Following traffic rules is very important for every person. If these rules are not followed properly, it can lead to very serious accidents and hence also lead to death. Every person owning a vehicle should be well aware of at least the basic traffic laws to make life easier and safer for them as well as the people and objects around them. The following are some tips that everyone should follow:
Drivers should be well aware of the signals and the signboards on the roads. These signals and signboards are away from the roads communicates with the drivers to ensure safety for them as well as the people around them. Although most drivers are supposed to know such rules or they won’t be able to pass their driving test, they sometimes do forget. When approaching a roundabout, the best thing before approaching any obstacle is to slow down. As a result, slow down your speed to about 20 km/hr and then approach the roundabout. Once you approach the roundabout, you will be able to see multiple signboards that will direct you towards the correct lane after you pass the roundabout. In most countries, there are no such roundabout signs, so you will have to go with the general rule with a two-lane approach. The general rules are:
- Vehicles that have to turn left should be in the left lane
- Vehicles that have to turn right should be in the right lane
- Vehicles that want to head straight can be either in the left or the right lane
Most roundabouts have crosswalks or zebra crossings, so you need to make sure that you are not blocking them, to allow pedestrians to walk freely. In addition to this, you need to make sure that you slow down your speed if you see the roundabout having too many cars. If you try to move into the roundabout with too many cars, you are just making the traffic worse and creating further problems. As a result, it is best to wait for those cars to move out as they have the right of way. Another great way to use the roundabout is to stick to the asphalt lane if you want to drive counterclockwise.
Let us now see some emergency rules related to the roundabouts. Most roundabouts in almost every country in the world have a lifted or a colored lane right beside the center of the roundabouts. These lifted or bright colored lanes are for emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and even police escort vehicles. Moreover, if an emergency vehicle approaches and its reserved lane is blocked by cars, try your best to give way instead of deliberately blocking it.
Moving on, the use of indicators is extremely important while driving and while moving into roundabouts. These indicators are methods of communicating with other people in cars or people on the footpaths waiting to cross the roads. Before you exit the roundabout, turn on your indicators in the direction you want to go. It will educate the people in cars and on footpaths about your direction.
However, we need to keep in mind that vehicles are not the only things that use the road and its rules to move from one place to the other. For instance, cyclists also use roads and hence they will also have to follow such important rules. Before entering a roundabout, the cyclist also needs to communicate with the people on the roads. They can use their hands to signal their direction to others. Before you enter a roundabout, it is best to merge with the traffic flow as it makes a part of the herd and you can save yourself from a major speeding accident. In addition to this, you should try to stay in the middle to avoid any collision with vehicles exiting the roundabout. When going on a bike path, make sure that you are aware of the pedestrians and not harm them.
Pedestrians should also cross the roundabouts with extreme care. They should use the sidewalks and crosswalks around the outside of the roundabout and not try to cross the middle of the roundabout. Wait for all the vehicles to pass and then cross. Roundabouts are beneficial as they regulate traffic flow and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.