Naabeli Driving Institute

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LESSON 5: ROAD SIGNS (Part II)
Today we will continue with where we left off from the last lesson. We had done two of the types of road signs. The third road signs type is called regulatory signs.

They control road users' actions by giving specific orders that ought to be followed. As to whether we obey or not as road users is another thing. They are subdivided into two and I usually call them the "binding signs" because disobeying them when caught comes with severe punishment(s). They are most often circular in shape.

i. Mandatory signs - They are usually in a blue background as shown below. Often called the "Dos", they order the road user to do an action even though they might have thought they could do otherwise.

For instance, you're at a junction where you have the chance to turn right or go straight, but there's a road sign that says you must go only straight. You will have no option but to go straight because for all you know the right could be one- way.

ii. Prohibitory signs - Also known as the "Don'ts", they are signs that forbids the road user to taking an action. They specifically prohibit you from doing one thing or another. "No right turn", "No entry" and "No stopping" are examples of prohibitory signs.

They usually have a white background with a red boarder and a cross (it is also sometimes without the cross). See the second picture below.

There are some complicated road signs which we will discuss in subsequent lessons. Please study the types of road signs well and remember their colours and shapes in order to help you stay out of danger whilst using the road.

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Safe Road Usage
National Road Safety Commission
Bagna Driving Academy

Eid Ul Mubarak to everyone and may Allah accept our Ibadah.

LESSON 5: ROAD SIGNS (Part I)
By far, this is the lengthiest topic in driving and could take us several months to deal with. However, I'll try as much as I can to make it shorter. It is also seen as one of the most important topics if the not the most vital.

But what is a road sign? We often see them by the road but we hardly comprehend their meaning and in fact, we care the less. We further think that road signs are meant only for road users on wheel (motorists). This surely is a fallacy and must be corrected.

Road signs are symbols on large plates erected by the side of the road and make complete meaning. They are meant to communicate to all road users about certain dangers ahead or activities or happenings that could fuel accidents. In essence, you are being directed to do what will lead you away from danger or you are told about what you don't know to keep you safe.

There are over 120 common road signs. This makes it quiet arduous for one to memorize them all. However, there are simple techniques you can use to help you identify them. There are 3 types of road signs. See the pictures that follow.

1. Warning signs
They are usually in triangles with a red boarder, a white background and the symbol being black. They give prior notice of a danger or potential danger ahead. For this reason, they are usually placed about 40 to 50 metres before you get to the spot you are being warned about. Generally, you must always slow down, be careful and stay alert upon seeing a warning sign regardless of your knowledge or ignorance about its full imprint. See picture 1.

2. Informatory Signs
These are signs that give information and/or direction (especially at intersections/junctions and roundabouts). It gives you an idea of what to do at a point in time and alliws you to make informed decisions as you use the road. They are mostly in blue or green backgrounded rectangles with white symbols or writings. However, some of them are in silver or white backgrounded rectangles with black symbols or writings. See picture 2.

Try to identify any road sign and see if it falls under any of the types discussed above and share with us.

We will discuss the rest in our next lesson. Do stay safe and see you in our next lesson. Stay Blessed and Ramadan Kareem!

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National Road Safety Commission
National Road Safety Commission,Ghana
The Road and Me
Safe Road Usage
Bagna Driving Academy

LESSON 4 (PART IIc): THE VISOR
Ever wandered the name of this object below? Well, it is called the (windscreen) visor. They are a pair of objects in a vehicle behind the windscreen, towards the roof. They are pulled down and positioned appropriately to protect your eyes from sun rays that may glare your vision. It sometimes has a mirror behind it and the ladies love it😂😂😂

However, it cannot protect glare from dazzling light of oncoming vehicles at night. Study it further and use it appropriately. Thanks and remember to remain safe.
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Safe Road Usage
National Road Safety Commission
Bagna Driving Academy

LESSON 4 (PART IIb): THE PEDALS
The pedals are one of the most essential parts of the vehicle and I dare say that without them it will be difficult if not impossible to move the vehicle. They lie a little above the floor of the vehicle far below the steering wheel. In an automatic transmitted vehicle they are two but, three in a manual transmitted one.

They are the clutch, the brake and the accelerator as labelled in the picture below. Study it carefully before you sit to move the vehicle.

The clutch
It disengages the gear box and allow for you to be able to select or change gear. When your engine is switched off, the gear lever is flexible even without the aid of the clutch pedal. However, it gets hard and immovable as soon as you start the engine or your vehicle is in motion.

You must therefore press it fully down before selecting or changing from one gear to another. It is non negotiable! It is also used to stop smoothly. In stopping a manual transmitted vehicle, you must first disengage the gear box by selecting neutral gear or pressing down the clutch pedal fully. If you do not do that, you will stall the vehicle rather than stop. The left foot is used to operate the clutch pedal.

The brake
This is the pedal that you press to slow down or come to a complete halt. Stopping can be in three folds, thus obligatory, mandatory or emergency. We will study them in subsequent topics. You must learn how to use the brake pedal and the nature of the brakes of the particular vehicle you are to drive before driving along on the road. It is in the middle of the clutch pedal (left) and accelerator pedal (right).

The accelerator
By far, it dictates the pace of the moving vehicle. The harder you press it, the faster the vehicle goes. It is linked to the carburetor which distributes fuel to the appropriate chambers of the engine. You must therefore note that trying to speed at once by pressing the accelerator pedal hard without allowing for the engine to pull up on its own consumes excessive fuel. It is to the right of the brake pedal and shares the right foot with the brake pedal because you cannot move and stop simultaneously.

- For learner drivers, it is common to mistake one pedal for the other in your first few lessons. However, you can easily remember them by reading ABC from right to left for accelerator pedal (A), brake pedal (B) and clutch pedal (C) respectively.

Thank you and catch you in our next lesson. Until then, remember to stay safe. Bye!

Cc
National Road Safety Commission
Safe Road Usage
Bagna Driving Academy