Civics Form One Notes – Road Safety
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TOPIC 8: ROAD SAFETY
Meaning of signs
Roads are the hard surfaces ui to tavel on. Tere are the type of roads in Tanzania, These
arc cath roads, gravel roads and tarmac roads
Many times we ead or ear about road accidents, Ii important that road users ake care
avoid road accidents. Roads users are motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Road signs arc also known as trafic signs. There ar signs near the road that give information
or insttion to oad users
There are thre types of oad signs. These are warning sigs, order signs
4nd information signs
‘The warning and information given by these signs gids to directs the road wes on how to wes
the road safely
Interpretations of road signs
Road signs ae international symbols which el rad users how to we the rod propel. Some
examples are warnings like sped limita bending in the oad, pedestrian or cate crossings. The
Road signs carry messages for road uses though symbols, shapes and colors. Thus, road sins
ofthe oad sigs, allowed by thei iterpetation.
Peohibitry signs
e2eee
OBOE
©22e©e@
GO0S2SGO0
@OEOSO°
UAasa =
ASAAAAA
AAAALALA
AAAA AAS
AAAADAA
AAA AA
ALAS AA
HADBL @
YO &
Heo
Police signals to drivers
‘A tefficpoliceman waving fo vehicles coming frm the side
Ns)
eR
\3
fy
nf
‘Atri policeman waving for vehicles coming from the front
D>
,
¥
traffic policeman
An
Categories of rad signs
There ae four type of oad sigs — probbitor, mandsory, danger warning and informative
sien.
Prohibitory and mandatory sighs
“These signs help control the speed of road users. There ate two types: those which allow (permit)
and those which prohibit (limit). Those which permit are usually colored green while those
‘hich prohibit are in ed, They are also enclosed in circles or octagons,
Danger warning signs
‘These signs warn road users to take proper measures to prepare fo the danger ahead. They
comprise of pictures and diagrams which show the dangers, e.g a double bend warning motorists
to slow down, The useful shape is triangles, and the color used is amber.
Informative signs
‘These signs are drawn on the road surface or fixed on post by the roadside to give road users
{important information on how to use the road. They are also enclosed in rectangles, and a blue
color is used forthe information.
Road signs carry messages to road users through symbols, shapes and colors.
Symbols
‘These are signs which give warnings, orders, information or direction and temporary conditions.
1. Warnings
‘These signs warn the road users on dangerous or unusual condition ahead.
2 Orders
“These signs order the driver to follow the given directions
3. Information and direction
‘These signs give information to the road users
Shapes
‘The three types of roads signs are enclosed in different shapes. These shapes help road users to
interpret the signs quickly.
Color
There are different colors which are used with road signs. Each color caries is own meaning to
road users, Below are some colors used with road signs
Color and its Meaning
1, Red Used for “stop”, “do not enter” and to show something wrong
2. Amber Used for warnings.
3. Green – Used for “go” and to give guidance and information
4. Blue Used for signs that give information,
Importance of road signs
1. They make users aware of what is ahead
2. ‘They direct road users on what to do.
3. They help to minimize accidents since the road users are guided to make the right moves.
4. ‘They help road users use the road safely.
[fall road users obey the road sign, there willbe fewer accidents.
Importance of obeying road signs
Failure to obey road signs results in road accidents. Accidents claims life of people and animals
Property is also damaged resulting in losses tothe owners. Sometimes motor vehicles are
‘damaged beyond repair. People may get permanent injuries inthe loss of their capacity to work
and be productive treating the injured persons in hospital is expensive to the government and to
the family concerned.
‘Some benefits of obeying road signs are
1. Itprevents los of life due to careless use of roads.
2. It minimizes road accidents.
3. It prevents damage to property.
4. Itcuts govemment and personal costs of treating the injure.
5. Itreduces trafic jams on the roads
Causes of road accidents
The following are some causes of road acidents:
1. Reckless drivers who drive without caring about other road users Driving recklessly cause
the driver to lose control of his or her vehicle.
2. Lack of road safety education forthe road users.
3. Poor road conditions. Many roads have potholes which make driving difficult and unsafe
4. Some drivers do not put the triangle warning sign when ther vehicle break down on the
road, as the result other road users are not warned tobe in good time about the stalled vehicle.
5. Some vehicles are defective, They should be removed from the vehicle until they are
repaired.
6. Some drivers do not have valid driving licenses forthe vehicle they drive. For example, a
river whose license is for class “C” (that is, fr tractors) should not drive the passenger service
vehicle unless he or she get the proper license
7. Some pedestrians do not obey road safety rules. They cross the road without paying.
attention to on-coming vehicles.
8. Some drivers do not obey road signs
9. Some roads are narrow. Ifa vehicle has a mechanical problems and itis stalls inthe
‘middle ofthe road, it may cause accidents especially when the other vehicle are moving at high
speed
10. Driving while drunk is also the cause of road accidents as the driver does not have full
control on his or her senses. He or she cannot control the vehicle propery.
11, Some vehicle owners overload the vehicle. This make dificult to ster the vehicle,
Consequences of road accidents
Accidents have negative effects on people and property. Some ofthe effects of road accidents
1. Permanent disabilities.
2, Human beings and livestock die due to severe injuries suffered during roads accidents
3. People lose their commodities when transporting them fom one place to another
4. Vehicles are damaged.
5. The public and private lose productive workers due to death or disabilities resulting from
toad accidents
6. Large amount of money is spent in treating road accident victims and in the repairing or
replacing damaged properties.
7. Travelers ate delayed when accident occur
8. Children become orphans when their parents die in accidents resulting in alot of suffering
of children. Some of children end up as stret children
Prevention of road accidents
‘The police traffic records have given usa picture of problem of road accidents in Tanzania
‘Measures must be taken to prevent accidents in order to prevent such a distressing statistis in
the future
‘The following are some of the way of preventing road accidents
1. All oad users must be given proper education on road safety so that they ae careful when
‘sing the roads. This isthe duty of government, all traffi control concerned and the society.
2. Driving license should be issued to qualified people only.
3. Roads must be maintained properly.
4. Vehicle must be inspected before they are licensed to be driven on roads. Public service
vehicles should be inspected regularly,
5. Reckless and drunk drivers should be punished according to the law. Strictly laws that are
properly laws that are properly enforced will discourage drivers ftom driving recklessly.
6. Unqualified drivers should not drive.
7. The disabled, children and the elders shouldbe helped to cross roads
8. Vehicle owners must regularly service their vehicle to ensure they are roadworthy.
9. Drivers who overload their vehicles must be punished according to the law.
10, Road signs should be put onthe roads.
11. Defective motor vehicles must not be allowed on the roads
Chapter summary
Roads are hard surfaces built for vehicle to travel on. There ate three types of roads: earth roads,
aravel roads, tarmac roads,
Road signs are signs near the road that give information or instruction tothe road users
Road signs carry massages for road users through symbols, shapes and colors.
The following are some causes of road accidents:
1. Reckless driving.
2. Lack ofroad safety education
3. Poor road conditions
4, Defective vehicles,
5. Invalid driving licenses
6. Some drivers do not obey road signs
Accidents have negative effects on people and property. Some ofthe effects of road accidents
1, Permanent disabilities.
2. Vehicles are damaged
3. Travelers are delayed.
The end