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ChildSouth Africa

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
South Africa

73. Child

A child is a young person who requires particular care and protection in road traffic because of their smaller size, limited experience and developing ability to recognise traffic hazards. Children may participate in traffic as pedestrians, cyclists or passengers in vehicles.

Drivers should take extra care when children are present or may reasonably be expected, particularly near schools, playgrounds, residential areas and pedestrian crossings.

Child
Child taking part in a Trailnet bicycle-safety rodeo.
Wikimedia.org • Trailnet • CC BY-SA
Why are children particularly vulnerable in traffic?

Children may have more difficulty judging vehicle speed, distance and traffic situations and are less visible to drivers because of their smaller size.

How should drivers behave when children are near the road?

Drivers should reduce speed when necessary, remain especially alert and be prepared to stop if a child enters or approaches the roadway.

How should children travel in a car?

Children should use an appropriate child restraint or seat belt according to their size, age and the applicable national rules.

1 South Africa 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Pedestrian warning 5 Speed bump 6 Toll road 7 Dead end 8 Stop sign 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Pedestrian crossing 12 Railway crossing 13 School area 14 Crossing animals 15 Curve 16 Wrong-way driving 17 Traffic lights 18 Traffic lights warning 19 Traffic mirror 20 Parking 21 Reversing 22 Tourist attraction 23 Dangers 24 Bus 25 Police 26 Ambulance 27 Pothole 28 Path 29 Particulates 30 Air pollution 31 Rush hour 32 Road code 33 Street gutter 34 Cargo bike 35 Forestry vehicle 36 Construction vehicle 37 Semi-trailer truck 38 Trolleybus 39 Speed pedelec 40 Delivery vehicle 41 Idling 42 Tow truck 43 Four-wheel drive 44 Bicycle 45 Motorcycle equipment 46 Rail track 47 Caravan 48 Trailer 49 Tow hitch 50 Fire truck 51 Siren 52 Convoy 53 Emergency vehicle lighting 54 Agricultural machinery 55 Electric bicycle 56 Electric vehicle 57 Pedelec 58 Quadricycle 59 Microcar 60 All-terrain vehicle 61 Van 62 Recreational vehicle 63 Scooter 64 Trikke 65 Personal mobility device 66 Skateboard 67 Segway 68 Kick scooter 69 Roller skates 70 Mailman 71 Hitchhiker 72 Toddler 73 Child 74 Disability 75 Motorail 76 km/h 77 mph 78 Speedometer 79 Ride height 80 Dirt road 81 Driving 82 Start-stop system 83 Manual transmission 84 Automatic transmission 85 Throttle 86 Tachometer 87 Steering wheel 88 Power steering 89 Visual scanning 90 Mirror 91 Fuel 92 Fuel gauge 93 Petrol 94 Diesel 95 Diesel exhaust fluid 96 Car insurance 97 First aid kit 98 Fire extinguisher 99 High-visibility clothing 100 First aid ...