Road safety handbook: On the road

In this section:

A forward facing child seat or booster must be used if available. If not an adult seatbelt MUST be used.
Never lean or wave out of the window, or throw or hang anything out.
Do not block the driver's view in the mirror.
Only open doors or windows if it is safe.
Keep your hands away from the door handles while the car is moving.
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.

When you wait for a bus, stand on the pavement well back from traffic. It is dangerous to play around at bus stops.
Wait for people to get off the bus before you get on.
Always do what the drivers tell you and do not distract them.
If you do need to cross the road after getting off a bus, wait for it to move away first.

Always obey traffic light signals, road signs and the signals given by police officers, traffic wardens and school crossing patrols.
Learn the meaning of all road signs and markings. Circular Signs usually give orders, triangular signs give warnings and rectangular signs give information.

You should indicate signals to other drivers and watch out for their signals when on the road.

You must wear an approved safety helmet and fasten it securely. Wear boots or shoes and with soles and heels.
Check that your horse or pony is properly shod and the saddlery and bridle correctly adjusted.
Make sure you can control your horse. If your horse is nervous, ride with other less nervous horses.
Before you move off or turn, always look around to see if it is safe, give a clear arm signal and move off with both hands on the reins.
Avoid roundabouts whenever possible. If you have to use one, keep to the left and look out for traffic coming onto the roundabout from other roads. Signal left before you leave the roundabout.
When you lead a horse, always keep yourself between it and the traffic.
Make sure other road users can see you by day and night. Fit fluorescent/reflective legbands to your horse and wear a fluorescent/reflective jacket.
It is safer not to ride at night, but if you have to you should fit a safety light to the offside stirrup, showing white to the front and red to the rear.

Do not let your dog out on its own. Keep it on a short lead when walking on the pavement, road or a cycle path and keep between the dog and the traffic. Dogs don't know road safety as well as you!
If you have a dog in the car, make sure it and any other animal is restrained so it cannot distract the driver or cause injury if there is an accident. Put the animal on a lead before getting out of the car.

Always try to think about what might be happening around you.
Make sure that you are easily going to be seen.
Drivers need to concentrate on what they are doing, make sure that you do not distract the driver, no matter what vehicle you are travelling in.
Where there are seatbelts always use them.