The traffic rules or traffic laws They are the set of provisions, protocols and signals that govern the interaction between vehicles and passers-by (pedestrians) in accordance with the provisions of the particular legislation of each country. For instance: respect the traffic light, wear a seat belt, do not go the wrong way.
Like so many others, these standards tend to universalization, but they can differ substantially from one particular case to another: for example, in Anglo-Saxon countries, driving is on the left side of the road instead of the right.
Comply with traffic regulations is mandatory for any driver or any passer-by who lives in the country, since they have the force of law. Ultimately, not only the fluidity and harmony of urban traffic, which can sometimes become overwhelming, depends on their respect, but also the preservation of lives and material assets.
The road police is the security body in charge of ensuring compliance.
Road signs
Traffic signs are the set of signs or advertisements that make up a more or less universal language to inform both drivers and pedestrians regarding regulations, conditions and limitations that they will find regarding the road. They are usually found in visible places on the road and are painted or drawn in specific colors according to their content.
There are three types of traffic signs:
- Preventive. They warn whoever comes about future road conditions, so that they can take their precautions. For example, the narrow bridge nuncio on a highway.
- Regulatory. They impose specific limits or prohibitions on drivers or pedestrians. For example, a maximum speed ad.
- Informative. They warn about services, events or facilities that may be of interest. For example, a gas station advertisement in the middle of a long road.
Examples of traffic regulations
- Driving on the same side of the road. In Anglo-Saxon countries it is the left, in the rest of the world it is the right: all drivers are supposed to stick to this side of two-way roads, to avoid hitting someone coming from the opposite direction. This same principle governs, although not so strictly (since a push is not the same as a collision) to pedestrian traffic in enclosed spaces.
- Respect the traffic signals. Whatever type they are, but above all the regulations, they must be observed and taken into consideration. If the maximum speed is 90 kmph, no driver would have to exceed it. That is what the road police are for, to exercise the pertinent sanctions.
- Have the documents in order. The driver’s license, the medical permit or whatever the bureaucratic and probative precautions that the law requires of each driver, must be taken care of and be up to date on their expiration, since they are the guarantor of the true driving abilities of an individual. Driving without them can be a source of serious penalties.
- Respect the semaphore. As we all know, these devices are used to organize road shifts and prevent everyone from circulating at the same time. The three different lights order both drivers and pedestrians to stop (red), slow down (yellow) or move forward (green).
- Do not drive while intoxicated. Because alcohol and other illegal drugs interfere with the body’s ability to perceive and respond, they are often the source of often fatal car accidents. For this reason, driving a car under the influence of these substances is prohibited.
- Use seat belts. This measure is often debated, since many times the belt can become an impediment when, for example, fleeing from a burning vehicle. But the truth is that there are many more tragic accidents that its use has prevented than those it has caused, so its use is recommended at all times inside the car.
- Yield to the authorities. Firefighters, police, ambulances or political caravans usually have the priority in the passage, due to the possible emergencies that they must attend to. For this reason, it is mandatory to give them the place, so that they can quickly fulfill their mission.
- Cross the pedestrian line. This measure applies exclusively to pedestrians, who must avoid crossing the streets in an untimely and unpredictable manner, and do so only on the lines that specify the pedestrian crossing areas for drivers.
- Do not park anywhere. Numerous signs delimit the areas in which it is possible to park and those in which it is not possible, since it would obstruct the flow of vehicles or put one’s own health or that of third parties at risk. No parking spaces usually have an identifying sign or even the curb (curb) of the sidewalk or sidewalk colored red.
- Don’t text while driving. The neglect of the use of Smartphones has become a major cause of death and material damage in industrialized nations, which has promoted the prohibition of cell phone use while driving, unless a hands-free device is used to power listen and speak while keeping both hands on the wheel of the car and keeping your attention around.
- Abide by authority. Both pedestrians and drivers must abide by the directions of the road police, since these officials are in charge of the general coordination of traffic. A call to stop, pass or any specific requirement must be addressed promptly and respectfully.
- Do not go against the hand. In cases where it is possible to enter the channel for vehicles going in the opposite direction, special precaution should be taken not to do so, since it would lead to a head-on collision with those coming in the opposite direction.
- Do not zigzag. A dangerous practice to pass vehicles is the zig-zag, that is, the constant and vertiginous change from one channel to another to take advantage of empty spaces. This practice is completely irresponsible since the rest of the drivers cannot always guess the future movement and thus accidents occur.
- Dispose of minors. Minors would have to be in the back seat of the vehicle, if any. In fact, there are special chairs to fix babies to the seat and thus keep them protected in the event of a collision.
- Stay within speed limits. Although they can be diffuse in some places, there is always an official limit on the maximum speed at which a vehicle can be circulated. These limits must be respected and are often the cause of violations and fines for drivers.
- Do not carry excess passengers. A compact car can carry about five (5) people comfortably and maybe six or seven one on top of the other. If these limits are respected, the safety of the passengers will be ensured, who would suffer the consequences of an accident much worse than the driver.
- Do not make forbidden turns. Turns in a “U” or that violate the traffic order in both directions are prohibited, and are delimited by a white line in the middle of the two channels: if it is continuous, it should not be crossed in any case.
- Ensuring the good condition of the vehicle. Broken or useless headlights, absence of bumpers or spare wheels, are violations of the minimum precautionary measure for a vehicle to circulate correctly. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure compliance with these requirements.
- Yield to the pedestrian. In almost all possible situations, pedestrians always enjoy the priority of the way, since they are much more vulnerable. In any possible situation, the safety of passersby must be imperative for all.
- Use the beacons. This is the name of the flashing lights that alert oncoming drivers to an irregular situation: the need to stop suddenly, objects on the road, reduced visibility, etc.