‘Road Traffic Accidents’- The Ultimate Life-Taker!

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.google.com.np/search?ei=XqvvXKueINrorQGs6IC4BA&q=nepal++data+deaths+due+to+RTA&oq=nepal++data+deaths+due+to+RTA&gs_l=psy-ab.3…6091.8820..9997…1.0..0.232.1451.0j9j1……0….1..gws-wiz…….0i71j35i39.A2CO1HhhOv4

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Analysis-of-Causes-of-Road-Traffic-Accidents-and-Attendant-Fatalities-Abbreviation-RTA_fig6_231860813

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.researchgate.net/publication/307447154_Road_Traffic_Injuries_Challenges_and_Safety_Measures

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074911/

About Kusum Wagle 214 Articles
Hello and greetings everyone! I am Kusum Wagle, MPH, WHO-TDR Scholar, BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh. I have gained profound experiences in public health sector under different thematic areas of health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, research etc., targeting diverse audience of different age groups. I have performed diverse roles ranging from lecturer in the public health department of colleges, nutrition coordinator, research coordinator and consultant, in different programs, projects and academic institutions of Nepal. I also hold immense experience in working closely and persistently with government organizations, non-government organizations, UN agencies, CSOs and other stakeholders at the national and sub-national level. I have successfully led and coordinated different projects involving multi-sector participation and engagement. Moreover, I am also regularly involved in the development of different national health related programs and its guidelines.