'Road Traffic Accidents'- The Ultimate Life-Taker!

Table of Contents

What are Road Traffic Accidents (RTA)?

A road traffic accident refers to an accident involving vehicles, taking place on a road open to public circulation.
It is an accident originating from, terminating with or involving a vehicle partially or fully on a public road.
The definition of a road traffic accident occurs when a vehicle that is moving along a roadway collides with another vehicle/object/pedestrian.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), the rates of road traffic death are highest in Africa i.e. (26.6/100,000 people) and South-East Asia i.e. (20.7/100,000 people).
Road traffic injuries are now the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years globally.
The number of deaths on the world’s roads remains unacceptably high, with an estimated 1.35 million people dying each year.

There has been no reduction in the number of road traffic deaths in any low-income country since 2013.
More than half of all road traffic deaths are among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Different studies have found the following things as major factors contributing to RTA:

More number of passengers in the vehicle than its ultimate capacity
Travelling on the roof of the bus
Overconfidence, especially in teenagers
Absence of proper management of stray dogs and animals especially domestic animals on the roads
Feeling of superiority
Bribery system in license examination
Negligence

There are 4 E’s for road safety and accident prevention. They are:

1. Education

2. Enforcement

3. Engineering

4. Environment and emergency care for road accident victims

Follow traffic rules and regulations
Control speed limits
Maintain proper distance with other vehicles
Check the condition of vehicles at regular intervals
Ensure effective surveillance system in highway roads to monitor speed limit and follow of rules and regulations
Ensure clear lane and pathways for vehicles.
Confirm proper road signs and lighting system
Ensure safe pedestrian street/passage
Provide counseling by parents to their children regarding road traffic accident causes and consequences.
Use night vision jackets (for the pedestrians) during nighttime for visibility
Do not use mobiles while driving and riding
Stay focused
Avoid construction areas and pit holes on the road while driving
Avoid driving during bad weather conditions.
Mandatorily use seat belts (both driver and passenger) while driving
Mandatorily use helmets by both the riders in a motorbike
Avoid overtaking in crowded roads