Who is a road user?
This is an individual involved in the events taking place on the track.
Driver
He is given the greatest responsibility and a list of requirements to be fulfilled. The driver of the vehicle is the main participant in the movement. The professional skill of the driver and his skills play a key role in the safety of road traffic.
There are different categories:
- Vehicle driver. This role is given special attention, since most of the points in laws and traffic regulations are related to driving (for example, “General duties of the driver”). However, there are slight inaccuracies in the definition of the term. If a person gets out of the vehicle when a traffic police officer stops a car, he will cease to be a driver.
- Animal driver. The herd crossing the road is also a participant in the DD. Therefore, when moving across the highway, the animals must be accompanied by a shepherd.
- Instructor. He bears full responsibility for the actions of the student behind the wheel.
Passenger
Many vehicles are designed to transport people. This means that passengers are participants in the DD. These are persons, with the exception of drivers, who are in the vehicle.
It is a mistake to think that they are not affected by traffic regulations. Since these are also participants in the movement, if the rules are not followed, a person may be held accountable.
A pedestrian
This is a person who is on or near the road and is not doing any work. Pedestrians are the most problematic category of DD participants due to the formation of the incorrect attitude that they are always right. A third of accidents happen due to their fault.
Driver
The term driver, according to traffic rules, takes on a broader meaning than just a person driving a vehicle.
With your permission, I will consider this term in more detail, and will focus on the phrase “a person driving a vehicle.”
To thoroughly understand who the driver is, it is necessary to quote another term from Chapter 1 of the rules.
It turns out that a person driving a motorcycle, moped and bicycle is also a driver.
The driver is also the driver driving the herd (shepherd, shepherd, etc.). And what’s most interesting is that a driving school instructor is equivalent to a driver, since he also has vehicle controls (brake and clutch pedals) and can intervene in the process of driving at any time. A paradoxical situation arises - there are two drivers in a training car: a student and an instructor.
We can say that the driver is the main participant in the movement, since he controls the vehicle, so if you look at the responsibilities of the participants in the movement, he has much more of them than the rest.
What rights do persons involved in road traffic have?
Drivers, passengers and pedestrians can legally receive:
- Compensation for losses due to non-compliance with standards of road facilities and the road itself.
- Free emergency assistance in case of road accidents from healthcare workers.
- Correct information about the quality of services and facilities related to safety on the highway.
Drivers, pedestrians and passengers must study traffic rules. They can also file a complaint to be reviewed for misconduct by officials directly related to traffic on the highway.
Safety rules and culture of road users
Most drivers and pedestrians avoid difficult situations on the highway. Everyone must clearly understand and realize that the highway is a high-risk area. Not only their lives, but also those around them depend on the behavior of road users.
Some rules of safety and culture of traffic police, which are considered the basis of interaction between drivers:
- To express your gratitude to another, you need to blink your headlights.
- If a person sees a danger in front of him that is hidden for those driving behind, it is recommended to turn on the hazard lights and press the brake pedal several times.
- When another motorist does not close the trunk or door properly, you need to honk at him and point your hand at an element of the car.
- If at night the headlights of an oncoming vehicle are blinding, you need to switch from low beam to high beam.
You should always focus on the car driver’s turn signal if the driver is a cyclist or pedestrian. The latter must also follow all the rules, for example:
- Movement occurs on the sidewalk or along paths. If there are none, then move in 1 row along the side of the road or the edge of the roadway.
- For conflict-free participation in traffic accidents, a pedestrian must walk in specially designated places, and towards vehicles.
- You cannot jump onto the roadway and run across it.
If a person is a passenger, do not forget the following rules:
- Wait for the vehicle in specially designated areas.
- Board the vehicle after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
- Do not lean on the door under any circumstances, as it may open at any moment.
These rules will help instill the skills of safe participation in road traffic among those involved in it.
Deputies propose raising the status of traffic rules
It makes sense to transform the traffic rules (TRAF) into the status of a federal law so that they most fully reflect the requirements for road users and their rights, the deputy told RIA Novosti. Currently, the rules are set by government decree. He recalled that the LDPR faction proposed making a special law that would regulate traffic rules.
“If there continues to be such a mess with the rules, when the Ministry of Transport proposes such things as they propose, that, for example, because of violations on a scooter or scooter they will be deprived of the right to drive a car, then we will definitely change and demand that everyone this was at the level of federal law,” Nilov said.
He was supported by the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on State Construction and Legislation, Vyacheslav Lysakov. He emphasized that traffic rules are within the competence of the government, and deputies are only responsible for amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses for their violations. Lysakov advocated bringing traffic rules and federal law “under one roof.”
“In Belarus, for example, traffic rules are federal law. Belarusian and Ukrainian rules are more compliant with the requirements and risks than ours. There is a section “the rights of road users”. Our document needs to be seriously improved,” says Lysakov.
However, this idea has been expressed more than once. Five years ago, the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained why the rules cannot be made law. Let's start with the fact that we have a federal law "On Road Safety", which stipulates that the government sets the rules. However, there are more serious objections. While the rules are approved by government decree, it is possible to quickly make the necessary changes to them, for example, due to the fact that a new GOST has been adopted. Or clarify concepts when, for example, various points cause ambiguous interpretation. If they were approved by law, then there would be no talk of any efficiency. The process of adopting a law is very drawn out over time.
At the same time, the efficiency argument can be argued. For example, when amendments to the law on compulsory motor liability insurance were adopted and came into force, allowing one to carry a policy with them in the form of an electronic document, more than six months passed before the corresponding amendments to the rules were adopted. The Supreme Court needed clarification on this topic. Or, for example, GOST marking standards that came into force a long time ago have not yet been included in the rules, but the already canceled standard is retained in the rules. The project, which changes the GOST number prepared by the Ministry of Transport, still cannot reach the finish line.
However, there is another argument against it. The rules fully comply with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Any changes to them must be considered from the point of view of compliance with the international document. If the rules are set by deputies, this may lead to a violation of the international agreement. And such agreements have greater legal force than the law. So, most likely, the deputies’ proposal will again not find support.
Crossing the roadway
You need to remember that:
- You can't cross the road everywhere. It is necessary to find special places for this, for example, a zebra crossing, underground or overground passages.
- In places where there is a traffic controller, you must wait for the permission signal to cross the highway.
- It’s worth first seeing if there are cars and how far away they are before you start driving.
- Choose places from which you are crossing so that other traffic participants see the person and are ready to slow down if necessary.
Reader Questions
According to the rules, I must move next to the roadway towards cars. But what should I do if I find myself on the side of passing traffic and I need to go in the same direction? There are no crossings or signs nearby.
Answer: First of all, you must cross the road. If markings and other landmarks are not visible, you can cross the roadway anywhere. It is necessary to do this at a right angle so that car drivers see you and slow down. Maintain a brisk walking pace, but never run. After you have crossed the road, you can move in the direction you want according to the rules.
If there is no bike lane, where should I ride?
Answer: According to the rules of the DD, you can only move on the sidewalk and other pedestrian areas if you dismount. You can drive along the edge of the roadway in the same direction as cars. At the same time, you should not drive onto the road unless absolutely necessary and interfere with moving vehicles.
What can you count on in the roadway area?
While on the track, you need to be prepared for any development of events. For example:
- There are often traffic workers on the highway, which will require you to avoid obstacles.
- A person or animal may suddenly jump out, and you need to be prepared to take safety measures.
- When in a residential area, you should be especially careful. If the person is a driver, then reduce the speed. A pedestrian must take into account that the driver will not always have time to react to the sudden appearance of people on the road.
Pedestrian traffic rules
By adhering to the rules of appropriate behavior on the road, a pedestrian can ensure comfort and safety for himself and other citizens while in any area.
Driving on the sidewalk
A sidewalk is a separate part of the road designated specifically for pedestrians. Usually the sidewalk is separated by a curb, fence or lawn.
A pedestrian can move along the sidewalk in any direction absolutely freely.
The sidewalk and the curb are not the same thing. The shoulder is also part of the road, but it is not highlighted in any way, does not have clear boundaries with the roadway and has the same height. If there is no sidewalk, the pedestrian can walk along the side of the road in the direction he needs.
The curb cannot be on the side of the sidewalk, since the presence of one of these zones excludes the other.
Driving on a roadway without a sidewalk
A person can move along the edge of the road if there is no safer option within sight. In this case, the pedestrian must walk strictly on the side of oncoming cars.
The opposite rule works for two-wheeler drivers, as well as wheelchair users. In order to comply with the rules, they must go towards passing cars.
Movement when crossing the roadway
If we are talking about a controlled intersection, crossing it will not be difficult; just follow the signals of the traffic controller or the color of the traffic light.
If there are no landmarks at all, it is very difficult to cross the roadway in such an area.
The road can only be crossed at an angle of 90 degrees, perpendicular to the road. The pedestrian should move at a brisk pace, but not at a run, after making sure that there are no quickly approaching cars on both sides. Motorists must notice the pedestrian in time and slow down.
Crossing the road when crossing road lanes is prohibited in the following cases:
- if there is a bend in the road on the left or right;
- there is an obstacle to the view of motorists;
- there is no dividing strip (on broadband roads).
Traveling at night
At night, citizens must adhere to general rules, but traffic police officers give additional recommendations. At night and in winter, it is extremely important to wear reflective elements on outerwear, shoes or bags that will make the pedestrian visible to the person driving.
Traffic rules for people with disabilities
People with disabilities, as well as their accompanying persons, can move both on designated areas (sidewalks, bike paths and roadsides) and next to active traffic. Moreover, they can move along the road not only when there is no safe alternative nearby, but also if the wheelchair interferes with people in the pedestrian area.
Along the road, citizens in wheelchairs should only move in the same direction as cars.
Rules for pedestrians with children on sleds, strollers or bicycles
When driving along a zebra crossing, citizens with children, according to the rules, must remove the child from the children's transport, take him in his arms if the passenger is small, or by the hand if he is able to walk independently, and cross the road in this position. Bicycle owners must dismount and cross the road, carrying the vehicle next to them.
Movement of people outside populated areas
The movement of a pedestrian outside a populated area is no different from the methods of movement of pedestrians in the city area. If there are no pedestrian zones or simply a relatively safe place for pedestrians to move along a country road, you should walk against oncoming traffic along the side of the road.
