Monday, December 19, 2011

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.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

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.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Should You Drive Properly Or Defensively?

In my last post, I wrote on how to drive defensively. You can check it out to know what defensive driving entails.
In driving properly, the driver assumes that all other road users adhered strictly to road traffic rules and regulations.
The question now is should drivers drive ‘properly’ or ‘defensively’?
In a community where people adhere strictly to road traffic rules and regulations, driving properly would be adopted by the driver. But, we all know that this situation is difficult and may be impossible to achieve all the time because different kinds of people are found on the road. Some of them are absent minded, aggressive, dangerous, inexperience, under the influence of drug, etc.
So, if you must protect yourself from road traffic accident not necessary caused by you but by other road users, it is necessary to drive defensively. Driving defensively will save lots of lives and will help to avoid a situation where your safety depends solely on the response of other road users.
I am not trying to insinuate that driving properly is not alright or accepted; of course all drivers are expected to drive properly. But, driving properly alone will not protect you from road traffic accident. You must combine driving properly with defensively driving.  

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

How To Drive Defensively

To avoid road traffic accident, it is advisable for drivers to drive defensively. Driving defensively entails that a driver should consider other road users as a threat or potential hazard to them. This becomes necessary because a driver, there is little or nothing you can do to change the driving pattern of other drivers as well as the movement of other road users. Bu, you can do much by ensuring that the road is very safe to use by making sure that your safety does not depend on other road users. The following are ways to drive defensively.
  • To drive defensively, you must be conversant with road traffic regulations. Be able to interpret road signs.
  • You must be fully alert when driving or cultivate alertness on the road.
  • You must be aware of possible anger on the road and must learn how to avoid them when they occur.
  • You must be able to understand the vehicle and be able to drive the vehicle skillfully both at emergencies and normal conditions/situations.
  • Do not stand your ground all the time even in if you are right. So, give right of way to others when it is safe to do so even in situations where they are wrong.
  • You should anticipate correctly and act where necessary.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Common Distractions While Driving

For a driver to drive safely, to his/her destination he/she should try to have full concentration when driving on the road. In as much as drivers try to have concentration while driving, there are distractions here and there that seem to take the driver’s attention. The following are common distractions experienced by drivers.

Making or receiving calls while driving can lead to road accident because your attention can be taking from the road and diverted to the calls you are making or receiving. As a driver, it is advisable to stop your vehicle before making or receiving calls.

Discussing with passengers: Although, talking with passengers while driving is not bad. But doing it too much is bad and it can lead to traffic accident. It is common to find some drivers engaging their passengers in heated argument while driving.

Dancing while driving

Changing cassettes or CD or tuning to radio stations while driving.

Playing very loud music while driving

Distracted by listening to music: Playing or listening to music is not bad when driving, but, when you put your mind on the music instead of the vehicle you are driving can cause distraction which can lead to road accident.
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