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www.thevillagenews.co.za
7 October 2020
How to correctly navigate a traffic circle F
or the majority of drivers, one of the most confusing driving laws is the correct use of a traffic circle. In fact, many motorists do not know that there is a difference between the larger traffic circles and the mini traffic circles, other than their size. Can you really be frustrated if someone cuts you off at a traffic circle if you don't know the rules? Let's have a closer look. What is the difference between the two circles? A traffic circle is classified as large when it has a minimum diameter of about 16m and a 1.5m to 2m flattened curb which allows heavy vehicles to drive onto a small section of the circle. A mini traffic circle is normally not more than 7m to 10m in diameter and the entire circle is mountable for heavy vehicles. Are there differing rules for each? Yes. The rule of thumb is that mini traffic circles, which are usually found in residential areas, have the same rules as a four-way stop - first come first served. For larger traffic circles, which are usually found at busy crossings to assist with the flow of traffic, you must give way to the right. Rules to remember at a large traffic circle: 1. Slow down as you arrive at a large traffic circle and indicate your direction. Traffic coming from your right in the circle has right of way, regardless of how many cars there are. 2. Wait until there is a safe gap in the flow of cars and then ease slowly into
the traffic circle. 3. Watch out for other traffic in the circle and be aware that they may not be using their indicators correctly/at all. Stay in your lane.
Give way to pedestrians at a crossing
4. Keep a look out for and give way to pedestrians at crossings. 5. Use your indicators: • Signal when you are going to turn switch your indicator on immediately after passing the exit prior to the one you intend taking. • If you are taking the first exit (i.e. you're turning left), then flick on your left indicator and keep in the outside/ left-hand lane. • Keeping in the outside/left-hand lane also works well if you're continuing straight ahead as your exit is very close. After you've passed the left turn exit and yours is next, signal left and you're free. • If you're turning right or performing a U-turn, keep in the inside/ right-hand lane. Only signal left and change into the left-hand lane once you've passed the other exits and only yours is ahead.
Stay in your lane - do not overtake Stay right if going straight or turning right
Correctly navigating a traf c circle If exit is missed, going around again is allowed Stay left when turning left, or if going straight
Rules to remember at a mini traffic circle: 1. Slow down when approaching the circle. The first vehicle to cross the line has right of way, so it works on the same principle as a four-way stop or yield sign.
Yield when approaching, then indicate your direction. Car to your right has right of way.
2. Proceed in a clockwise direction around the circle. Sources: iol.co.za; businesstech.co.za
How to correctly navigate a traffic circle
Pedestrian safety and responsibility Source: www.arrivealive.co.za Part 1: Pavements 1. The law states that where there is a pavement, no pedestrian should walk in the roadway. Pedestrians are advised to make use pavements where available. 2. Where there is no pavement, walk as far to the right-hand side of the road as possible, facing oncoming traffic. That way you cannot be surprised by a car and have enough time to step even further away from the road. 3. When you use the pavement, remember to share the space with others. If other pedestrians have to step around you and into the street you could cause them to be involved in an accident. Part 2: Street Crossing Many pedestrians are killed or injured by crossing the road carelessly. There is one simple rule: stop and look before you cross. 1. Look right, left and right again for any oncoming traffic. Cross only when the road is clear, looking in both directions and listening for oncoming traffic. When you cross, walk briskly but don't run. 2. When crossing the street at a bus/ taxi stop, make sure that the section
of road you choose to cross at is clear of packed or stationary vehicles. Drivers will not be able to see you in time to stop. Controlled crossings are still the safest places to cross the street. 3. When crossing at an intersection (like at the traffic lights) be sure to: • Keep between the solid white lines and watch for moving vehicles • Cross briskly, but do not run • Beware of drivers and cross only when the pedestrian light is green • If the pedestrian light turns red while you are in the middle of the road continue crossing, but do not cross if you are still on the pavement 4. Where there is no special place to cross, such as in rural areas, look for a straight stretch of road away from sharp bends or anything that blocks your view such as bushes, hills, slopes or rises. When you cross, you must be able to see clearly in both directions. Do not cross the road diagonally. 5. "See and Be Seen" is always the rule for crossing the street. Make sure that drivers see you first and then take all the usual precautions before crossing the road. 6. Vehicles suddenly coming out of concealed driveways are always a danger. Be aware of what is happening around you. 7. You are always safer at a marked
Pedestrian road safety education
pedestrian crossing, but even then, do not expect drivers to stop for you. They may not notice you or may not be watching properly. Make sure the traffic has stopped before you start crossing (once again, don't run). Part 3: Visibility 1. If you are out at night, wear white or light coloured clothing. In areas where there are no street lights, motorists cannot see you. You can also make yourself more visible to traffic by carrying a white object in your hand. 2. Where there is no pavement, walk as far as possible to the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic. Part 4: Alcohol and Drugs Alcohol affects every part of the brain, as do most drugs. What you see and what you think you see become totally different things. Even ordinary movements, like getting up and walking, become difficult and hazardous. You are not in control of what you do - or of what is happening around you. 1. If you have been drinking or taking drugs or medication, do not drive or walk on the road. Stay over where you are or get a lift home with someone sober. Alcohol has a negative effect on your coordination, hearing, sight and ability to judge speed and distance of oncoming vehicles.
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t is the responsibility of both motorists and pedestrians to be aware of one another on the roads to ensure that no one gets seriously hurt. We all know the rules for motorists, but do you know the rules for pedestrians? The following two exerpts are from a document on road safety education compiled by the Department of Transport (which can be found at www.arrivealive.co.za): Duties of pedestrians • Whenever a sidewalk or footpath abuts on the roadway of a public road, a pedestrian shall not walk on such roadway except for the purpose of crossing from one side of such roadway to the other or for some other sufficient reason.
• No pedestrian on a public road shall conduct himself or herself in such a manner as to or as is likely to constitute a source of danger to himself or herself or to other traffic which is or may be on such road. • A pedestrian may cross a public road only at a pedestrian crossing or an intersection or at a distance further than 50 metres from such pedestrian crossing or intersection. Pedestrian's right of way in pedestrian crossing • Where a pedestrian crossing is situated in conjunction with a traffic signal, a pedestrian shall not enter such crossing except in accordance with the indications of such traffic signal.
• A pedestrian on a public road which has no sidewalk or footpath abutting on the roadway, shall walk as near as is practicable to the edge of the roadway on his or her right-hand side so as to face oncoming traffic on such roadway, except where the presence of pedestrians on the roadway is prohibited by a prescribed road traffic sign.
• The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a pedestrian crossing when the pedestrian is upon that half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is travelling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
• No pedestrian shall cross a public road without satisfying himself or herself that the roadway is sufficiently free from oncoming traffic to permit him or her to cross the road in safety.
• No pedestrian shall suddenly enter a pedestrian crossing and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
• A pedestrian, when crossing a public road by means of a pedestrian crossing or in any other manner, shall not linger on such road but shall proceed with due despatch.
• Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a pedestrian crossing to permit pedestrians to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not pass such stopped vehicle.
