Basic 5 · Our World and Our People · My Family
Staying Safe on the Road
In this topic you will identify things to do to stay safe on the road as a pedestrian, passenger and cyclist.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify road signs and traffic lights
- State safety rules for pedestrians and passengers
- Explain the causes of road accidents
What you already know
- Safety at home and school (Basic 4)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- All About Us
- Sub-strand
- My Family
- Indicator
- B5.1.3.2.1 – Identify things to do to stay safe on roads
Introduction
Every year many people in Ghana are killed or injured in road accidents, and many of them are pedestrians, including children. Knowing and obeying road safety rules can save your life.
1. Traffic Lights
| Light | Meaning for drivers | Meaning for pedestrians |
|---|---|---|
| red | stop | you may cross if the pedestrian signal shows the green man |
| amber (yellow) | get ready to stop | do not start crossing |
| green | go if the way is clear | do not cross |
2. Rules for Pedestrians
- Use the pedestrian walkway (pavement) where there is one.
- Where there is no walkway, walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic.
- Cross at a zebra crossing, footbridge or traffic light, or with a road warden.
- Before crossing, stop at the kerb, look left, look right, look left again and listen. In Ghana vehicles drive on the right, so the nearest traffic comes from your left.
- Cross straight across; walk, do not run.
- Do not play on or near the road.
- Wear bright or reflective clothes at night.
3. Rules for Passengers
- Wear a seat belt in every seat.
- Children should sit in the back seat.
- Do not put your head or hands out of the window.
- Do not distract the driver.
- Get on and off only when the vehicle has stopped, on the side away from traffic.
- Wear a helmet on a motorbike (okada).
4. Causes of Road Accidents
| Cause | Example |
|---|---|
| speeding | driving faster than the speed limit |
| drunk driving | driving after drinking alcohol |
| using phones while driving or walking | not paying attention |
| poor vehicle condition | worn tyres, faulty brakes |
| careless pedestrians | crossing anywhere, playing on the road |
| overloading | carrying too many people or goods |
Cyclists must also obey traffic lights and signs, ride on the right side of the road in single file, use a bell and lights, and wear a helmet. Children should not ride bicycles on busy main roads.
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) educates Ghanaians on road safety. In case of an accident, call the ambulance (193) or the police (191), or the general emergency number 112.
New words
- pedestrian
- A person walking on the road.
- zebra crossing
- Black-and-white stripes where pedestrians cross.
- kerb
- The edge of the pavement.
- seat belt
- A strap that holds a passenger in the seat.
- footbridge
- A bridge for pedestrians over a road.
- road sign
- A sign that gives road users information.
Summary
- Obey traffic lights and road signs.
- Walk facing traffic and cross at safe crossing points.
- Passengers must wear seat belts and helmets.
- Speeding, drunk driving and carelessness cause accidents.
Class activity: Road Safety Drill
- Draw a road and a zebra crossing on the ground with chalk.
- Practise stopping at the kerb and looking right, left and right again.
- Take turns being the warden.
You need: Locally made traffic-light model, Printed Ghana road-sign cards, Toy car
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. What should you do at a red light as a driver?
- A. Stop
- B. Go fast
- C. Hoot
- D. Turn around
Show answer
Answer: StopRed means stop.2. Where there is no walkway, pedestrians should walk…
- A. on the left facing oncoming traffic
- B. in the middle
- C. with traffic behind them
- D. on the right only
Show answer
Answer: on the left facing oncoming trafficSo they can see vehicles.3. Which is a cause of road accidents?
- A. Speeding
- B. Wearing seat belts
- C. Using footbridges
- D. Obeying signs
Show answer
Answer: SpeedingIt reduces control.4. Passengers should wear seat belts.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThey save lives.5. It is safe to play football on the road.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseVehicles may hit you.6. Black-and-white stripes where people cross the road are a ______ crossing.
Show answer
Answer: zebraDrivers must stop.7. State three rules for crossing the road.
Show answer
Answer: Stop at the kerb, look left-right-left, cross at a zebra crossing (or walk, do not run).Any three.8. Explain why using a phone while crossing the road is dangerous.
Show answer
Answer: You do not see or hear approaching vehicles, so you may step in front of one.Distraction.
Homework
- Draw five road signs you see on your way to school and write their meanings.