Mia
Driving can be a fun activity when you first get your license, but driving is also dangerous if you don’t know the rules. Knowledge of some basic traffic laws can go a long way in keeping you safe.
So, today we will look at some laws that will keep you safe while you have fun driving.
Speed
Speed is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in the world today. Speeding can be tempting, especially when the road is free. You want the air to hit your face, get to your destination on time, or you just like the idea of a speeding car.
Whatever you think is a good enough reason to speed – It’s not. To reduce the rate of accidents that happen on the road, speed limit signs are now in place to inform drivers of the maximum speed accepted in different areas.
Some rules to remember when you are driving are – drive slowly when the road is busy, when there is poor visibility and when there are pedestrians or cyclists around.
Traffic Lights
Running traffic lights isn’t something you find people do too often, but it happens. You may be late for an important meeting, have a deadline to meet, or maybe you want to be naughty that day. Whatever the reason may be, running traffic lights will get you a ticket. The lights don’t even have to be red. When the traffic light is yellow, about to turn red, it means you should stop, not test your speed-driving skill.
When the yellow light flashes multiple times before the red or green light, it is called the pelican light. There is also another incident when the yellow light flashes, and it’s when the traffic lights aren’t working. The yellow light informs you to proceed with caution, meaning you should have it at the back of your mind that you should be extra careful as you get closer to the light, and the place where the yellow light flashes for caution is at intersections.
Running a red light or ignoring a yellow light will land you in trouble with the law, and even if the offense may not be severe, you will probably be in need of traffic lawyers to help you with your case. Consulting a lawyer that specializes in the local laws will be able to give you proper insight into what you can and cannot do within the confines of the law.
Driver Fatigue
This rule is more of a safety tip than an outright rule. You can experience fatigue because of a long day’s work, a long cross-country drive, or it’s the time of the day where you aren’t very alert. Whatever the case may be, there are ways to mitigate fatigue. One is to get as much sleep as you can. Research shows that workers who work long shifts and don’t get enough sleep are likely to fall in and out of sleep called micro-sleep on the steering wheel, which has led to crashes and, sometimes, death.
If you are going on a long trip, then get plenty of sleep, take breaks to stretch, and get in some fresh air, as smoking and worn-up windows can cause stale air, which causes drowsiness.
Recognizing and obeying traffic laws should be taken seriously because of how rampant accidents are in our current world. We hope this article was insightful and was of help to you.
Seat Belts
Seat belts are worn first for your safety before anything else. The rule on seat belts is strict because it’s the first countermeasure to save your life if you ever end up in an accident. There are rules for wearing seatbelts, especially for children.
In Australia, children under 7 are to get a child seat and the child properly secured in the chair, while children who are not old enough should sit at the back using their seat belts. A child should sit back because the airbag in front can become a choking hazard to them. If the child must sit in front, move the seat back as far away from the airbag.
Wearing your seat belt is law, and if you are not wearing it, the police can get a ticket for it.
Alcohol
Alcohol is bad for you when driving, and the reason is not far off. It messes with the way your brain works. Alcohol taken in large enough quantities slows the response time, your decision-making skill, and makes it difficult to see what is in front of you. These are not the things you or a friend want to exhibit while driving. As a general rule, it’s best not to drive if you have taken drinks, but if you have to, then it must be within the recommended limit.
No matter where you are in the world, it is always important that you understand the local traffic laws. This is not just for your own safety, but for the safety of others as well. The guide we’ve provided here goes over the basic laws that are universal and should be taken into consideration every time you hit the road.
