Principles of the New Road Traffic Act
For smooth and safe road traffic, it is important that everyone can trust that all road users comply with traffic rules. The new Road Traffic Act introduces the obligation to anticipate.
General obligations of road users
Road users must observe traffic rules and the care and caution required by the prevailing conditions in order to avoid danger and damage.
Traffic may not be needlessly obstructed or hindered. A vehicle may not be driven at an unduly slow speed or suddenly braked unnecessarily.
Road users’ obligation to anticipate
Road users’ obligation to anticipate has been added as a new principle to the Road Traffic Act. Road users must anticipate the actions of other road users to avoid danger and damage and adapt their own actions accordingly to contribute to smooth and safe traffic.
Safe driving
Vehicle speed and the distance to other road users must be adapted to the situation so that road safety is ensured. Safe driving means that the condition of the road, weather, road conditions, visibility, vehicle load, load type and other conditions must be taken into account. It must be possible to maintain control of the vehicle in all traffic situations.
It must be possible to stop the vehicle within the visible part of the road ahead and in all foreseeable situations.
Using a vehicle
The engine or other equipment of a motor vehicle may not cause excessive noise, air pollution or other harm to passengers, other road users or the environment.
The vehicle must be loaded so that the load cannot cause danger to people, damage property, drag on the ground, fall onto the road, raise disturbing amounts of dust or cause other corresponding harm. Furthermore, the load may not cause unnecessary noise.
Obligation to provide assistance
Every road user must assist injured persons at the scene of an accident according to their abilities and take part in the measures required as a consequence of the accident.