The

Highway
Code
©Ministry of Infrastructure Development
United Republic of Tanzania
October 2008

ISBN 978 9987 9171 3 6

ii
Contents

Foreword............................................................................. 1
Introduction......................................................................... 3
Advice for all road users........................................................ 5
Rules for pedestrians............................................................ 6
General guidance..................................................................... 6
Crossing the road..................................................................... 7
Rules for cyclists.................................................................. 9
General guidance..................................................................... 9
Road junctions....................................................................... 11
Crossing the road................................................................... 12
Rules for the passenger using buses, daladalas, taxis, and
motorcycles....................................................................... 13
Rules for persons in charge of animals................................... 14
Rules for drivers of motor vehicles........................................ 15
Before you set off................................................................... 15
Driving along......................................................................... 18
Speed................................................................................... 23
Overtaking............................................................................ 24
Junctions............................................................................... 28
Special advice for drivers at roundabouts................................... 33
Driving at night or in bad weather............................................ 34
Reversing.............................................................................. 35
Parking................................................................................. 36
Taking care with pedestrians and other vulnerable road users...... 37
Rail crossings......................................................................... 39
Breakdowns....................................................................... 41
If there is a crash............................................................... 42
First Aid............................................................................ 43
Traffic signs....................................................................... 47

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iv
Foreword

The Highway Code is a set of rules and advice on how to use our roads.
These are based on road traffic law and good driving practice. Conflicts
are inherent in any road traffic system, but if we all adopt the same
rules when on the road, and behave in a considerate and responsible
manner towards others, our road travel will be safer and less stressful.
The Highway Code will be of particular interest to learner drivers,
because they need to know it in order to pass the driving test, but we
recommend that, even if you have been driving for some time, you read
the Code in order to refresh your knowledge of the rules. The Highway
Code also contains much useful advice for pedestrians, cyclists and other
vulnerable road users - they too have a duty to behave in a considerate
and careful manner.

We urge all road users to study the Highway Code and follow the advice
given. If everyone does this, road travel will become a much safer and
more pleasant experience.

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2
Introduction

The Road Traffic Act [CAP 168 R.E. 2002] establishes the Highway Code
as the official guide to using our roads safely and efficiently. It is for all
those who travel on the road, including pedestrians, cyclists, motor-
cyclists and drivers. If everyone follows the Code there will be less
crashes and fewer traffic jams.

The Highway Code is a mixture of rules and advice. The rules are a
simple interpretation of the complex provisions of the Road Traffic Act
and associated Regulations. If you disobey them you are committing an
offence, and, if caught and convicted, you may be fined and disqualified
from driving. You can also be sent to prison for up to five years. Where
you see the words “MUST” or “MUST NOT” it means that you are
required to follow this instruction by law. Traffic law will change in the
coming years and you should check with your local police if you are in
any doubt about the current rules.

The Highway Code contains much good advice for road users. Failure to
follow this advice is not, in itself, an offence, but this fact may be used
in court proceedings as evidence that you were behaving in an unsafe
manner.

Driving on our busy roads is a complex task and it is impossible to give

rules and advice that cover every possible situation you will encounter.
Use common sense, and always give way if it can help to avoid a
collision.

The Highway Code tries to explain things in simple language, but some
of the terms used may be unfamiliar to you, or have a slightly different
meaning to what you are used to. A short guide is given below:

“Driver” means any person who drives a motor vehicle or other vehicle
(including a cycle) or who guides animals on a road
“Dual carriageway” means a road where the opposing flows of traffic
are physically separated by a “median” or barrier
“Give way” means that a driver must not continue, if to do so would
force the drivers of other vehicles to change speed or direction quickly
“Lane” means part of a road which has been marked out for use by one
moving line of vehicles

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“Road user” means anyone travelling, or present on a road, or in a
vehicle on a road
“Traffic” means moving vehicles
“Vehicle” means any machine propelled along the road by any power,
and includes bicycles, hand carts, and animal-drawn carts
“Zebra crossing” means a pedestrian crossing marked by white stripes
parallel to the flow of traffic.

This Highway Code has been produced by the Road Safety Unit of
the Ministry of Infrastructure Development in collaboration with the
Tanzania Police Force. The work was supported by Danish International
Development Assistance. Many sources were consulted to find the best
advice on using roads safely. The authors wish to acknowledge the use of
material from the SATCC Manual for Learner Drivers, the UN-ECA Guide
for Drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles, the Highway Code for Uganda,
and an earlier draft Highway Code prepared by the National Institute of
Transport. The Tanzania Red Cross Society kindly helped with the section
on first aid.

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Advice for all road users

Be fit and well. You have to be fit and well to use the road safely. If you
are not well, do not drive. Get help if you want to walk somewhere. Do
not use the road if have been using alcohol or drugs to the extent that
you are not fully in control of yourself. If you are taking medicine ask
your doctor for advice on whether you should drive.

Be responsible. You have a duty to make every effort to avoid doing

anything that might result in harm to others. This includes things that
are known to be dangerous, such as speeding, drinking and driving, and
overtaking at a bend.

Concentrate. Safe use of the road requires your full concentration,

whether you are a driver or a pedestrian. Do not let others distract you.

Be calm and patient. Avoid getting angry about the bad behaviour
of others. Never try to punish them. Be patient in traffic jams, and do
not make things worse by trying to get ahead of those in front of you.
Do not use the road if you are angry, over-excited or very upset about
something.

Be helpful to others. If everyone follows the rules and is helpful to

others there will be less delays. Selfishness makes things worse for
everyone and can be dangerous.

Protect the vulnerable. You have a duty to protect and assist old
people, the disabled, and children. Drivers of motor vehicles must take
extra care when sharing the road with those who have little protection
against injury – this includes all pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Do not make unnecessary noise. Excessive noise is distracting and

tiring. If you are driving a vehicle remember that the horn is for use only
in an emergency.

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Rules for pedestrians

General guidance
Behave responsibly. You MUST NOT behave in any way that may be
dangerous to yourself or other road users.

Use the footpath. When there is a footpath or paved footway use it. Do
not walk close to the edge of the road with your back to the traffic. Never
step onto the road unless you have made sure it is safe to do so.

Walk on the right. Where there is

no footpath or pavement, walk
on the extreme right-hand side of
the road so that you can see the
oncoming traffic. Whenever possible,
especially on narrow roads or in poor
light, walk in single file. Take extra
care at sharp right-hand bends.

Make yourself easy to see.

Always wear or carry something that will help you to be seen. Bright or
fluorescent items will help you to be seen in poor visibility during the
day. At night use reflective materials which can be seen in headlights.

Walking with children. Do not let young children out alone on the
pavement or road. When taking children out, walk between them and the
traffic while holding their hands firmly.

Walking in a group. If a group of people are involved in an organised

march on the road they should keep to the extreme right. Organisers
should make sure there are look-outs in front and at the back who wear
fluorescent clothes in daylight and reflective clothes in the dark.

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Crossing the road
Follow this Crossing Code:
1. Find a safe place to cross
2. Stop at the edge of the road
3. Look for traffic to the left, right, and all around you, and
listen
4. If there is traffic coming, let it pass
5. When there is no traffic coming, walk straight across the
road - do not run
6. Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross

Safe places to cross. Choose a place where you can see clearly in all
directions, and the traffic can see you. For this reason, cross the road
well away from any sharp bends. Places where it is safer to cross the
road include traffic lights, zebra crossings, traffic islands in the road,
footbridges and underpasses, or where there is a police officer, school
crossing patrol or traffic warden.

Crossing at a traffic island. If there is a traffic island in the centre of

the road, use the Crossing Code to cross to the island and then stop. Use
the same procedure to cross the remaining part of the road.

Crossing at a zebra crossing. If there is a zebra crossing

nearby then use it. Give drivers plenty of time to see you
and to stop before you cross. Drivers are required by law to
stop if you are waiting to cross, but do not cross until you
are sure they are going to stop. Then walk straight across,
but keep looking and listening.

Crossing at traffic lights. In some places

there are traffic light signals which instruct the
traffic when to stop and pedestrians when to
cross. When the red “standing man” signal is
showing you MUST NOT cross. When the lights
change to show a steady green “walking man” signal, check that the
traffic has stopped and then cross with care. After a while the green
signal will start to flash, and this means that you should not start to
cross, because the traffic is about to start moving again.

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If the traffic lights do not have special signals for pedestrians, watch
carefully and do not cross until the lights are red and the traffic has
stopped. Even then, look out for traffic turning the corner. Remember
that traffic lights may let traffic move in some lanes while other lanes are
stopped.

Crossings controlled by police, traffic wardens or school crossing

patrols. Where a police officer or other authorised person is controlling
the traffic, you MUST NOT cross the road until they signal you to do so.
Always cross in front of them.

Do not climb over guardrails. In some places guardrails have been

installed to stop pedestrians from crossing the road and to direct them to
a safer crossing point. Do not climb over the guardrails, or walk between
them and the road. Cross at the gaps provided.

Crossing one way streets and bus and cycle lanes. Check which way
the traffic is moving, then use the Crossing Code to cross the road. Be
extra careful because the vehicles may be moving faster than normal.

Do not cross between parked vehicles. If you have to cross between

vehicles, use the outside edge of the vehicles as if it were the road edge.
Stop there and make sure you can see all around and that the traffic can
see you. Proceed to cross using the Crossing Code. Do not stand in front
of or behind any stopped vehicle that has its engine running.

At night, cross near street lights. If there are no traffic lights, zebra
crossings or traffic islands that you can use, cross near street lights, so
that traffic can see you more easily. Wear light-coloured or fluorescent
materials to make it easier for others to see you at night.

Never cross the road directly behind or in front of a bus. Never

cross the road by the bus - wait until it has moved off, so that you can
see the road clearly in both directions.

Do not cross in front of emergency vehicles. If you see or hear

ambulances, fire engines, police or other emergency vehicles with their
lights flashing and sirens sounding, keep off the road until they have
gone past.

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Crossing with children. Young children do not realise how dangerous
the road is, and they are not very good at judging speed and distance.
Because they are children they are easily distracted, and may do silly
things. Never let young children cross the road by themselves. Always
hold their hand firmly as you cross. Children learn by example, so always
use the Crossing Code when you cross the road, and explain it to them.

Rules for cyclists

General guidance
Obey the traffic rules. You should normally follow the same rules of
the road that apply to drivers of motor vehicles. You MUST obey all traffic
signs, signals, road markings as well as instructions given by police
officers. You MUST NOT ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate
manner.

Choose the right size of cycle. For comfort and safety make sure the
cycle is not too big or too small for you.

Choose a cycle with good-quality lights and reflectors. Drivers find

it hard to see cyclists, especially at night. Good reflectors, such as those
built into the pedals, will help you to be seen more easily.

Always keep your cycle in good order. Make sure that:

• lights and reflectors are clean and in good working order
• tyres are in good condition and inflated to the pressure recommended
by the manufacturer
• brakes and gears are working correctly
• chain is properly adjusted and oiled
• saddle is adjusted to the correct height.

Use a bell. You MUST fit a bell to your cycle and use it when it is
appropriate to warn other road users of your presence.

Cycling at night. At night you MUST use lights (white to the front, red
to the back). Your cycle MUST have a red rear reflector.

Safety equipment and clothing. Wear protective gear such as

a properly-fitting cycle helmet that conforms to recognised safety
standards. Avoid long coats or clothes that may get tangled in the chain

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or wheels. Always wear bright or light-coloured
clothing, preferably a high-visibility yellow
jacket with reflective strips. Reflective arm or
ankle bands are also helpful.

Look - signal - action. Look behind you

before moving off, overtaking, moving into the
centre of the road to turn right, and stopping.
Check that nothing is coming. Then give a clear
arm signal to show your intention, and make
your move.

Safe riding. When riding:

• keep both hands on the handlebars except
when signalling
• keep both feet on the pedals
• do not hold on to other vehicles or cycles
• do not ride close behind a motor vehicle
• do not carry passengers unless your cycle is
built or adapted to carry one
• do not carry anything that will make it
difficult for you to ride the cycle
• ride on the left side of the road near the
edge
• ride in single file (one behind the other).

In rural areas you may cycle on village paths, but only at slow speed.
Take great care not to frighten or inconvenience pedestrians.

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Obstructions. Look well ahead for obstructions, such as potholes, pools
of water and parked cars, so that you do not have to swerve suddenly to
avoid them. Leave plenty of room when you pass parked cars, and watch
out for doors being opened into your path. Take care near road humps,
road narrowings and other traffic calming features - do not ride along a
drainage channel or onto a footpath in order to go round them.

Don’t drink and cycle. You MUST NOT ride under the influence of
drugs, alcohol or any intoxicating substance.

Use cycle lanes and cycle tracks if provided. Cycle lanes may be
marked by a broken yellow line plus cycle symbol. You should keep
within the lane and watch for traffic leaving or entering side roads.
On some roads there are cycle tracks that are separate from the main
carriageway. Where the track is shared with a footpath, keep to the
side marked for cyclists and take care not to frighten or inconvenience
pedestrians.

Bus lanes. A cyclist may only use the bus lane if the traffic signs include
a cycle symbol. Be extra careful when overtaking a bus or leaving a bus
lane.

Don’t leave your cycle where it will cause obstruction. Leave your
cycle in a safe place. Use cycle parking facilities where they are provided.

Road junctions
Slow down and be extra careful at junctions because drivers may not
notice you amongst other traffic. Never assume that drivers have seen
you. If you find the junction is too complex and difficult, stop and get
off - then walk with your cycle across the road, following the route that
other pedestrians are taking.

Watch out for vehicles turning in front of you. Watch for drivers
coming out of side roads - they may not have seen you. Do not ride on
the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left - drivers of
large and long vehicles sometimes fail to check that they have got well
past you before they turn left.

Turning right. When making a right turn, check the traffic behind you, give
the appropriate signal, and when it is safe move to the centre of the road.
Wait until there is a safe gap in the traffic before completing the turn.

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Roundabouts. Take extra care at roundabouts because drivers often
fail to see and give way to cyclists. It is generally safer to approach
the roundabout in the left-hand lane and continue to keep to the left
in the roundabout - take extra care when cycling across the exits, and
you may need to signal right to show drivers that you are not leaving
the roundabout. Watch out for vehicles crossing your path to leave or
join the roundabout. It is always safer to let long vehicles clear the
roundabout before you proceed.

If you are not sure you can cycle safely through the roundabout, stop
and get off the cycle and walk with it on the footpath. Use the Crossing
Code when you cross the entry roads.

Signal-controlled junctions. Follow the instructions given by the traffic

light signals. You MUST stop if the red or yellow signals are showing.
Stop at the STOP line or take your position in the queue of waiting
vehicles.

Crossing the road

Do not ride across a zebra crossing or a signal-controlled pedestrian
crossing - get off and walk your cycle across.

Take great care when crossing or turning into a dual carriageway road
because the traffic will usually be moving very quickly. Wait for a safe
gap and cross each carriageway in turn.

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Rules for the passenger using buses, daladalas,
taxis, and motorcycles

Your safety is very much in the hands of the driver, but there are things
you can do to help make your journey a safe one:

Always:
• Wait for buses, daladalas and taxis to pick you up at safe places, such
as proper bus and taxi stops
• Wait for the vehicle at the side of the road – not on the road
• Let the vehicle come to a complete stop before getting on or off
• Always let the other passengers get out first before you get in
• Be careful when opening the door of a vehicle - it may hit someone
• Get down from the vehicle only at proper stops at the side of the road
• Use the seat belt if there is one.

Never do these things:

• Get into a vehicle that looks to be in bad condition
• Get onto a motorcycle if it is already carrying a passenger
• Push others while getting in or out of a vehicle
• Distract the driver or crowd him
• Encourage the driver to speed or drive dangerously
• Interfere with the controls of the vehicle (including the air
conditioning and music system)
• Sit with your head or arm out of the window - you could be seriously
injured by a passing vehicle
• Hang onto the outside of a vehicle
• Travel on the roof - it is much more dangerous than being inside
• Sit at the front if you are a child
• Sit at the front if carrying a baby or young child
• Throw things out of the window
• Be a nuisance to other passengers
• Accept food or drink from strangers
• Cross the road immediately in front of or behind the vehicle - drivers
of other vehicles will not be able to see you
• Travel in the back of pick-ups, trucks and other vehicles meant to
carry goods only - it is very dangerous
• Get into vehicles which are already full.

Encourage drivers to drive in a safe and serious manner. Complain to

them in a friendly way, if they drive dangerously, you see them drinking

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alcohol, or they let an unqualified helper drive. If they do not behave
sensibly, get out of the vehicle at the next stop, note down the vehicle’s
registration number and tell the Police. Better to lose the money you
have paid for the trip than to lose your life.

Protest to the driver or helper if they try to take on passengers when

the vehicle is already full.

Rules for persons in charge of animals

You MUST keep any animal in your charge under proper control. This
applies whether you have one animal or a large herd.

Where there are

more than a few
animals you should
have two persons,
one at the front and
one at the back. At
danger points such
as sharp bends and
the top of hills send
the one at the front
ahead to warn other
road users. On high-
speed roads you
should also have
flagmen to warn
approaching traffic –
one of them should
be 100m in front of
the herd, and the other one should be 100m behind the herd. Never herd
animals at night.

You MUST have a permit from the Police if you want to herd more than
50 animals along any road or street.

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Rules for drivers of motor vehicles

Before you set off

You:
• MUST hold a valid driving licence for the class of vehicle you are
driving (you can drive on a valid international licence or foreign licence
for six months after your first arrival in Tanzania)
• must be feeling well - not ill or tired
• MUST be able to see properly (able to read a vehicle number plate
from a distance of 20 metres) - if you need glasses or contact lenses
to do this you MUST wear them when driving - do not use sunglasses
at night or in poor visibility
• MUST NOT be incapable of controlling the vehicle due to having drunk
alcohol or taken drugs - the only way to be sure of this is not to drink
any alcohol or take any drugs
• must make sure that, when young children are in the car, they are in
the rear seats of the vehicle, they are under the control of an adult,
and the doors are locked (use child locks) - it is recommended that
you fit and use appropriate child restraints (baby carrier, child seat, or
booster seat for older children)
• MUST fasten your seat belt and MUST ensure any front-seat passenger
has also fastened their seat belt - it is strongly recommended that
passengers in the rear seats also wear seat belts
• must adjust your seat and mirrors so that you can operate the
controls comfortably, and can see all around the vehicle.

You MUST carry with you:

• your driving licence
• the vehicle’s original certificate of registration or an authenticated copy

You MUST display on the vehicle:

• a valid road licence sticker for the vehicle
• a valid insurance sticker
(except Government-owned vehicles)

Your vehicle MUST:

• be in a mechanically safe condition
• be within the permitted dimensions
• comply with all construction standards (Tanzania Bureau of Standards)
• comply with limits on the number of passengers that can be carried

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• be safely loaded, in accordance with the regulations - make sure that
any loads carried are secure and do not stick out dangerously - tie a
warning tag onto the end of a load that extends beyond the rear of the
vehicle
• comply with maximum weight regulations.

Regular safety check (motor vehicles):

o check wheels are in good order and nuts secure
o check there is adequate fuel, oil, brake fluid, water, and windscreen
wash
o check that the windscreen wipers are working
o check tyres, including spare, for damage, tread depth
(recommended minimum: 3mm), and pressure
o check lights and indicators are in working order
o check horn is working correctly
o check that all glass is clean inside and out, and that the mirrors and
reflectors are clean
o check outside of vehicle for damage or defects
o check that tools and jack are present and in working order
o check for abnormal noise when the engine is idling.

Do not drive when tired or ill. Driving can make you feel sleepy. This
may be avoided by ensuring that there is enough supply of fresh air into
your vehicle. If you feel tired when driving find a safe place to stop and
rest. Drinking two cups of coffee may help. It is recommended that you
take a 30-minute break after every 3 hours of driving. Do not drive for
more than 9 hours per day. Avoid starting a long journey late at night.
Drivers of commercial vehicles must comply with the drivers hours
regulations.

Do not drive when ill. If you are taking medicine ask your doctor or
pharmacist if it is safe to drive. If you become permanently ill or disabled
and your doctor says it is no longer safe for you to drive you must
surrender your driving licence to the Police.

Do not drink and drive. Alcohol reduces your coordination, slows down
your reactions, affects your judgement of speed, distance and risk, and
gives you a false sense of confidence. It is prohibited to drive with a
blood alcohol level higher than 80mg/100ml, but your driving may be
affected long before you reach this limit. So, it is best not to drink any
alcohol before driving. Remember that it takes time for alcohol to leave
your body, so you may be unfit to drive in the evening after drinking

16
at lunchtime. Drivers of buses, daladalas, and goods vehicles providing
transport services, MUST NOT drink any alcohol before driving.

If you are learning to drive. You MUST hold a valid learner drivers’
licence, and while driving you MUST be supervised by a registered driving
instructor working for a licensed driving school. If you are learning to
ride a motorcycle, scooter or moped you should take basic training with a
licensed driving school before riding on the road - you should not carry a
pillion passenger. All vehicles (including motorcycles and mopeds) under
the control of a learner MUST display approved Learner (L) plates.

Advice for motorcyclists. The driver of a motorcycle or scooter MUST

wear an approved safety helmet that is fastened securely. It is strongly
recommended that the pillion passenger also wears a helmet. You MUST
NOT carry more than one passenger.

All riders are advised to wear eye protectors, and strong boots, gloves,
and clothes that will help protect you if you fall off. Pillion passengers
must sit astride the machine on a proper seat and keep both feet on
the footrests. Always wear bright or light-coloured clothing, preferably a
high-visibility yellow jacket with reflective strips. It is recommended that
you use dipped headlights during the day, as this will make you much
more visible.

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Driving along
Drive safely. You MUST NOT drive dangerously or recklessly. This
is defined as behaviour which a competent driver would regard as
dangerous - such as overtaking another vehicle on a sharp bend where
you cannot see far ahead.

Drive carefully. You MUST NOT drive carelessly. You must be alert and
cautious at all times. It is careless to let yourself be distracted while
driving, or not look properly to see if the main road is clear before you
turn into it.

Be considerate to others. Don’t drive as if you are in a race against

the other drivers. Drive calmly and be patient if others make mistakes.
Never force smaller vehicles to move out of your way.

Concentrate - don’t get distracted. Avoid talking or arguing with

passengers. Don’t eat, drink, read or smoke while driving. Never use a
mobile phone while driving - even if you have hands-free equipment.
Find a safe place to stop, and then use your phone.

Keep shifting your glance. Never stare at one place for more than 2
seconds - keep moving your eyes around to make sure you do not miss
anything - look far ahead and to the left and right - and every 5 seconds
check in your mirrors, even when you think there is no traffic around.

Practice defensive driving. Look out for possible problems ahead, such
as a child chasing a ball, or a car approaching fast along a side road. If
there is a vehicle at the side of the road with a driver in it, expect it to
pull out suddenly in front of you. If a bus has stopped ahead of you, be

18
ready for passengers to cross the road from behind it. When you see a
possible problem like this, slow down and be prepared to take action to
avoid a collision.

Use signals to warn and inform other road users. You MUST
use direction indicators or hand signals before changing course or
direction, stopping or moving off. Give clear signals in plenty of time, and
remember to cancel them after use.

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Use the horn only if you must warn other road users that you are
there. If drivers use the horn too much, road users will stop taking
notice of it. Don’t use the horn to say “hello” or to show you are angry
with someone, or to tell the driver ahead to hurry up and get going. Do
not use the horn outside hospitals, courtrooms and schools, or between
11p.m. and 6a.m. in town. Avoid using the horn in National Parks and
Game Reserves.

Flash your headlights only to let other road users know that you are
there, in situations where the horn might not be heard or at night in
town. Do not flash your headlights to show that you are angry or to
try and claim the right of way. If another driver flashes at you, do not
assume that it is a signal that they are letting you go first.

Obey the traffic signs. You MUST obey all traffic light signals, and
traffic signs and road markings giving orders. Make sure you know
and act on all other traffic signs and markings. The last section of this
Highway Code contains illustrations of all the signs. You MUST also obey
signals given by uniformed police officers and other authorised persons.
Their signals have precedence over all other signs and markings.

Moving off. Before moving off, always use your mirrors, signal, and look
over your shoulder to check that the road is clear. Move off only when
you have satisfied yourself that it is safe to do so.

Keep to the left. You MUST drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Slow-moving vehicles (bicycles, bullock carts, hand-carts, tractors, etc.)
must keep to the left-hand side and allow faster vehicles to overtake
them.

You MUST NOT drive on footpaths, paved footways or other

pedestrian areas.

Don’t hold up traffic behind you. You MUST NOT drive unreasonably
slowly. If you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle and there is a
queue of traffic building up behind you, you MUST find a place to pull in
safely and let the other vehicles overtake.

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21
Mirrors - signal - action. Use your mirrors often so that you always
know what is behind and around you. Use your mirrors well before you
turn or change position, and then give the appropriate signal.

Motorcyclists are advised to look behind them before changing position

and turning right.

Keep in lane. Where there is more than one lane in the same direction,
use the left lane for going ahead and the others for overtaking, turning
right, or passing stationary vehicles. Do not stay in the right-hand lane
longer than is necessary. When changing lanes, remember mirrors -
signal - action.

Traffic queues. If there is a line of stopped traffic ahead, join the back
of it. You must not “jump the queue”. Be patient. Always stop your
vehicle so that you can see the rear tyres of the vehicle ahead – it may
run back a little when it starts off. If you come to a zebra crossing while
in a queue do not stop on the crossing - leave it clear for pedestrians to
use.

22
Speed
Drive at a safe speed. You MUST NOT drive at a speed that might
be dangerous to others. Keep adjusting your speed to suit the
circumstances. For example, slow down if you are approaching a
bend, narrow bridge, or junction, or an area where there are lots of
pedestrians. Select the gear that will give you the most control. Drive
more slowly if the road is wet, or the visibility is poor. Drive more slowly
at night, when it is harder to see pedestrians, cyclists, animals, and
parked or broken-down vehicles.

Driving on unsealed roads. Always drive more slowly on unsealed

roads, steer gently, and avoid hard braking. Unsealed road surfaces are
more slippery than asphalt, and your tyres have 50% less grip.

Drive so that you can always stop in time to avoid hitting

anything. Drive at a speed which will allow you to stop well within the
distance you can see to be clear. Never speed into a sharp bend or over
the top of a hill - what if a vehicle has broken-down just out of sight?
Remember that, if you double your speed, your stopping distance
increases by three times - see diagram. The stopping distance will be

23
much longer than this on wet or unsealed roads. Large vehicles and
motorcycles always take longer to stop than cars.

As a general rule you should always keep a 2-second gap between your
vehicle and the one in front. One of the methods used to measure this
gap while driving is to count “one thousand and one, one thousand and
two” when the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed point. If you pass
the fixed point before your count is complete, you are too close.

Obey the speed limits. You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed
limit for your vehicle. Currently the legal limits are:
50km/h for all vehicles in built-up areas (even if there is no traffic sign)
80km/h for heavy goods vehicles (>3500kgs gross vehicle weight) and
public service vehicles (buses, coaches, but not taxis) outside built-up
areas
100km/h is the advisory maximum speed for cars and other light
vehicles outside built-up areas.
These limits may be varied by a local speed limit shown by a regulatory
traffic sign. You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed indicated on
the sign. Remember that a speed limit does not mean that it will
always be safe to drive at that speed. You must drive at a speed that
is safe for the road, traffic, and weather conditions.

Overtaking
Before overtaking you MUST make sure:
• the road is sufficiently clear ahead
• the vehicle behind is not beginning to overtake you
• the vehicle ahead is not overtaking another vehicle
• there is a big enough gap in front of the vehicle you are about to
overtake

Do not overtake unless you are sure you can do so without causing
danger to other road users or to yourself. If in doubt do not overtake.

Do not overtake a moving or parked vehicle:

• if a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction - unless you are
sure you can do so without forcing that vehicle to slow down or swerve
to avoid you
• where the vehicle to be overtaken is signalling to turn right

24
• where you cannot see far enough ahead, such as at a bend or near the
top of a hill
• at junctions
• at or near zebra crossings or other pedestrian crossings
• at or near railway crossings
• where you would have to enter a lane reserved for buses or cyclists
• where you would have to drive over an area marked with diagonal
stripes or chevrons
• where overtaking is prohibited by the “No Overtaking” sign or road
markings.

Road markings that tell you when you can overtake.

If the white centreline marking is broken (- - - - ) you may cross the
line to overtake, if it is safe to do so. If the white centreline marking
is unbroken (________), you MUST NOT cross the line, unless it is
necessary to pass a stationary vehicle or turn into a side road. Where
there are two centrelines it is the line nearest to you that applies to you.

25
Unsafe places to overtake

26
Basic procedure for
overtaking. Before you start
to overtake make sure that the
road is sufficiently clear ahead
to enable you to overtake and
return to the left side without
forcing any other vehicle to
slow down or turn sharply to
miss you. If in doubt – do not
overtake. Use your mirrors to
check that no-one is overtaking
you. Signal before you start
to move out [1]. Take extra
care at night and in mist or
heavy rain when it is harder
to judge speed and distance.
Remember: mirrors - signal
- action

If you are unsure what the

driver of the vehicle ahead is
going to do, sound the horn.
Once you have started to
overtake, [2] move quickly
past the vehicle you are
overtaking and leave it plenty of room. When overtaking cyclists or
motorcyclists give them at least as much room as you would give a car.
Move back to the left side of the road as soon as you can, [3] but do
not cut in so sharply that the vehicle you are overtaking has to brake or
make a sharp turn to avoid you. Check this by looking to see the vehicle
in your mirror.

If you are being overtaken. Do not increase your speed when you are
being overtaken. Move to the left if you can do so safely. Slow down if
necessary to let the overtaking vehicle pass quickly and safely.

Overtake on the right. You MUST always overtake on the right, except
when:
• the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room
to overtake on the left safely (do not drive onto the shoulder or
footpath);

27
• traffic is moving slowly in lanes, and vehicles in a lane on the right are
moving more slowly than you are.

When others signal you to overtake. Sometimes the driver of a

vehicle ahead of you signals that the road is clear for you to overtake. Do
not assume that the driver is right. Overtake only when you can see that
the road is clear.

If the vehicle you are overtaking speeds up or resists in any way,

stop trying to overtake. Never get into a race with another driver.

Junctions
Approaching a road junction. Many collisions happen at junctions, so
take extra care. Look out for junctions ahead, and assess what action,
if any, you will need to take. Make sure that your vehicle is positioned
correctly for the move you are going to make and that you are travelling
at an appropriate speed.

Get in the correct lane or

position. If the road is marked
into lanes, get in the correct lane
in good time. Take note of arrow
markings that show which lane is
for which direction. Do not change
lanes without good reason. If there
is a queue of traffic ahead, do not try
and “jump the queue” - be patient.

Obey the priority rules. At a

junction with a “STOP” sign (it will
also have an unbroken white “STOP” line across the road) you MUST
come to a complete stop at the line. Look carefully to see if there is any
traffic coming. Wait for a safe gap before you move off.

At a junction with a “GIVE WAY” sign or marking (a broken white line

across the road) you MUST give way to traffic on the other road. Wait for
a safe gap before you move off - you must not force the other vehicles to
slow down sharply or swerve to avoid you.

In the absence of any signs and markings, always remember to give way
to traffic coming from the right.

28
Where you have the right of way, go forward cautiously and be ready,
if necessary, to slow down and stop to avoid a collision.

Do not enter a junction until your exit is clear. Do not jam up the
junction unnecessarily. Stay back and allow other vehicles to cross in
front of you. If drivers are patient and use common sense, everyone will
get to where they are going more quickly.

Basic rights of way

6723

*,9(:$<

29
Turning right.
1. Well before you turn right, use your mirrors to check that the vehicles
behind you are at a safe distance
2. Give a right turn signal and start to slow down
3. Move to a position just left of the middle of the road
4. As soon as there is a safe gap in the oncoming traffic make the turn -
do not short-cut across the corner.

Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians - if there are

pedestrians crossing the road into which you are turning, you must stop
and let them cross.

Look out for other road users, especially motorcyclists, cyclists and
pedestrians, and let them know what you intend to do by signalling
clearly.

Allow long vehicles room to turn. They may have to use the whole
width of the road to make the turn.

30
Turning left.
1. Well before you turn left, use your mirrors to check that no-one is
coming up behind you on your left
2. Give a left turn signal and start to slow down
3. If the way is clear make the turn keeping close to the left-hand edge
of the road (drivers of long vehicles may have to move to the centre
of the road in order to make the turn). Watch out for cyclists and
motorcyclists who may have come up on your left-hand side – let
them overtake you and get clear before you make the turn. Watch out
for pedestrians - if there are pedestrians crossing the road into which
you are turning, you must stop and let them cross.

NEVER overtake a vehicle and then cut in front of it to turn left.

Turning into a dual carriageway road. When crossing or turning right

into a dual carriageway road, look to see whether the space between
the two carriageways (the median) is wide enough to protect the full
length of your vehicle. If it is, you should cross safely to the middle
and then wait there until there is a safe gap in the traffic on the second

31
carriageway. If the area in the middle is not wide enough, you must wait
until you can cross both carriageways in one go.

Turning right at a cross roads when an oncoming vehicle is also

turning right. The normal procedure is to turn right in front of the other
vehicle (see illustration below). The other vehicle may block your view of
oncoming traffic, so proceed cautiously and do not make the turn until
you are sure that the way is clear.

Obey the traffic light signals. You MUST stop behind the white “STOP”
line unless the signal is green. If the yellow light appears you may go on
only if you have crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to stop
might cause a crash. Approach the signals at a speed that will enable you
to stop quickly if the signal changes to yellow.

Only go forward when the signal is green if your exit is clear, or you are
taking up a position to turn right.

If the traffic lights are not working, and there is no police officer
controlling the traffic, you should go forward carefully, and give priority
to traffic coming from your right.

Drive defensively. For example, when waiting to turn into the main
road from a side road, make sure that the vehicle coming from the right
and signalling to turn left does start to turn before you proceed - in case
the other driver has no intention of turning left, but has forgotten to
cancel the turn signal after a previous turn.

32
Special advice for drivers at roundabouts
Well before you reach the roundabout reduce your speed, decide which
exit you need to take, check your mirror, and get into the correct lane
(see advice below). On reaching the roundabout give way to traffic
already in the roundabout. Watch out for cyclists and motorcyclists,
who can be difficult to see if there is a lot of traffic. Remember that there
might also be pedestrians crossing the road – from the left as well as the
right.

When turning left:

Signal left
Keep to the left lane
Give way to traffic on the roundabout
Keep to the left on the roundabout
Proceed to your exit, still signalling left

When going straight ahead:

Keep to the left lane (unless the left lane is marked for left-turning
vehicles only) - do not signal
Give way to traffic on the roundabout
Merge with traffic, staying in the left lane
Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want
Proceed to your exit, still signalling left

33
When turning right or turning full circle:
Signal right
Keep to the right-hand lane
Give way to traffic on the roundabout
Merge with the traffic, keeping to the right
Continue to signal right until you have passed the exit before the one
you want, then signal left
Proceed to your exit

NEVER stop or park within a roundabout. When in the roundabout do not

overtake a long vehicle – it might crush you against the centre island.

Driving at night or in bad weather

Drive at a speed which will allow you to stop within the distance
you can see to be clear. If you dip your headlights (i.e., point them
down), or are blinded by the headlights of oncoming vehicles you must
slow down - in the darkness ahead there may be a broken-down vehicle
or a cyclist.

You MUST use headlights at night (from half an hour before sunset to
sunrise) or during the day when visibility is seriously reduced by smoke,
mist, fog or heavy rain. As a general guide switch on your headlights
whenever you cannot see clearly for more than 100metres. Do not be
slow to switch them on - they make you much more visible to others.

Check your headlights are clean, working and properly adjusted.

The headlights must be correctly set so as to provide maximum
illumination without blinding other drivers - a qualified motor mechanic
can check this for you.

Use dipped headlights:

• when vehicles are coming towards you
• when driving behind, or overtaking, another vehicle
• when driving in towns with good street lighting.

34
Do not dazzle other road users. Do not switch on fog lights or other
lights unless it is very foggy or misty.

Reversing
You MUST NOT reverse more than is necessary.

Before reversing make sure that there are no pedestrians or objects

in the road behind you - remember that small children may be hidden
by the rear of the vehicle. Reverse with care and never for longer than
necessary. If you cannot see clearly, get someone to guide you. This
person can also warn other road users to keep clear. Use reversing lights
to attract attention during the day, and to see better at night.

Be particularly careful when you are reversing out of a building, a yard,

or a house plot – the walls or fences may hide pedestrians who are about
to walk across the opening. If possible, reverse in, so that you can drive
out forwards.

Never reverse from a minor side-road onto a main road. Never reverse
through a major junction. Never reverse over a pedestrian crossing, or a
rail crossing.

It is strongly recommended that all heavy goods vehicles and commercial

vehicles be fitted with buzzers that sound automatically when the vehicle
is reversing.

35
Parking
When you want to stop or park, remember mirrors - signal - action.
Move off the road where possible onto an area suitable for parking. If
you have to stop on the road, stop as close as you can to the left-hand
side. Always check whether it is safe to park and whether parking is
permitted. Before you or your passengers open a door, make sure it will
not hit anyone passing on the road or footpath - watch out for cyclists
and motorcyclists. Remember that it is safer to get out of the vehicle on
the left-hand side next to the kerb or road edge.

You MUST NOT park:

• carelessly or without reasonable consideration for others
• on or within 5 metres of a zebra crossing or other pedestrian crossing
• within 5 metres of a junction or rail crossing
• at a bus stop or 15 metres to each side of the sign “bus stop”
• on a footpath or paved footway
• in front of vehicle entrances to properties
• on a road marked with double white centrelines, even if one of the
lines is broken
• where there are parking restrictions shown by the No Parking sign
and/or yellow lines along the edge of the road.

Do not park at any other place where it would be dangerous or cause

problems for other road users, for example:

36
• near a school entrance
• near the top of a hill
• on a sharp bend
• alongside another parked vehicle (double parking)
• opposite a traffic island
• where your vehicle will obstruct a taxi stand
• where your vehicle will block the view of a traffic sign or traffic
signals.

When you are leaving the vehicle you MUST make sure it cannot move.
Never leave the vehicle while the engine is running. Switch off the engine
and the headlights, and make sure the handbrake (parking brake) is on.
Always lock your vehicle.

Do not park at night on busy roads or where there is fast-moving traffic.

If you cannot avoid doing this, switch your parking lights on. At night
only park on the left-hand side of the road.

Taking care with pedestrians and other vulnerable road

users
Watch out for pedestrians. Pedestrians don’t have much of a chance
when hit by vehicles. Many pedestrians, especially those in rural areas,
are unused to traffic and do not know how dangerous the road is. Drive
extra carefully and slow down to 30 km per hour or less when there are
pedestrians in the road, particularly in crowded town centres, markets
and near bus stops. Watch out for pedestrians stepping suddenly into the
road from behind a parked or stopped vehicle (a bus perhaps).

37
Be extra careful when children are around, and when driving near
schools. Don’t expect children to behave like grown-ups. Their eyesight
and hearing is more limited, and they cannot judge speeds very well.
They have difficulty concentrating, and when they get into danger they
may stand still in fright, instead of getting out of the way. Where there
are children around slow down and take extra care.

Be friendly to old people

and disabled persons when
they are having difficulty
crossing the road. Let them
cross if it is safe to do so.
Always slow down near schools
and hospitals.

If there are pedestrians

crossing the road into which
you are turning, you should
stop and let them cross in front of you.

Zebra crossings. When coming to a pedestrian crossing marked with

white stripes (a “zebra crossing”) be ready to slow down and stop to let
people cross. You MUST stop if anyone is on the crossing or about to
cross. You MUST NOT overtake any vehicle that has stopped to give way
to pedestrians. And you MUST NOT park your vehicle on a pedestrian
crossing - or within 5 metres of one.

38
Signal-controlled pedestrian crossings. Some pedestrian crossings
are controlled by traffic lights. Obey the traffic light signals. Pedestrians
may cross the road in front of you when your signal is at RED.

Watch out for motorcyclists and cyclists. Two-wheelers are more

difficult to spot than larger vehicles. Always look out for them when
entering and leaving junctions. Give motorcyclists and cyclists plenty of
space when overtaking them, especially if you are driving a long vehicle
or towing a trailer. Never overtake and turn close in front of them. Treat
carts and barrows with the same care.

Processions. You MUST NOT drive through a procession, a line of school

children, or a troop column.

Do not obstruct emergency vehicles or official motorcades. Drivers

of authorised emergency vehicles may disregard traffic rules in an
emergency provided they use a flashing beacon or warning siren, and do
not drive dangerously. Other drivers MUST move out of the way of the
emergency vehicle. You MUST NOT obstruct the progress of an official
motorcade. When you see one coming, move to the left edge of the road
and stop until it has passed. Obey the instructions of police officers and
persons in the escort vehicles.

Rail crossings
At rail crossings without barriers, signals or someone controlling traffic,
you should slow down before entering the crossing in order to check
whether trains are coming. Drivers of buses, and vehicles carrying
inflammable material, MUST stop and look before proceeding. Listen for
a train hooter. Never race against trains – they always have right of way.
Make sure it is safe before crossing, and be particularly careful where
there is more than one rail track.

Where the crossing is controlled by barriers, signals or an authorised

person, you MUST obey them. Never try to speed up and get through a
crossing while the barriers are coming down. Never set off until the light
signals go off and the barriers are fully open. Let pedestrians and cyclists
go first.

Never drive onto a rail crossing until the road is clear on the other side,
and do not get too close to the vehicle ahead. Never stop or park on, or
near, a crossing. If your vehicle breaks down on a crossing, get everyone

39
out of the vehicle immediately and away from danger. Inform the
crossing-keeper, if there is one, and follow his instructions. Otherwise,
phone the Police. If there is no train coming get help to push the vehicle
off the crossing. If you hear or see a train coming get clear of the
crossing immediately, and try and warn the train driver without putting
yourself in danger.

Don’t take risks at rail crossings. If you have a collision with a train you
are unlikely to survive.

40
Breakdowns

If your vehicle breaks down, or you have a puncture, try and move the
vehicle off the road. If this is not possible get the vehicle close to the
left-hand edge of the road and away from junctions, bridges and bends
and other dangerous places.

If you cannot avoid stopping on the road you MUST warn other traffic by
putting a red reflective warning triangle near the edge of the road not
less than 30m behind the vehicle - plus another warning triangle at the
same distance in front of the vehicle. You should also use your hazard
warning lights (double indicators – both flashing together). If you have
stopped on a bend or near the top of a hill get someone to walk back
along the road to warn the approaching traffic.

You MUST try and remove the vehicle

as soon as possible. A police officer has
the power to arrange for the removal of
any vehicle if he considers it a danger to
traffic. You will be made to pay the bill for
this.

Try not to stand or work on the vehicle

where you are at risk of being hit by
passing vehicles. While repairing the
vehicle never spill diesel or oil on the
road, as they can seriously damage the
surface.

Make every effort to get the vehicle

repaired or removed from the road before
dark. If you have to leave a broken-down
vehicle in the road at night, switch the
parking lights on and make sure there are
warning triangles on the road well before
the vehicle to warn other drivers. Inform
the Police.

Make sure that any stones you have used to chock the wheels are
removed from the road when you drive away.

41
If there is a crash

If you are involved in a crash, or stop to help:

• warn other vehicles by switching on your hazard warning lights

(double indicators) and, if necessary, wave to other drivers to slow
down - control the traffic so as to avoid another collision - ask other
drivers and local people to help with this
• ask drivers to switch off their engines and put out any cigarettes
• arrange for the Police to be called immediately - state the exact
location of the crash and the numbers of vehicles and injured persons
involved - ask several people to do this in order to make sure the
message gets through
• be prepared to give first aid - if the injuries are serious, and there is
little chance of getting help quickly, make arrangements to take the
injured to the nearest hospital
• respect the victim and their property – and encourage everyone else
to do the same
• do not take the law into your own hands – discourage mob justice.

When you see stopped vehicles ahead, slow down and be ready to stop.
If you think there are enough people helping already do not stop and
add to the blockage. When passing the crash do not get distracted –
concentrate on the road ahead. Obey the commands of police officers
who are at the scene, and be patient if there are long delays.

If you are involved in a road crash in which someone is injured you MUST
give your name and address (and the name and address of the vehicle
owner, if different) to any other person involved and you MUST report the
crash to the nearest police station or police officer as soon as possible
(and never later than 12 hours after the crash). The report will help the
Police, prosecutors, and insurance companies identify what happened
and whether anyone was at fault and is liable to pay compensation.

You MUST stop and assist persons injured in a road crash, unless you
fear for your own safety. If you are involved in a road crash in which no-
one is injured you need not inform the Police, but you MUST give your
name and address (and the name and address of the vehicle owner, if
different) and registration number of your vehicle to any other person
involved.

42
First Aid

Many road crash victims suffer unnecessarily, or even die, at the scene of
the crash through lack of adequate care. Someone with First Aid training
can often prevent a victim’s condition from worsening and may save their
life. The aims of First Aid are to:
1. Preserve life
2. Prevent a casualty’s injury or illness from getting any worse
3. Promote recovery
First Aid training is available in many centres and from organisations
such as the Red Cross, and it is well worth learning these skills. But
even if you have no First Aid training there are some simple
things you can do to help the injured, and these are described below
in order of priority.

1. Prevent further danger and make safe

First of all assess the danger to yourself, the victims and others. Make the
situation safe before approaching. You do not want to become a casualty
yourself. For instance, warn and control approaching vehicles to prevent
a second collision. Ask other people to help you with this. If there is a
danger of fire, make sure no-one smokes or uses lighters or matches.

2. Emergency treatment
The most important thing is to preserve life. Remember “Dr A.B.C.” This
stands for:
D = Danger Is there continuing danger to the injured? – Try to make
safe. Protect the casualty and keep curious onlookers away.
R = Response Is there any response from the casualty? – Shake the
casualty gently and talk to him. If
there is no response check the
airway (throat).
A = Airway Is the airway (throat) clear?
– Lay the casualty on his back, tilt the
head to one side, and open the mouth;
check that the tongue is not blocking the
throat, and use your fingers to scoop out
anything (food, dirt, artificial teeth, etc.)
in the mouth; then gently move the head
so that the chin is up and the mouth open
and check for breathing.

43
B = Breathing Is the casualty breathing?
– Check by putting your ear close to the
casualty’s mouth for at least 10 seconds to
hear and feel the breath. Look to see whether
the chest is rising and falling. If there is
no breath, then immediately give artificial
respiration by pinching closed the nostrils,
taking a deep breath, and breathing slowly
into the casualty’s mouth until you have
emptied all the air in your lungs into his. Do
this again. Check again for breathing. If there
is still no breath, check for circulation.
C = Circulation Is there a pulse? – Check
the pulse by placing two fingers at the neck
near the throat, and look at the casualty’s
colour and pupils of the eyes. If there is no
breath or circulation, call for emergency
assistance immediately before continuing.
Once help has been summoned, if you know
the technique, then apply CPR (Cardio-
Pulmonary Resuscitation) combining chest compressions with artificial
respirations until expert help arrives, or the casualty starts breathing.

If there is a pulse, but the casualty is still not breathing, continue with
artificial respiration (a breath every five seconds). Do not give up - it
may take some time for him to be able to breathe on his own.

Once the casualty is breathing and talking again, lie him on his back and
keep him warm. If he is breathing but does not answer questions, put
him in the recovery position (see Section 7).

3. Get help
Expert help must be summoned as quickly as possible, normally by
dialling 112. Try not to leave the casualty alone, so ask others to phone
or get help and to report back that they have done so. Many people
have mobile phones so there may be no need to leave the scene. It is
important to give the emergency services clear information on:
• What has happened
• The location of the crash – street name, known landmarks or places
• Site conditions and dangers

44
• Number of people injured and severity of injuries.
You should not end the call until you are told to do so – wait for the
emergency service to confirm the details.

If help is not quickly available you may have to transport the casualty
to a medical facility. Ask the advice of the Police or local people about
the best place to take the casualty. Small facilities like health posts and
clinics may be able to stabilise the condition of the seriously injured so
that they will survive a long trip to hospital. However some may not be
open 24 hours.

4. Moving casualties
Do not move any casualties unless absolutely necessary. Injured persons
still in vehicles should not be removed unless there is immediate danger
of fire, additional damage, or further collisions. Persons suffering obvious
bone fractures or possible internal or spinal injuries should not be moved
unless it is essential for their safety. If a casualty is unconscious but
is breathing and not obviously badly injured, put them in the recovery
position (see Section 7) to prevent breathing problems.

5. Bleeding and injury treatment

A person can bleed to death in five minutes,
so it is vital that you try and stop heavy loss of
blood. Reassure him, and, if possible, lie him
flat on the ground. Find out where the bleeding
is coming from. Then check for anything in the
wound and remove it if it is easy to do so*. Apply
firm pressure over the wound, preferably using a
sterile dressing from a First Aid kit or any other
clean padding - otherwise use your hands**. If
the bleeding does not reduce, press harder. You may be able to tie the
padding over the wound, but be careful that you do not cut off circulation
- release the pressure briefly every ten minutes. If there are no broken
bones, raise a bleeding limb as high as possible to reduce the blood flow.

* If there is an object stuck in the wound leave it there, and apply pressure
alongside the wound.
** When dealing with another person’s bleeding wounds it is recommended that
you protect yourself by putting your hands inside surgical gloves or clean
plastic bags.

45
If there are broken bones, fractures or dislocations it is important to
stabilise the limb and avoid movement so you don’t make the injury
worse. If there are burns, immediately cool the area with cold running
water and then cover with a clean dressing.

6. Treat victims for shock

It is also very important to recognise, prevent, and treat the symptoms
of shock, as these may cause even more serious deterioration than
the original injury. The signs are: a cold, pale, damp skin; fast or weak
pulse; rapid shallow breathing; feeling sick; yawning or sighing.

The causes of shock are many, including: injury; drop in blood pressure;
and reduction in the volume of any body fluid. As well as treating the
cause, it is vital not to leave the person alone, and to make them more
comfortable by:
1. lying the person down
2. loosening any tight clothing particularly round the chest and airways
3. keeping the person warm by covering with a blanket
4. talking to the person to keep them calm
5. raising the legs slightly to keep blood flowing to the head.
An accident casualty should never be given anything to eat or drink. If
they are thirsty, moisten their lips with water. Never give a casualty any
medicines or apply anything but clean water and dressings to wounds.

7. Put the casualty in the recovery position

This is a stable position with the casualty on their side, to prevent
choking on their tongue or vomit if unconscious. The head is slightly
tilted back, the lower arm is out at a right angle, the hand of the upper
arm is under the cheek, the lower leg stretched out, and the upper leg
bent in a right angle as shown in the illustration below.

46
Traffic signs
Traffic signs serve to warn, regulate, guide and inform road users.
They include road signs on upright poles, traffic light signals, and road
markings.

There are four groups of road signs:

Regulatory Signs telling drivers what they must do or must not do
Warning Signs warning drivers of dangers or difficulties on the road
ahead
Information Signs
Guidance Signs helping drivers to find the way to their destination

The signs in some groups have a &LUFXODUVLJQVJLYH

special shape and colour to help RUGHUV
drivers recognise them quickly.
Two very important signs, the
“Stop” and “Give Way” signs, 7ULDQJXODU
VLJQVZDUQ
have their own unique shapes.

6TXDUHRU
Where there is a need to qualify UHFWDQJXODUVLJQV
or expand the message on JUHHQVLJQV
the main sign the additional LQIRUPEOXHVLJQV
JLYHRUGHUV
information is contained on a
supplementary plate beneath the
main sign.

Traffic signals are used to control traffic and pedestrians at junctions and
crossings.

Road markings are subdivided into regulatory, warning and guidance
markings.

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