Importance Of Obeying Traffic Laws - Learn With G1 Test Practice

More than 1630 people lost their life in Canada in the year 2019 alone due to vehicle collisions. There were approx. 8900 serious injuries due to vehicle collisions in the same year in the country. The World Health Organization reveals that more than 1.3 million people lose their lives every year due to vehicle/traffic collisions on the road. Half of these people are cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcycles who are more vulnerable to serious injuries and fatalities in a vehicle collision.

Traffic laws not only protect you but also other people (including those who are more vulnerable to facing grave consequences) in an on-road collision. You can prevent minor and major crashes on the road by knowing and following the traffic laws and the rules of driving, practicing the appropriate driving skills, and taking care of your vehicle and the things around you when you are using the road. Most road injuries can be prevented by following traffic laws, signs, and rules.

Governments worldwide strive to take appropriate action for addressing road safety. Apart from the police and the regulatory bodies, the involvement of other sectors including education, health, and transport can also address the safety concerns of the vehicles on roads and the road users. Below are some important points that will help you know why traffic laws are so important.

Reduce and Prevent Injuries and Accidents

The first purpose of traffic rules and traffic laws is to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of those using the roads. Road users and vehicle drivers are at risk on the road due to many kinds of dangers and obstacles. Traffic-related safety signs can mitigate many traffic risks and prevent accidents. For instance, the “give way” signs, “stop” signs, as well as the “limit” signs can control the traffic flow and help you avoid accidents.

Communication and Consistency

Many traffic laws and signs are the same across the world. For instance, the “stop” signs are “red” color while the “go” signs or of “green” color everywhere. The easy communication and consistency of traffic rules in multiple states of a country or distinct parts of the world ensure that drivers everywhere can decipher the same meaning of the signals. Traffic laws and traffic rules and signals prevent confusion on the road, thereby preventing accidents. The traffic laws help users know the right action they should take in a particular circumstance while driving on road or using it.

Providing Directions

Traffic rules and signs can provide you with the right directions to help reach your destination safely and conveniently. The directional signs, milestones, and street signs help you find your way easily. These signs are placed on the roads in an appropriate way and in locations so that you can have a look at them and keep on driving your vehicles safely all at the same time. Therefore, traffic laws and rules can reduce the stress that drivers may face.

Knowing the “Not-So-Obvious” or “Unknown” Obstacles

The traffic signs can help drivers know more about even the unknown obstacles that may lie further ahead on the road. Sometimes there may be blind spots on the road. At other times, the obstacle may not be visible in a plain and normal view. The traffic signs help drivers adjust their driving and safely cross obstacles. For instance, a traffic sign may reveal to you that there is a “U/Dangerous Turn” or a “narrow road stretch” ahead so that you can reduce your speed at an appropriate time and prevent an accident and injury.

Managing Traffic Flow

With thousands and thousands of vehicles being added to roads every year, it is important to manage the traffic flow to reduce accidents and injuries and to ensure that everybody can reach their destination comfortably in the least time. Traffic laws, traffic rules, and on-road signages and traffic lights can manage heavy traffic.

Safety of the More Vulnerable

Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles may be more vulnerable on the road when compared to those who are driving a four-wheeler. The traffic laws and signs, including Zebra/pedestrian crossing and the traffic lights, can ensure the safety of those who are using the road on foot or who are trying to cross a road and want to reach the other side of it.

Help you Prevent Penalty/Fines

Traffic laws are mandatory for everybody and should always be followed when you are using a road. If you are caught violating traffic laws and rules, you may face a penalty and pay a fine for traffic violations. The traffic laws ensure that everybody learns how to use a road most safely.

The Important Rules of Road Safety

Below are some general yet important rules of road safety that you should follow to prevent accidents and injuries.

• Keep your vehicle serviced regularly and well-maintained so that it never undergoes a sudden breakdown. Sudden vehicle breakdowns may cause accidents.
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• Keep your vehicle on the right side of the road in the appropriate lane (depending on the speed limit). You should always allow the people on the other end of the road to cross it safely. Permit the automobile on the back of your vehicle to go further and beyond when you get the opportunity.
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• When you are entering a new road, follow the road signs, and keep your vehicle on the same side.
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• Always reduce the vehicle speed when you reach a turning point. Also reduce the vehicle speed at road endings, blockages, crossovers, zebra crossings, during overtakes, and in other similar instances.
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• Never forget to use your helmet as it can help you prevent serious injuries to the head and other injuries.
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• Do not illegally park your vehicle. Apart from causing fines, illegal parking of a vehicle may also cause accidents. Do not park a vehicle on the main road, close to the pedestrian passage, in overcrowded areas, or in a way that may interfere with the passing of vehicles. Vehicles should also not be parked close to a traffic light or at the doorstep of an organization.
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• Avoid excessive use of horns as they can cause noise pollution. The horns of your vehicle are only to be used when needed and during essential circumstances.
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• During driving do not get too close to the vehicle in front of you. Surveys reveal that many accidents occur when there is extraordinarily little distance between two vehicles. For instance, if the vehicle in front of you may apply brakes and stop suddenly, it may cause an accident. Appropriate distance should also be maintained with the vehicles on the sides or the back.
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• Try avoiding applying the brakes instantaneously and suddenly. While sometimes you must apply the brakes suddenly, try to use them gradually when you can. It will prevent an abrupt stop and injury. Other vehicles will also get enough time to respond appropriately when you apply the brakes gradually.
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• Always follow the traffic signals, traffic rules, and directions given by traffic police. It can help you prevent accidents and keep the road safe for all users.
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• Always take a U-turn after looking at the traffic behind you. Give appropriate signals before you take a U-turn so that the other users can understand your move. Do not take a U-turn when it is prohibited.

Conclusion

Traffic laws, rules, and signs are important for the road safety of everybody on the road. Always follow them to avoid accidents, ensure the safety of everybody on the road (including the more vulnerable), avoid fines and penalties, and reach your destination safely and conveniently. You can also find these rules in our G1 test practice quiz provided in our G1 practice test section.