side) the car stopped, go, but not very fast. See in advance whether the transport stopped in the second row, then in the third. In no case do not seek to stop the car, making it clear that you are already walking in front of it. See if all the cars stopped at the oncoming lane. If everyone has braked, feel free to proceed.
Of course, it’s calmer to go along with someone. Often you can watch the picture when pedestrians, without saying a word, wait for each other and together cross. If suddenly, walking along the sidewalk, you see a group of pedestrians ahead, which are already moving from one side to the other, do not rush. After all, cars can already start. Wait for the next right moment to proceed.
On the highway, federal highways
Very interesting, but how do people find themselves on the other side of a huge highway where there are no pedestrian zones and traffic lights? Such an example could be:
- MKAD (Moscow Ring Road);
- highway both within the city and beyond;
- prospectuses within the city;
- federal highways.
Traffic safety, especially on such roads, requires high vigilance from drivers. After all, there is a large flow of cars, there are very high speeds, the number of bands is more than five. Many motorists like to rebuild, overtake. What pedestrian areas can we talk about?
That is why there are both pedestrian crossings and covered bridges over the freeway. Although it’s hard for many to climb stairs (almost 4-5 floors of a residential building), but life is in danger.
Sure, there are pedestrian crossings in some settlements, but there should be a traffic light. Or, where there is no traffic light, the number of lanes should be as small as possible.
In no case should you run out onto the track even if there are no cars on either side.
Unfortunately, you can often find federal highways where there is a crossroads, there is a car, but there is no pedestrian traffic light. Be very careful. It is advisable to go along with other pedestrians, and not alone.
In the countryside and in the villages
A little higher we mentioned tracks with intersections and traffic lights. This happens where there is a settlement. We will tell you what safety should be on the road for children in this case:
- Unaccompanied adults are strictly forbidden to cross the road on their own;
- if the child is riding a bicycle, in a children's car, on a scooter, the rollers are shod, tell him to get ready to walk, while holding an object next to him (rolling).
Now let's talk about roads in settlements. Very often you can see roads without sidewalks in the province, pedestrians have to go along the roadway. If there is no alternative route, then go on the safer side, preferably on the opposite side. We have a right-hand traffic in our country. Therefore, it is worth going on the left side to see oncoming traffic and on time depart as far as possible. An exception may be a sharp turn, beyond which the machine is not visible. Then you have to go where you and the driver will see it.
If it is not possible to walk on the opposite side of the curb, only in the direction of travel, then look around regularly. It is forbidden to cover your ears with headphones, talk on the phone. You should hear everything that happens behind.
On the railway
The time has come to touch upon the topic of “Rail Safety.” Modern rail transport is fast. What does it mean? Let us give an example of trains and electric trains such as Swallow, Sputnik, Sapsan, and any rolling stock with speeds exceeding 200 km / h.
Railroad tracks need to be crossed only where there are traffic lights and transitional “tracks”. If there are none, then see if there are any trains at least 500 meters away from you. In this case there should be no more than two ways. It is forbidden to go where there is an automatic turnout. Naturally, not everyone understands the field of railway transport, it’s just better to have a rule for everyone: do not cross the railway tracks in the wrong place. Only where permitted. Better to go the extra 1.5 km in safety than get under the train.
Biking
In megacities, there are special tracks for cyclists, but not everywhere. If you don’t know the rules, be afraid of cars, drive for the first time, then in no case do not go on the road. Use the sidewalk where there are few people.
What are the basic road safety rules for lovers of two-wheeled vehicles? Getting ready to cross the road, get off the bike and walk. You can’t move along the zebra.
In the yard near the house
Here, child safety on the roads is predominant. Why? Because it is the kids who love to play in the yard. Unfortunately, there is no strict separation of where cars can ride, and where children walk, run, play. Therefore, from an early age, children need to be explained so that they do not run out to where the car can drive.
It is better for parents to repeatedly raise the topic of "Road Safety" for children, to accustom to caution, vigilance.
What happens if you don’t follow the rules?
Very often you can hear on the radio, read in newspapers or see with your own eyes what happens to those who do not follow the rules and do not ensure road safety:
- numerous injuries;
- fatal outcome;
- damage to vehicles and pedestrian items;
- unpleasant investigation procedures by authorities.
It is much better if a person takes the time for personal safety, waits, even if the traffic light switches only after 3 minutes, than becomes a participant in an emergency.
General rules when traveling by road or rail
So we looked at how road safety is implemented. Let's briefly list the basic rules again:
- look around
- do not talk on the phone;
- do not listen to music;
- Do not cross in the wrong place and with a prohibited (red) traffic signal.
Parents should lead small children only by the hand, women with strollers need to remember that the child is closer to the road, so you should definitely look forward.