Dontae Matthews
Education & Information Officer
Island Traffic Authority
Motorised & Non-motorised Vehicles
Motorized Vehicles Include:
- Motor Cycles
- Motor Cars
- Motor Trucks
- Buses
Non-motorised Vehicles
• Pedal cycles
• Animal drawn carts
• Push carts
• Pedicab
PEDESTRIANS
•Persons who walk and run
•Wheelchair users
•Strollers
RULES OF THE ROAD
• All motorised vehicles must drive on the left side of the road
• Non motorized wheeled vehicles should also proceed on the
left side of the road as much as possible
• Pedestrians should use sidewalks of footpaths where they are
provided. Where there is no sidewalk, they should walk on the
right side facing oncoming traffic.
• All motorised and non-motorised vehicles must not drive or
ride on footpaths or sidewalks
• All vehicles must obey road signs and signals
ROAD USERS IN MIXED TRAFFIC
What is mixed traffic? Mixed traffic is defined
as a traffic stream containing various vehicles-
either motorised or non-motorised.
Who is at risk in mixed traffic?
- Pedestrians
- Pedal cyclists
- Disabled road users
ROAD MARKINGS
• A broken white line marks the centre of the road. Vehicles
should not cross it unless they wish to overtake or turn off and
can see that the road is clear way ahead
• The unbroken white line (continuous centre line) means that
vehicles are not permitted to cross in order to overtake or
straddle the line.
• A solid and broken white line together means vehicular traffic
on the broken line’s side may overtake if it is safe, as long as
they can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid
white line on the vehicle’s side.
RIGHTS OF WAY
• Traffic must obey signals given by a law enforcement officer, even if
the officer’s signals contradict the traffic sign or signal
• Vehicles must yield the right-of-way at all times to pedestrians who
are on the crosswalk.
• Vehicles turning right must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight
• At an intersection, where there is no stop sign, yield sign or
oncoming traffic signal, vehicles must yield to vehicles coming from
the right
• At a four way stop, ALL VEHICLES MUST STOP. The vehicle reaching
the intersection first should go first. If more than one vehicle arrives
at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.
• Vehicles entering a roundabout must yield to vehicles already in the
roundabout
ROAD SIGNS AND SYMBOLS
Road signs and symbols are used as a means of warning and
guiding drivers, helping to regulate the flow of traffic, vehicles,
pedestrians, motor cycles, pedal cycles and others who travel
the streets, highways and other roadways.
TYPES OF ROAD SIGNS
These include:
• Regulatory
• Warning
• Informational
Regulatory Signs
These signs can be classified as Priority, Mandatory or Prohibitory
Priority Signs: Tell a road user who has the right of way at an
intersection or the order in which vehicles should go.
Examples: The Stop Sign and Give Way Sign
Regulatory Signs
Mandatory Signs: These signs are a white circle with a red border
and black graphics. Motorists must follow the directions indicated
by the signs.
Eg: Traffic Straight ahead
Speed Limit
Prohibitory Signs
These are circular in shape with a red border and a diagonal ban
over a black graphic. The banned black graphic can be the image
of a motor vehicle, a direction/movement, particulars of a
vehicle, a road that should not be entered or a type of
manoeuvre performed by a vehicle
Eg:
WARNING SIGNS
These are diamond shaped signs with yellow background, black
border and black graphic to indicate to drivers that there is a hazar
ahead.
EG:
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Traffic Lights or Traffic Signals are to control the movement of traffic on the
roads. The different lights (green, amber, red) tell road users what to do:
Traffic Lights change their colours in the same order every time
• Red: This tell the driver to stop
• Green: This means the driver can start driving or keep driving if safe to
do so
• Amber: This tells drivers to stop when it is safe to, or prepare to stop,
because the light is about to turn red.
Lights within a circle direct traffic going straight
Lights with an arrow direct traffic in the direction of the arrow
If the traffic lights are not working, then the vehicular traffic should treat
the intersection as a four way stop.
SIGNALS
Proper signalling is key to preventing congestion and road traffic
collisions. These are some guidelines:
- The driver should signal before turning or changing lanes
- Drivers should signal at least 100 metres before turning
POLICE SIGNALS
There will be occasions where the police and other traffic
authorities are required to direct traffic. All police signals and
instructions supersede traffic signals and signs, and should be
obeyed at all times.
Eg: If the light is on red and the police signals you to go, you should
obey the police.
EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Emergency vehicles transport personnel and equipment
attached to the emergency services:
They include:
- The Jamaica Constabulary Force
- The Jamaica Fire Brigade
- The Department of Correctional Service
- Ambulance Companies
These vehicles have the right of passage on all roads
FOR MORE CONTENT FOLLOW US:
@roadsafetyunit
@roadsafetyunit
@roadsafetyja
Thank you for listening!