Road

Staying safe on the roads when driving, walking, cycling or horse riding

  • Never lean or wave out of open windows.
  • A forward facing child seat or booster seat must be used if it is available.
  • Only open doors if it is safe to do so - always check first.
  • When you get in or out of the car, use the door on the pavement side.
  • Only get out when you are sure it is safe to do so.

When you are cycling

  • Always wear a cycle helmet
  • Make sure your cycle is safe to ride - make sure your brakes, lights and tyres are in good working order. It is against the law to cycle at night without a working white front light, a working red back light and a red reflector at the back.
  • Wear bright or fluorescent clothes in the daytime and reflective clothes in the dark.
  • You must always obey traffic light signals and road signs, and the signals made by police officers, traffic wardens or school crossing patrols.
  • Be considerate to other road users.
  • Always keep both hands on the handlebars unless you are signalling or changing gears.
  • Do not wear a personal stereo or use a mobile phone while cycling.
  • Be careful when cycling near horses and other animals. Give them plenty of room as you go by and don't scare them by sounding your bell or horn.

When you are riding horses and ponies

  • Always wear an approved safety helmet and fasten it securely.
  • Wear appropriate clothing for the conditions.
  • Make sure other road users can see you wear bright or reflective clothing
  • Check that your horse or pony is properly shod and the saddle and bridle is correctly adjusted.
  • Make sure you can control your horse.
  • When you lead a horse, always keep yourself between it and the traffic.

When you are walking

  • When there is a pavement or footway, use it!
  • Where there is no pavement, walk on the right hand side of the road to face the traffic coming towards you.
  • Do not to cross between parked cars.
  • If you want to cross the road, find a place where you can see and be seen by motorists.
  • Use the Green Cross Code and only cross the road when it is safe to do so.

When you are crossing the road - use the GREEN CROSS CODE

Think First

  • Find the safest place to cross and then stop
  • Move away from parked cars
  • Give other road users the opportunity to see you

Then Stop

  • Stand on the pavement near the kerb.
  • Give yourself lots of time to have a good look all around for oncoming traffic from both directions

Then Look and Listen

  • Look all around for traffic and listen.
  • Look in every direction.
  • Listen carefully because you can sometimes hear traffic before you can see it.

Wait until it's safe to cross

  • If traffic is coming, wait and let it pass.
  • Do not cross unless there is a safe gap, you are sure there is plenty of time and it is safe to do so.

Keep Looking and Listening

  • When it is safe to do so, walk straight across the road.
  • Always walk - never run.
  • Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross.

When using crossings with traffic lights

  • Some crossings have a red and a green man.
  • Push the button and wait where you can see the signal and traffic.
  • When the red man is showing - you should not cross the road.
  • When the green man shows and traffic has stopped - you can cross.
  • Keep looking for traffic.
  • Be patient
  • Cross the road quickly but don't run
  • Some crossings have an island in the middle of the road. Treat each half of the crossing as a separate crossing; press the button and wait for the green man.

When crossing at a zebra crossing

  • If there is a zebra crossing - use it.
  • Wait on the pavement near the kerb until all the traffic has stopped before you start to cross.
  • When you are satisfied that the traffic has stopped in both directions and it is safe to do so, cross the road.
  • Stay on the crossing.
  • Keep looking all around and listening.

When using school crossing patrols

  • When school crossing patrols, police officers or traffic wardens are controlling the traffic, wait until they signal you to cross the road and always obey their instructions.

When using railway level crossings

  • You must never cross when red lights flash or when you can hear warning sounds.
  • Always stop behind the STOP line.
  • Never go past a barrier that is down - it means a train is coming.
  • If the lights continue to flash after a train has gone, another train is coming and it is not safe to cross until the lights stop flashing.
  • If there are no flashing red lights, warning sounds or gates, you should stop, look and listen to make sure it is safe before you cross.

Useful Information