Causes Of Overtaking Accident

Overtaking when done wrongly can lead to road traffic accident. Accident caused as a result of overtaking has been known to be very disastrous in terms of injuries and deaths. When a driver attempts to overtake and he does so wrongly, he may come head to head with an on-coming vehicle which can cause them to collide. When such accident occurs the impact is always grievous. Several factors are responsible for overtaking accidents; below are some of them.

• Overtaking too early without checking thoroughly to ensure the road is clear.

• When the vehicle you are about to overtake increases it’s speed or does not want to give way.

• When you do not consider overtaking distance before overtaking especially when overtaking long vehicles.

• Overtaking at wrong conditions or areas such as zebra or pedestrian crossing, narrow roads, slippery roads, etc.

• Overtaking without checking the traffic behind your car. The vehicle behind you may want to overtake your car which can lead to road accident.

• When a vehicle develops mechanical fault during the process of overtaking.

• When a vehicle you are trying to overtake also wants to overtake or change direction. This may be as a result of insufficient signal before overtaking or when the driver is absent minded.

Effects Of Road Traffic Accidents

There are many effects of road traffic accidents. Understanding these effects will help to minimize road traffic accidents. Many drivers underestimate the power of accidents and these makes them drive carelessly and recklessly. Below are some of the effects of road traffic accident.

• Road traffic accident can lead to the loss of lives. And sometimes, those who die during road traffic accident may be the one who solely supports the family. And when this happens the family loses its pillar which can affect them negatively.

• Road traffic accident can cause damage to properties. This may involve vehicles involved in the accident or other properties by the road side hit by the vehicle. 

• Road traffic accident can lead to injuries on the body of the victims. Some of the injuries sustained during road traffic accident can be very severe which can render them incapacitated or may even lead to death.

• Another effect of road traffic accident is the grief and stress suffered by relatives and friends of the decease.

• Road traffic accident can cause one to become incapacitated. Some can be incapacitated for a short time, while others can be incapacitated for life. This can make the driver unable to contribute their quarter to growth of the economy.

• Road traffic accident can also lead to unplanned amount of money being spent on drug, surgery, etc. 

Possible Solutions To Road Traffic Accident

In my last post, I wrote on the causes of road traffic accident. Today I am writing on the possible solutions to road traffic accident. Below are some of the possible solutions to road traffic accident.

The driver of a vehicle in no small way can minimize or reduce road traffic accident on the road. This can be done by driving safely on the road. One way by which drivers can drive safely is by driving defensively to avoid road traffic accident. Other ways drivers can minimize road accident include the following:

• Driver should be tolerable and show less aggression while driving.

• Drivers with medical or health related problems should seek medical  advise from their doctors before driving.

• Drivers should be conversant with road traffic regulations and traffic conditions.

• Drivers should have basic knowledge of their vehicles which help in times of emergencies.

• As a driver, it is important to show courtesy on the road.

• Drivers should not drive under the influence of drugs especially those that are known to cause road accidents.

The present state of a vehicle is also very important at reducing the rate of accident on the road. One mistake owners of vehicle often make is that they wait until a vehicle develops fault before taking the vehicles for repairs. Vehicle should be checked periodically, if the need be give to qualified mechanics for servicing.

The condition of the road can help in reducing or minimizing road accident. The government or organization should ensure that roads are designed to standards. These include designing road with street lights, road signs, lane markings, etc.

The weather conditions is also important in minimizing road traffic accident. Drivers should take into consideration the weather condition of the place he is driving and adjust to those weather conditions. Drivers shold also learn how to drive in different weather situations, this will help to prevent road accidents.

Causes Of Road Traffic Accident

There are several causes of road traffic accident but it can be grouped into four. These are:

• The driver

• The vehicle

• The condition of the road

• Weather condition

• Pedestrians and animals

The driver of the vehicle is the most important cause of road traffic accident. The driver’s attitude is very important, this is because, a driver with a bad road altitude is more likely to cause road accident than a driver with courtesy on the road. The driver of the vehicle is also very important because he has to a great extent control over other causes of road traffic accident.

The current state of a vehicle will definitely influence the rate of road traffic accident. A faulty vehicle is already a menace on the road and can lead to road accident.

The condition of the road can also cause road traffic accident. For example, a road that is riddled with pot holes or roads that is poorly constructed can lead to road traffic accident. Some of these roads are common in the developing countries of the world.

The atmospheric condition of a place can influence the rate of road traffic accident. Weather condition of a place is beyond the control of drivers and cannot itself cause road traffic accident. What causes accident is when the driver drives in bad weather condition without taking precaution measures.

Pedestrians and animals crossing the road may cause road accident. This occurs most when pedestrians cross in places they are not permitted to do so. Road accident by pedestrians is common with children who walk on the streets without proper guidance.

What Causes Dangerous Driving By Drivers

Dangerous driving by drivers is one of the major causes of road traffic accidents all over the world. There are several factors responsible for dangerous driving by drivers. These include:

• The physical condition of the driver
• Having little knowledge of the vehicle
• Having little knowledge of road traffic regulations and traffic conditions
• Non consideration for other road users
• Driving too close to the vehicle ahead
• Driving too fast
• underestimating accident

The physical condition of the driver: Driver with health problems is a potential cause of road traffic accident. For example, it is not advisable for an epileptic patient to drive, but if he/she does not take his/her drug regularly and hits the road it can lead to road accidents. Other health problems like poor eyesight, poor hearing, etc, can also lead to dangerous driving which may lead to road traffic accident.

Having little knowledge of the vehicle: A good driver should have basic knowledge of some vital parts of a vehicle. This will help the driver in times of emergency. This include having basic knowledge of the steering, brake, accelerators, etc, which of course varies from vehicle to vehicle. Failure of the driver to know this intricate parts of the vehicle can cause dangerous driving.

Having little knowledge of road traffic regulations and traffic conditions: Another cause of road traffic accident is failure on the part of some drivers to have basic understanding for road traffic regulations and traffic conditions. For example, a driver with little or no knowledge for road signs is a potential dangerous driver and he/she is not fit drive.

Non consideration for other road users: Dangerous driving can be caused by drivers who have little or no consideration for other road users. Drivers are not the only people that make use of the roads, there are others who also make use of the roads. Some of them include, cyclist, pedestrians, school children, etc. So, a driver who do not consider other road users will definitely drive dangerously.

Driving too close to the vehicle ahead: A driver is expected to give resonable distance between the vehicle he/she is driving and the vehicle ahead. Driving too close to the vehicle ahead is a sign the driver is driving dangerously.

Driving too fast: Driving fast is a sign the driver is driving dangerously. Most drivers drive fast probably because they are in a hurry or just for the fun.

Underestimating accidents: Some drivers tends to underestimate the power of accidents probably because some of them have not experience accidents before. Funny enough, some drivers exempt themselfves from accidents and blame drivers who ad accidents on negligence or inexperience on their part. But, they forget that accident can happen to anyone.

What To Do As A Passenger To Avoid Road Accident

As an occupant or passenger of a vehicle, it is your duty to ensure that driver drives safely. Most passengers do feel they can do little or nothing to avoid road accident. But, they forget that when road accident occurs, they are involved in the carnage. The driver is just one and most times there are many passengers in the vehicle. That is why, if you look at the statistics today, you discover that more passengers have lost their lives in road accident than drivers.

Passengers in a vehicle

What To Do As A Passenger To Avoid Road Accident

Be cautious when discussing with the driver: Allow the driver to concentrate by restraining caution in your discussion with him/her. Sometimes passengers engage driver of a vehicle in a discussion which sometimes leads to heated argument. This causes the driver to lose concentration and which can lead to road accident.

Watch if the driver is over speeding:As an occupant of a vehicle, it is necessary to observe if the driver of the vehicle is over speeding or if he/she has exceeded the speed limits. If you do not know the speed limit or if you are seated in a disadvantaged position, sure you do know when a car is over speeding. If you find out or perceive that the driver is over speeding, don't just sit there and do nothing: tell him/her to reduce the speed. If the driver refuses, then it is advisable to get down from the vehicle at the next available bus stop.

Be Alert: Try as much as you can to be alert when being conveyed in a vehicle. This is very necessary. It is only when you are alert you know when the driver is over speeding or when the driver is being distracted by any means. Also, being alert can reduce the effect of road accident when they occur. This is because a sleeping passenger is more likely to have shock when accident occurs.     

What Is Road Traffic Accident?

Almost every one have witness road traffic accident at one time or the other. For those who have experienced it, concerns have been raised at the carnage. Most of these accidents are caused largely by the indiscipline on the part of the drivers of the vehicles and sometimes the occupants or passengers of the vehicles. All over the world, many people have lost their lives, the lives of their loved ones and family members to road traffic accidents.
Before we dive into the meaning of road traffic accident, lets first of all know or understand the meaning of traffic. Traffic has to do with the movement of people and vehicles along roads, streets or highways.

Meaning Of Road Traffic Accident

Road traffic accident happens when the movement of one or more vehicles cause material damage, injury or death of a person or people. An accident is said to be a road traffic accident when it occurs on the road, streets, footpaths and other places the public access to.

Although road traffic accident is not pre-planned, sure it have causes and knowing these causes can help the driver, passengers, and other road users prevent or reduce road traffic accident. But most of the causes can be prevented by the driver.