What can you do to stay safe?
Do you know all the South African road signs and rules? Do you know when, where and how they are used? Why is it important to wear protective and reflective gear if you’re a cyclist? And what are some of the positive safety habits that should be enforced while you’re travelling?
These are important questions because, whether you’re in a car or walking next to the road, you will always face hazards. A hazard is any object or situation that could be dangerous to you or others.
Hazards are everywhere! They’re at intersections and bends in the road and pedestrian crossings. The movement and position of any other road user could also become hazard. Even a change in the weather could be risky for road users!
You should always:
- Identify potential hazards that could affect you
- Predict how the hazard might develop and endanger your safety
- Think about what action you would take to deal with the hazard
- Be prepared to act on your decision and reduce the risk that the hazard presents
For example, if you’re playing with a ball, make sure you are as far from the road as possible. If the ball accidently rolls into the road you need to be very careful! Never chase after the ball. First check right, then left, then right again. It’s only when you’re absolutely sure that there are no cars which could present a risk that you are allowed to walk (not run) into the road to retrieve the ball. If you’re unsure whether a situation is safe, always ask a trustworthy adult for help.
