Safety Tips for Road Users

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

Pedestrians account for a great percentage of deaths and serious injuries on Kenyan roads.
As a pedestrian, your chances of survival if hit by a motor vehicle are minimal due to the fact that you have no protection. It is therefore vital that you pay special attention to your own safety. Here are some basic tips to observe.

Stop, Look, Listen, Think,

Use your eyes, ears, judgment and common sense for your own safety on the road.

• STOP one step back from the side or shoulder of the road if there is no footpath.
• LOOK to the Right, Left, and then Right again before you attempt to cross the road.
• LISTEN in all directions for approaching traffic.
• THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road – when the road is clear or all traffic has stopped.
• When crossing, walk straight across the road. Continue LOOKING and LISTENING for traffic while crossing.  
• See and be seen
  Most pedestrians are hit by vehicles because the driver does not see them until it is too late:

• When you are crossing a road, never assume a driver has seen you just because you have seen them.
• Avoid crossing roads near the crest of a hill or a bend, because it is harder for drivers to see you in these places.
• Cross at points where you can comfortably see and be seen from either direction
• Wear light-colored clothing and/or a reflector; especially at night.
• Cross at safe places
  Make sure you cross the road at safe places:

• Whenever possible, cross the road at a pedestrian crossing, traffic light or pedestrian refuge.
• Cross at a point where you have a clear view of approaching traffic, and the drivers can see you.
• If you cannot cross the whole road in one attempt, wait on the pedestrian refuge or median strip.
  

Even at crossings you still need to remain alert and check whether vehicles are stopping for you;

• Always make sure traffic has actually stopped before you step onto the road.
• Remember school crossings are legally active when a crossing attendant is on duty and when the flags are displayed to signal it is safe to cross.
• When crossing at a railway level crossing, wait for the lights to stop and the barriers to be raised.

If you have been drinking or you plan to drink, take extra care or, better still, stay off the roads entirely.
 
Safety Tips for Cyclists

A large number of cyclists are seriously injured on our roads each year. With the advent of the ‘Boda boda’ taxis the matter has become an issue of major concern.  It is in order to remember that bicycles are vehicles, and under the law cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as car drivers. Cyclists need to increase their safety, obey all traffic rules and maintain their bicycles properly.

Obey traffic rules

When on the road cyclists must obey the traffic rules in the same way as any other road user.
 
Some causes of bicycle accidents

Bicycle accidents occur in towns as well as in the country-side. These accidents happen to both adults and children alike.
Bicycle accidents occur when:-

• A motor vehicle crosses the path of an oncoming cyclist.
• A cyclist rides on to the road from a footpath, junction or intersection and is hit by a car.
• A Motor vehicle hits a cyclist from behind or from the side.
• A Motor vehicle stops abruptly in front of a cyclist riding too close.
• A driver opens the car door into the path of a cyclist.
• The road is narrow and the cyclist won’t leave the road for a motor vehicle car to pass

Precautionary measures

Cyclists are advised to always wear bicycle helmets when riding in public places. Bicycle helmets greatly reduce the risk of head injuries, which are the major cause of death and injury to cyclists.
A good helmet is one that:  

• Fits firmly and comfortably on your head and cannot be tilted in any direction; and
• Has straps that can be adjusted so there is no slack when they are fastened.

Dress

The clothes you wear while cycling should be comfortable and brightly colored. Make sure they cannot get caught in the chain, pedals or wheels. Always wear enclosed shoes when riding. During the night or early morning make sure you wear reflective clothing and your bike has reflectors and working lights.

Cycling Safety Tips

• Ensure your bicycle is the right size. A bicycle that is too big or too small can be difficult to control and dangerous, especially for children.
• Make sure all controls are within easy reach and comfortable to use, and that the seat can be adjusted to suit you.
• Check your bicycle regularly to make sure everything is in good working order, including tyres, wheels, chain, brakes and lights. This makes your bicycle easier and safer to ride.
• Use a specialist bicycle repairer to help with any repairs that you can not undertake yourself.
• Ensure your bicycle undergoes a full service regularly.
• Cycle in the same direction as other traffic and keep your bicycle at least 1m from the side of the road.
• Before changing lanes or turning, always scan behind and signal your intentions to other road users.
• When signaling, try to make eye contact with drivers so you know they have seen you.
• Take extra care when cycling at night. It is harder for motorists to see you and for you to see hazards. Try to cycle on well-lit roads and wear bright/light coloured clothing or a reflective vest. Your bicycle must have a white light on the front, a red rear light and reflectors on the front and back.
• Choose safe routes; preferably those that are not congested.
• Ride defensively; Always be alert to other vehicles and act predictably yourself.
• When using a shared or separated footpath, ride in a manner and a speed that will enable you to give way to pedestrians. Always let people walking or slower cyclists know you are about to pass by ringing your bell or simply calling out.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

Many motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured each year in Kenya. Motorcycle riders and their pillion passengers account for a fair percentage of road fatalities although motorcycles account for a small percentage of all vehicles on our roads.
To reduce the likelihood of being a casualty, follow these tips.

Wear the right stuff
 
It is not possible to predict every single event on the road, but if you are involved in a crash you can do a lot to keep injuries to a minimum by wearing 'the right stuff' whenever you ride. Remember pillion passengers should also be as well protected as you are.
Good quality protective clothing can appear expensive but compared to the pain, discomfort and medication; the cost is worthwhile.  

Helmets

A helmet will save your life in most circumstances.

• Riders and pillion passengers must wear a good quality helmet.
• Replace your helmet if it has sustained an impact such as during an accident.
• Never lend or borrow a helmet.
• Never buy one second hand. You won't know how it's been treated, or if it’s sustained unseen damage.
• When choosing a helmet, try several on and spend as much as you can afford. Spend time choosing the best protection, the best fit and most comfortable style for you.

You can choose between:

• A full face style which has a chin bar to cover the lower face and jaw, or
• An open face style which leaves your face exposed.

Note:

Most open face helmets offer no eye defense, so riders could get hit by a rock or a large bug in the eye causing injury or a loss of control; even rain can cause pain, and difficulty in seeing clearly.

Gloves and boots

Do not forget gloves and boots. In a crash it is not unusual for the hands and feet to flap about uncontrollably, striking the road many times. Countless riders have survived a crash with almost no injuries except severe skin loss and lacerations to the hands and feet.

When choosing gloves, keep the following tips in mind:

• Pick gloves that are going to suit your type of riding; ie, business/official, racing, recreational, etc.
• Make sure they fit comfortably to improve your grip on the handlebars.
• Tight gloves may restrict circulation, causing your hands to become cold.
• Bulky gloves may create problems in operating the motorcycle controls.

Motorcycle boots provide important protection for the feet, ankles and the lower legs, and are heavily reinforced in the areas which sustain most stress and injury. This is especially important in a crash as riders often trap their feet under the motorcycle as it slides along the road. Motorcycle boots are also designed to remain secure on the feet, where other types of footwear frequently come off in crashes.
Remember motorcycle boots are purpose made equipment. Any other footwear will not provide the same level of protection.

Jackets, pants and suits

The most common material used for protective clothing is leather, and in terms of abrasion resistance, very little can match it. There are other synthetic materials on the market which offer abrasion resistance as well as weather protection. These are valid alternatives to leather. Many jackets and pants of both synthetic and leather construction now come with impact absorbing inserts, and even spine protectors.
When choosing clothing, comfort and function are important. Make sure that when you're seated in a riding position, the material does not bunch up and restrict blood flow. Importantly make sure that whatever clothing you choose, it is made specifically for motorcycle use only.

Safety Tips for Passengers

Remember that your safety should always be your number one priority.

You do not need to be a motor expert to tell a poorly maintained bus or matatu. Its physical appearance, outside and inside, is enough to inform you of what you are getting yourself into.

Make a habit of taking interest in the physical appearance of the bus or matatu you intend to board. A physically unkempt matatu would most certainly than not be poorly maintained mechanically. Do not take a chance with you life. Most mechanically sound vehicles will also have a well maintained exterior and interior.

If you intend to reach your destination safely;

• Do not board or alight from moving a vehicle.
• Do not board an already full bus or matatu, even when the conductor tells you that some passengers are alighting at the next stop.
• Remember you have a duty to order the driver not to over-speed; and to report any driver or conductor who conducts himself in a dangerous or reckless manner.
• Refuse to be driven by a drunk driver, or one who seemingly has been taking drugs.
• If possible avoid driving long distances at night and do not be driven by a fatigued driver.
• Demand that the driver observes the weather, traffic and other road conditions and does not violate traffic rules.
• Incase of any accident, however small, stop and report to the nearest police station.
• Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest and most effective ways of protecting yourself as a passenger in a car or matatu. A big number of accident victims are killed because they are not wearing seat belts. Hundreds of others are disabled for life for not wearing seat belts.

Be safe; Travel safely