loading

Traffic rules

The traffic rules describe how a road user must act on the public road, which includes obligations but also advice on how to drive sensibly and safely. All road users must know and apply the traffic rules.


8. Dangers

There are many dangers on public roads, drivers have to recognize these dangers and respond in the right way. Here you will find an overview of the most common hazards.


Be extra careful in bad weather conditions such as bright sun, rain, wind, snow, fog, ...


Crossing animals can cause serious damage and injuries.


Alcohol

Alcohol and driving a vehicle are a very dangerous combination. Alcohol reduces attention, assessment and reaction capacity. A drunk driver is not only a danger to himself, but also to other road users. That is why the police often organize alcohol checks, alcohol intoxication is measurable and punishable from a certain level.

  • An alcohol interlock is a measure applied for drivers with an alcohol problem.
  • An alcohol control will not be asked to passengers or pedestrians.
  • During a breath test the concentration of alcohol is measured with a breathalyzer.
    • Less than 0.22 mg/l: the alcohol content is below the legal maximum, you can continue driving.
    • Between 0.22 mg/l and 0.35 mg/l: driving license revoked for 3 hours and a fine.
    • 0.35 mg/l or more: driving license revoked for 6 hours and a fine.

An alcohol control will not be asked to passengers or pedestrians.


During a breath test the concentration of alcohol is measured with a breathalyzer.


Weather

Reduce your speed in rain, snow and sleet. The road surface is much smoother in bad weather conditions, so the tires have less grip. In case of a wet road surface it is best to reduce your speed by about 15 km / h. With snow you can best halve your speed. Use snow tires or snow chains when there is snow on the road. On ice you have to drive very carefully, because a vehicle is not controllable on ice. It is therefore very dangerous to drive on ice.


Warning for heavy crosswind.


Warning for a slippery road surface.


Roadworks

In roadworks, temporary orange colored lines are often painted on the road surface. The orange stripes then replace the white ones.

  • Road works usually cause dangerous and unknown situations, often there is an lower speed limit.
  • During road works yellow lines are sometimes temporarily applied, they replace the white lines.

Warning for roadworks.


Warning for loose chippings on the road surface.


Traffic jam

Traffic congestion is a condition on transport that is characterised by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. Traffic congestion on urban road networks has become increasingly problematic since the 1950s. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles slows the speed of the traffic stream, this results in some congestion. As demand approaches the capacity of a road, extreme traffic congestion sets in. When vehicles are fully stopped for periods of time, this is known as a traffic jam. Traffic congestion can lead to drivers becoming frustrated and engaging in road rage.

  • In traffic jams on a motorway, dynamic traffic signs are often used to reduce the speed.
  • Keep sufficient distance in case of a traffic jam, in case of a sudden traffic jam you can warn other road users with the 4 turn signals.

In traffic jams on a motorway, dynamic traffic signs are often used to reduce the speed.


Keep sufficient distance in case of a traffic jam, in case of a sudden traffic jam you can warn other road users with the 4 turn signals.


Blind spot

A blind spot in a vehicle is an area around the vehicle that cannot be directly observed by the driver while at the controls, under existing circumstances. Blind spots exist in a wide range of vehicles: aircraft, cars, motorboats, sailboats, and trucks. Other types of transport have no blind spots at all, such as bicycles, horses, and motorcycles. Proper adjustment of mirrors and use of other technical solutions can eliminate or alleviate vehicle blind spots.


The blind spot is usually most dangerous with large vehicles such as trucks, buses and tractors.



Wrong-way driving

Wrong-way driving is the act of driving a motor vehicle against the direction of traffic. It can occur on either one- or two-way roads, as well as in parking lots and parking garages, and may be due to driver inattention or impairment, or because of insufficient or confusing road markings or signage, or a driver from a right-hand traffic country being unaccustomed to driving in a left-hand traffic country. People intentionally drive in the wrong direction because they missed an exit, for thrill-seeking, or as a shortcut.


Direction prohibited
(road with one-way traffic).


The black car that is red just drove past, a wrong-way driver.


Roadkill

Crossing animals can cause dangerous traffic situations. In green areas it often happens that animals cross the road.

  • Some animals are mainly active at night and panic because of the lights of your vehicle.
  • An ecoduct is a bridge or tunnel where wild animals can safely cross the road.

Warning for cattle on the road.


Warning for crossing deer.


Distraction

A driver must concentrate on driving his vehicle. A driver is distracted when something pulls away his attention from the road, so he can focus less on driving his vehicle. A distracted driver is at greater risk of being involved in an accident. With the known consequences (property damage, injuries, deaths).

  • Emotions influence your driving behavior, they affect the way we think, take risks and process information.
  • A smartphone behind the wheel is a distraction.
  • Handsfree calls are also a distraction.

Children in the backseat or other passengers can be distracting.


Smartphones cause accidents, put your electronic devices in car mode.


Health

Driving a vehicle is a complex and underestimated skill. There are many health problems that can affect your ability to drive. A stiff neck, a cough or pain in the legs can cause you to react more slowly. If you do not feel well, let someone else drive. Medication can also have a major impact on your driving. Consult your doctor if you think you may have a condition that would prevent you from driving safely.

  • If you think you may have a condition that would prevent you from driving safely, consult your doctor.
  • Visual impairment and night blindness are common, consult your doctor if you have any complaints.
  • Driving a vehicle with epilepsy can be dangerous for you and other road users.

If you think you may have a condition that would prevent you from driving safely, consult your doctor.


Visual impairment and night blindness are common, consult your doctor if you have any complaints.