WEEK 3 DATE……………………….

SUBJECT: CIVIC EDUCATION

CLASS: S.S.2
TOPIC: TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

CONTENT: 1. Meaning of traffic regulations.

2. Traffic regulations

SUB-TOPIC 1: MEANING OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Traffic rules and regulations refer to a set of laws prepared for road users on how
to behave on the road. Traffic regulations are those laws, rules and regulations
which all road users must follow. The road users include pedestrians,
motorcyclists, and drivers of all kinds of vehicles. It is called a high way code in
UK, traffic code in USA and Highway codes in Nigeria.

ROAD SIGNS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Every day, we come across many signs on our roads.

Such signs include:

1. Traffic Lights: This is usually located at cross-roads junctions. Traffic lights

have three colours, which are green, amber and red.

Each colour gives specific instruction to road users,

e.g. Amber (Yellow light) indicates get ready to go

Green means go while red means stop.

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 TRAFFIC LIGHT

2. Zebra Crossing: This is used to indicate where pedestrians ( people walking)

can safely cross the road. Once a pedestrian steps on the zebra line, motorists,
motorcyclists and bicycle riders are expected to stop. Zebra crossing are
usually constructed in front of schools, hospital, markets and busy spots.

3. Road Diversion: it is a roads sign that prepares road users for a change in the
direction of the road.
4. Hill Sign: The hill sign means to inform road users about the hill nature of the
road ahead.

Road Block: Are stops on the road usually for security checks e.g. the police check
point, customs, immigration and federal Road safely commission ( FRSC)

SOME TRAFFIC REGULATIONS IN NIGERIA

1. Registration of vehicles
2. Obeying traffic officials
3. Avoiding over speeding
4. No driving by minors
5. Do not drink and drive
6. All drivers must possess valid driver’s license
7. Stopping for pedestrians to cross when you see zebra crossing
8. Do not overtake in the bend
9. No driving when mentally or physically unfit to drive
 10. Fire service vehicles and ambulance to be given free passage
11. Traffic signs and lights must be obeyed

No one shall park his vehicle in public place in such a way that it causes danger,
obstruction to other road users.

1. ROLES OF INDIVIDUALS AND GOVERNMENT IN

MAINTAIN TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

SUB – TOPIC 1: ROLES OF INDIVIDUALS IN MAINTAIN TRAFFIC

REGULATIONS.

Traffic regulations are the guiding rules that are made to assist road users to bring
about safety, orderliness and timely flow of traffic on the roads.

The four categories of road users are - Pedestrian, Riders of bicycles of all types
(including motor bikes), Riders of motor-tricycles and Drivers of automobiles of all
types (cars, buses, vans, articulated Lorries)

i. It is the responsibility of all road users to obey all traffic rules and regulation
in order to ensure the safety of all and smooth flow of traffic. All road signs,
traffic lights warden or authority must be obeyed.

ii. All road users are to co-operate with the traffic officials.

iii. Individuals are to stay away from alcoholic substances before driving.

iv. We should be our brothers’ keepers by helping / offering assistance to genuine

victims of accidents.

v. Drivers should drive within speed limit allowed for their vehicles – no phone
calls, eating, smoking on the steering. They should undergo traffic training for
proper education

vi. Pedestrian should walk on the pedestrian pathway or pavement.

vii. Wearing of reflective garment especially in the night while walking on the
road.

viii. Parents should educate their children on road safety at home.

ix. Use of road safety belts will on seats of cars and safety helmet.
x. Traders should not obstruct traffic and endanger their lives by selling on the
road sides and hooking on the road.

EVALUATION

1. What is traffic regulation?

2. Mention four categories of road.

SUB-TOPIC 2: THE ROLES OF THE GOVERNMENT IN

MAINTAINING TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.

The Nigerian Government established Federal Road safety commission (FRSC) by

decree No. 45 of 1988 under the military regime of General Ibrahim Gbadamosi
Babangida. February 1988. Amended in 1992 and passed into law by 2004. It was
established to perform these functions.

- Prevention and reduction of road accidents on all public roads across the
country

- Regulate, enforce and co-ordinate all road traffic and safety management
activities.

- The government is responsible to strengthen traffic laws by making new laws

and amending in effective laws.

- Punishment of offenders that disregard or disobey traffic rules.

- Construction of road traffic signs on the major highways to enhance safety.

- There should be pubic enlightenment for example: public lectures, symposia,

workshops, new paper articles among other, to enlighten the public on the
consequences of disobeying the law.

- NGOs also obey and assist traffic officials such as boys and girls brigade, boys
scout. They visit where there are traffic jam to regulate traffic. They also
provide First Aid to accident victims.

The three main functions of the FRSC are:

- Making the highways safe for motorists and other road users.

- Recommending works and infrastructures to eliminate or minimize accidents

 on the highways.

- Educating motorists and members of the public on the importance of road

discipline on the high ways .

- Government also uses other bodies/agencies to maintain traffic regulation.

- Traffic Warden

- Highway Patrol Team

- Road Traffic Officer

- Vehicle inspection officers (VIO)

- Customs, Army Volunteered special Road marshal. Man O’ war, Nigerian

security and Civil Defence Corps.