If you have ever traveled on the main roads near your town, you will have seen lorries and tankers overturned in the ditch by the side of the road, or perhaps lorries and cars which have collided with each other. The number of accidents on our roads is increasing year by year. And the issue of curbing this accident has become a general concern. Many people are killed and many more are fatally injured in road accidents every day.

One of the major jobs of the police is to try to deplete the number of these accidents on our roads. one of the ways in which they do this is to put up road-signs at different points along the road, especially in places which are very busy or at spots where many accidents do and have occurred. Some of these signs consist of words. Others have pictures or diagram without any words. Some examples of the different signs you do see are shown in the diagram above.

Everyone who rides a cycle or drives a lorry or car should keep a look-out for the various road-signs and obey their instructions carefully. This is one way in which to prevent accidents.

But road-signs alone are not enough. The police can do little to prevent accidents if the people who use the roads do not help them. In most countries there is a set of rules which cyclists and drivers should follow. This is often called the ‘Highway Code’ if everyone followed the instructions it gives there would be far fewer accidents. Here are some simple rules for safety on the roads. they are written for cyclists.

1. Always ride on the left-hand side of the road.
2. Never ride more than two abreast.
3. When turning to the left, make a clear signal with the right arm outstretched parallel to the ground.
4. When to turning to the right, make a similar signal with the left hand.
5. Do not wave or point to anything or anyone on the road. If you do, others may think you are making a signal.
6. Always ride with both hands on the handlebars.
7. Do not carry passengers on the crossbar.
8. When you are riding by night, your bicycle must have a strong white light fixed in front and a red light at the back. Paint the rear mudguard white.

In addition, you should always keep your bicycle in good order. Make sure that your mudguards, handle bars and saddle are firmly fixed, and that your brakes and bell are working properly and in good condition.

Never ride a bicycle that is too big for you. When sitting on the saddle you should be able to touch the ground with your toes.

Safety will be ensured if the general public bear in mind and adhere to set-rules for road users.