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.
Global Data on Deaths Due to RTA:
- 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.
Major Reasons of RTA:
- Overtake from the opposite site
- Over speeding
- Unfocussed driving
- Drink and driving
- Driving under the influence of narcotic drugs or weed
- Reckless driving
- Rain
- Poor road conditions
- Lack of strict traffic rules
- Ignorance by the drive and pedestrians to follow traffic rules.
- Teenage drivers and riders.
Factors Contributing to RTA:
Different studies have found the following things as major factors contributing to RTA:
- Sleepiness
- Alcohol intake
- Over speeding
- Carelessness while crossing roads
- Playing on road
- Fatigue
- Distracted driving, caused by phones, hoarding boards etc.
- Poor road lights
- Lack of proper use of seat belts and helmets
- 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
Preventive measures for RTA:
There are 4 E’s for road safety and accident prevention. They are:
1. Education
- Road safety education is must for both the drivers and pedestrians
- Information on the use of the road for pedestrians, motorists is crucial
- Education through electronic media and web site for the drivers and pedestrians
2. Enforcement
- Strict enforcement and implementation laws on road safety.
3. Engineering
- Construction of safe roads, overhead bridges, fly-over, U-turns
- Installation of signboards
- Proper marking of lanes
4. Environment and emergency care for road accident victims
Additionally, other preventive measures for ensuring road safety are as follows:
- 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
Challenges for preventing RTA:
- Lack of a system approach to RTA prevention
- Poor transportation system
- Organizational coordination
- Lack of political support
- Geographical barriers
- Lack of road safety education and awareness, especially in rural areas
- Poor road conditions
- Weather conditions
- Overcrowded areas and narrow roads
References and For More Information:
https://www.stat.fi/meta/kas/tieliikenneonne_en.html
https://www.yourdictionary.com/road-traffic-accident
https://www.idealismprevails.at/en/road-traffic-injuries-in-nepal/
https://www.insee.fr/en/metadonnees/definition/c1116
https://www.who.int/gho/road_safety/mortality/en/
https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2018/GSRRS2018_Summary_EN.pdf
https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/nepal-road-traffic-accidents
https://www.strongtieinsurance.com/common-reasons-road-accidents/
https://www.caraccidentaid.com/road-traffic-accidents-prevention/
http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=72469
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2811114/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074911/