Lesson No. 15 - Traffic Education

TRAFFIC EDUCATION

A taxi driver, going form the Rawalpindi to Islamabad was rashly driving the taxi. He went zigzagging through the heavy traffic. Sometimes he turned to the right and then suddenly turned to the left, squeezing through the traffic. But the same driver, entering Islamabad was a changed person. Why so? Observance of traffic rules by the others and Enforcement of them by the Islamabad police changed him.

Why is it that the traffic on the Motor Way is so orderly? Two factors are responsible for it i.e. examples set by the others and the observance of rules for fear of being caught and fined heavily by the Motor Way Police. So we learn the rules by imitating the other or for fear of being caught or for violation of the rules and being punished. Thus police too can do so in the city of Lahore, where the traffic has become wild for not observing the traffic rules. The donkey carts, rickshaws, wagon and motorists have no sense of rules at all. The cases cited above emphasize the importance of traffic education, which is badly needed for the orderly and smooth flow of traffic in the cities. But from where to get such an education?

There are institutions that a train you in driving. They teach the traffic rules and how to avoid the accidents. If you are driving a motor cycle or a car, do get the driving license after proper training and test. Learn the rules but the most important thing is to observe them. But what about those who are walking on foot? Must they also know the rules? Yes, for a safe walk on the road side.

Some of the rules are as under:

1. If you are driving a vehicle, keep to the left. However, if there are lanes, leave the right most lane for the fast traffic or for the over taking of vehicles.

2. If you are walking on the right side of the road so that traffic coming from opposite side may not disturb your walk.

3. While going form one side to the other side of the road use the zebra crossing. Cross the road when the traffic is stopped on red signal. If there is no zebra crossing or traffic signal then look on both sides and wait till the traffic becomes thin.

4. All traffic including the cycles, must stop behind the lane in front of the signal.

5. Observe the speed limits-not more than 60 kilometer per hour in the city.

6. While entering the main road stop to look to the right and left and then go, making sure that there is no approaching traffic.

7. Yellow light of the signal is a warning. It requires you to slow down and stop on the red light.

8. Try to follow the road signs displayed by the traffic police.

9. The lights of your vehicle, through it may be a bicycle, must be on at right.

10. Consider the traffic constable your well-wisher who performs his duty adverse environment.

EXERCISE

Q: 1 Choose the most appropriate answer.

I) the taxi mentioned in the lesson.
(a) Went smoothly through the lesson (b) was stuck in the traffic (c) passed with difficulty through the traffic and (d) passed easily through the traffic

ii) The taxi squeezed through the traffic
(a) was caught in the traffic (b) managed to pass through the traffic (c) rushed swiftly through the traffic and (d) was pressed in the traffic

iii) We learn the rules by imitating means
(a) by copying others (b) from high schools (c) by meeting people and talking to others

iv) To develop the traffic sense means to
(a) observes traffic rules (b) go on full speed (c) walk on the road and (d) be challenged

Q: 2 Tick (-/) the true or false statements.

i) The taxi driver was a rash driver. (-/) T
ii) The taxi passed straight through the traffic. (-/) T
iii) Islamabad traffic had a negative effect on the driver. (-/) F
iv) The traffic on Motor Way is very orderly. (-/) F
v) The police play no role in traffic education. (-/) T
vi) We need no training for getting driving license. (-/) F
vii) Cyclists should not follow the traffic rules. (-/) F
viii) Pedestrians should walk when the light turns green. (-/) T
ix) We can go on driving at the yellow. (-/) F

Q: 3 Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions given below.
(to, on, into, at, by, of)

i) The driver was in the habit of driving fast.
ii) The man was walking on the wrong side of the road.
iii) He went to school on a bicycle.
iv) We learn the rules by imitating others.
v) He jumped into the river.
vi) The traffic rules help us to drive safely.
vii) While driving keep to the left.
viii) Yellow light is a sign to slow down.
ix) All of us should understand the meaning of the traffic signs.

Q: 4 Use the following words in sentences of your own.

Zigzag, slow down, instruct, hurriedly, pedestrian, imitate, emphasize, pavement, vehicle

Zigzag

The driver was going zigzagging through the heavy traffic.
Slow down

When the traffic light turns yellow slow down.
Instruct

The word 'instruct' means to teach somebody a subject or how to do something.
Hurriedly

I saw a man walking hurriedly through the street.
Pedestrian

Pedestrians should also observe the traffic rules.
Imitate

The monkey was imitating an angry man.
Emphasize

The President of Pakistan emphasized the importance of unity.
Pavement

The pedestrians should walk on pavement.
Vehicle

If you are driving a vehicle, keep to the left…….

Q: 5 Answer the following questions.

i) How was the taxi driver driving in Rawalpindi?
Ans: The taxi driver was rashly driving the taxi. He was going zigzagging through the heavy traffic.

ii) While entering Islamabad the taxi driver was a changed person. How?
Ans: When the taxi driver entered Islamabad, he saw observance of traffic rules by the others and enforcement of them by the Islamabad Police. Therefore, he gave up reckless driving and became a good driver.

iii) How can police give us traffic education?
Ans: Police can give us education by punishing the drivers for violation of the rules. Police can also give traffic education using different media of communication like posters, banners, radio and TV etc.

iv) What is zebra crossing and what for?
Ans: Straight lines (IIIIII) on road are called 'zebra crossing'. It is a path reserved for pedestrians to cross the road.

v) Mention any two traffic rules.
Ans: 1. All traffic, including the cycles, must stop behind the lane in front
of the signal.
2. Observe the speed limits – not more than 60 kilometers per hour in the city.

Q: 6 Punctuate the following.

A taxi driver going from Rawalpindi to Islamabad was rashly driving the taxi he went zigzagging through the heavy traffic.

Ans: A taxi driver, going from Rawalpindi to Islamabad was rashly driving the taxi He went zigzagging through the heavy traffic.

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