Accident prevention and road
safety: The high way code
BY
Dr SA Balogun

Introduction
• Road traffic accident is unarguably one of the
‘titanic’ tragedies confronting man
• The magnitude and trend worldwide is
heartbreaking.
• Unfortunately the rising tide of this global
problem has continued to outstrip all efforts to
curtail it.
• Such major efforts in major parts of the world
especially in developing Nations are either half
hearted or half-baked.

Introduction (cont)
• Road safety at first seems relatively unimportant
in the sixties in Nigeria and most developing
countries when compared to hunger, educational,
financial, and economic resource problems
• In fact, public ignorance of the causes of road
traffic accident was palpable, as people
continually attributed cases of road carnage to
either the will of God or evil spirit, while ignoring
the scientific angle to the menace thus creating a
high level of apathy among the people.

Introduction (cont)
• The RTA account for between 1-2% of GNP
which is over $500 billon yearly
• Analysis of causes of death in a number of
countries throughout the developing
countries has shown that deaths and fatalities
from road traffic accident in Nigeria rank
among the highest in the world and second
behind those by hunger and gastroenteritis

Introduction (cont)
• BUT The above need not happen as many of the
risks involved were entirely within human
control.
• It is possible to reduce the risk of death and
injury if a systematic approach is promoted to
understanding how people, vehicle and the
environment interrelate
• A broad approach was also required,
encompassing such areas as emergency health
services, education for prevention, legislation and
law

Techniques for accident prevention
• DO NOT overtake on a bend. Do not
overtake on the right except where the
road-signs permit, or the vehicle in front
of you clearly trafficate to the left.
• DO NOT overtake at road junctions. DO
NOT overtake on the brow of a hill, or
close to the brow of a hill.
• DO NOT overtake at T-junctions. DO
NOT overtake in any way that endangers
traffic on the road.
• When in doubt, DO NOT overtake
• NOTE: Nothing in the Highway Code
compels you to overtake DANGEROUSLY.
• A helpful driver waving you on, or a
broken line of the road DOES NOT FORCE
you to overtake when it is UNSAFE to do
so. USE YOUR OWN EYES!

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• DO NOT MAKE U-TURNS near the crest of a hill,
on a sharp bend, in face of on-coming traffic or in
front of traffic close behind you.
• DO NOT MAKE U-TURNS where a road-sign
forbids you to do so.
• DO NOT MAKE U-TURNS in heavy traffic. DO NOT
MAKE U-TURNS where doing so will constitute a
danger to other road-users.
• Look for a side road. Back into it, then await a
safe moment to turn into the side way, facing the
desired direction

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• A HEAVY VEHICLES to take note: As soon as
you begin to lose speed going uphill, pull over
to the right as far as the road safely permits.
• Traffic hold-ups which can be avoided are
enemies of safety on the highway. Avoid selfish
driving.
• Do not wait to be arrested. PULL OVER TO
YOUR EXTREME RIGHT when going UPHILL
• Even where the road is flat, all SLOW VEHICLES
must give way to allow faster vehicles to
overtake.

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
At the first available clear stretch, pull over to your
right AS FAR AS THE ROAD ALLOWS, and proceed
normally.
It is COMPULSORY that you give way as soon as
there is a build-up of FOUR vehicles behind you.
Always glance in your driving mirror. Use your
trafficator to signal your intentions.
If you see an obstacle ahead while on the shoulder
of the road, slow down to a COMPLETE STOP if
there are still faster vehicles overtaking you.
Do not pull back suddenly into the road. STOP
COMPLETELY. Regain your lane only when all
faster traffic have passed

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• LONG or SLOW vehicles must NOT drive head
to tail. except when overtaking, keep at least a
distance of twice the length of your own
vehicle between you and the vehicle in front.
• Attempt to overtake only when it is
ABSOLUTELY clear that the vehicle in front is
travelling MUCH SLOWER than yours.
• Wait for faster vehicles to overtake YOU
before you yourself attempt to overtake

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• Keep BOTH hands on the controls.
Driving with one arm dangling out of the
car window indicates that you are driving
your vehicle without proper control, and
will be promptly penalized.
• Disengage your hand only to execute
signals and return it promptly to the
vehicle controls.

Techniques for accident prevention(cont)
• The Highway Code indicates very clearly the correct
signals for a driver intending to stop, turn right or
left, or to go straight ahead.
• The HAZARD lights are for use ONLY in times of
unavoidable danger to other road-users, such as
breakdowns leading to traffic obstruction, failure of
brakes, loss of control, etc.
• Hazard lights are a WARNING SIGN to other road-
users.
• They are not a substitute for correct signal, or
careful and correct driving, and must NOT be treated
as such.
• Hazard lights are NOT for signaling that you wish to
go straight ahead

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• DO NOT switch off your ignition while
driving in order to conserve fuel.
• Free-wheeling reduces control over a
vehicle and is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
• DO NOT attempt to save fuel at the
expense of human lives.
• The severest penalty will be meted out to
this irresponsible conduct

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• COURTEOUS INTENT is not a substitute for safe
and careful driving.
• If you wish to grant another driver right of way
when your lane has priority, first look in your
mirror to ensure that it is safe to do so.
• DO NOT BRAKE SUDDENLY
• On the other hand, DO NOT FORCE YOUR WAY
into an oncoming lane when your lane is
obstructed.
• STOP! Do not force your way into a major road if
others do not give you right of way. WAIT!

Techniques for accident prevention(cont)
• DL plates must be clearly displayed on all
unregistered vehicles.
• The number must be as clear as the normal
registration plates.
• Where the dealer, for security reasons, has
retained the license of the driver, he must
provide him with a signed document to the
effect.
• Such a document must bear the driver’s name,
address, license number, date and place of issue,
and PHOTOGRAPH.
• Failure to comply with these requirements will
result in the detention of the vehicle

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• Speeding over the limits prescribed in built-up
areas or through a road construction stretch
will be rigorously punished. Where in doubt,
slow down to a CRAWL

Techniques for accident prevention(cont)
• Do not attempt to drive at night without
functioning rear and front lights on both sides of
the vehicles.
• A one-eyed motor-car is a half-blind killer; at
night it looks like a motor-cycle.
• It is more comfortable to park your vehicle off
the road and sleep inside it than to pass the night
in Police/FRSC cell- Or on the operating table
• Do not commence a journey unless your vehicle
has been thoroughly checked- LIGHTS, BRAKE
FLUID, WATER, BATTERY LEVEL,ENGLISH OIL, TYRE
PRESSURE- and a functioning DIP SWITCH
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto
you-DIP YOUR LIGHTS!

Techniques for accident prevention(cont)
• It is an offence to fail to surrender your driving
license or vehicle papers ON DEMAND to a
uniformed or Special Marshal.
• You are advised to note that the Marshals regard
prostration or kneeling as attempt to corrupt.
• All that is required is that you carry out the
Marshal’s instructions PROMPTLY
• Beware of FAKE ‘MARSHALS’.
• When In doubt ask for his ID card.
• Attempted BRIBERY is an additional offence. DO
NOT TRY IT!!!

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• We all know the ROAD BULLY. Not only does
he force his will on an oncoming vehicle that
has priority, he announces his CRIMINAL
INTENT by FLASHING his headlamps and
blasting away with his horn.
• Such conduct constitute a grave affront to law-
abiding road users and will be heavily stamped
upon.

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• PATERNTS who permit their children to drive
without a driving license are CRIMINAL SHOW-
OFFS. They will be prosecuted together with
their SPOILT BRATS.
• These include STUDENTS on CAMPUSES

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• At ACCIDENT SCENES (may they forever diminish): DO NOT
OBSTRUCT at the scene of an ACCIDENT.
• DO NOT SLOW DOWN in order to stare. An
accident is NOT A SHOW.
• If you wish to help, drive on PART where your
vehicle will not be an ADDITIONAL HAZARD.
• GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS unless you can
contribute GENUINE ASSISTANCE.
• On the other hand, DO NOT FORCE YOUR WAY
THROUGH where an accident has held up traffic.
• BE ORDERED AND TAKE YOUR TURN.
• DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO A DISASTER

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• FAST CARS TO NOTE: when a vehicle has
clearly begun to overtake another before you,
DO NOT FLASH YOUR LIGHT OR BLAST YOUR
HORN to show your impatience.
• Wait for the car in front of you to complete
overtaking and return into the slow lane.
• IMPATIENCE can produce ANXIETY or even
PANIC in others, which in turn leads to
accidents.
• Do not TERRORISE with FLASHING
HEADLIAMPS.

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• EXPRESSWAYS provide a minimum of two
lanes facing in each direction.
• Stay on the RIGHT LANE except when
overtaking. That is the LAW.
• Where the right lane is blocked by a vehicle
breakdown or a bad road surface, you may
turn into the FAST (i.e left) lane.
• Return to the RIGHT LANE as soon as the
obstacle has been passed
• DO NOT HOG THE FAST LANE

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• When driving, KEEP YOUR EYES on the road.
AT ALL TIMES.
• DO NOT turn your head to converse with
passengers seated BESIDE or BEHIND you.
• If you cannot converse without TURNING to
look at other occupants of the vehicle, then BE
A MERE LISTENER.
• And even while listening, remember-E-EYES
FRONT!!!

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• POWERFUL MOTORCYCLES often prove DEATH
MACHINES.
• DO not SHOW OFF on a machine you cannot
control.
• MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS are bound by ALL
TRAFFIC LAWS whether on the Public
Highways or campuses of Higher Institutions.
• Offending MINORS will have their vehicles
CONFISTICATED indefinitely.

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)
• When you have to park on a HIGHWAY, look for a
spot that will NOT ENDANGER other traffic.
• The law compels you to carry WARNING
TRIANGLES. Use them.
• Pull over far to the right of the kerb of the road as
far as possible.
• DO NOT PARK on the BROW of a HILL or in a
BLIND CORNER.
• The moment you suspect a malfunction in your
vehicle, start looking for a SAFE SPOT to stop.
• DO NOT wait to be trapped in the DEAD CENTRE
of your lane.

Techniques for accident
prevention(cont)

• Drugs and Driving
• Under laws that came into effect on
December 1, 2004, Victoria Police have the
power to conduct random roadside saliva
testing to detect drivers travelling while
affected by illicit drugs.
• Drug driving is a major contributor to road
fatalities in Victoria . In 2003, a total of 31
per cent of drivers killed in Victoria tested
positive to drugs other than alcohol. Many
drivers appear unaware of the effects that
drugs can have on their alertness, vigilance
and ability to react rapidly to unexpected
events. Some drugs can also increase the
impairing effects of alcohol and fatigue.
• The random roadside saliva testing is aimed
at making Victoria ’s roads safer for
everyone by reducing the incidence of drug
driving.
• For further information about random
roadside saliva testing for illicit drugs call
1300 369 819.