Did you know that up to 38,000 people die each year from car accidents? Another 4.4 million were seriously injured as a result of the crash.
Although driving may seem like second nature to most individuals, it’s still imperative that you know the traffic laws. Understanding the various driving laws will protect you and other drivers on the road.
Don’t worry if you’re a new driver or need a quick refresher on the laws. We’ll break down some essential ones you’ll need to know. Continue reading to learn more.
General Driving Rules
Getting your license is one hurdle you’ll need to tackle before getting on the road. However, although you may have covered some aspects of driving rules, you may not be aware of others.
So, here are a few rules you should keep in mind while driving:
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Don’t cross a solid yellow line
- Always yield to pedestrians
- Pullover to the side if an emergency vehicle is behind you
A few of these rules may seem like common sense, but they are easy to forget. Driving is a complex task and needs your full attention, so slipping up on one of the laws may be costly.
Road Signs
On top of knowing some general traffic laws, it’s also important to know the meaning behind the road signs you’ll see every day. Failure to comply with the signs may get you a citation from a police officer. Let’s take a look at some common road signs.
Stop Sign
The stop sign is a common sign worldwide. It’s shaped like a red octagon with the words “STOP” placed in the middle.
When you see this sign at an intersection, you must come to a complete stop. Some intersections may have two stop signs, allowing oncoming traffic to continue.
However, other intersections have four stop signs. In that case, the right of way is given to the person that arrived first.
One-Way
The one-way sign is a thin white horizontal rectangle with a black arrow pointing in a specific direction. It lets drivers know that traffic on that street only goes one way.
No Parking/Parking
Finding parking can be an arduous task, especially when you live in an inner-city. Not only are spots very limited, but you’ll often come across parking signs.
It’s essential to read these signs because they let you know when you’re legally allowed to park in an area. For example, a sign may say, “Parking not allowed Mon-Sun from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.”
That means you should avoid parking there during those times to avoid getting a ticket, clamped, or your car towed.
Now You Have a Clearer Understanding of Traffic Laws
Driving requires so much attention that it can be challenging to remember all traffic laws. However, with our quick refresher guide, you’ll have no problem hitting the roads and enjoying a safer driving experience.
To learn more about road laws and other driving safety tips, feel free to check out our other blogs.
