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.

Should Drivers Overtake At Night?

Driving at night generally is hazardous due to poor visibility. Drivers driving at night can overtake, but they should do so with extra care so as to avoid road traffic accident.
It is not easy as a driver driving at night to determine the speed at which the oncoming vehicle is travelling, this makes it difficult for the driver to take decision on whether to overtake or not.
However, the beam of light from the oncoming vehicle can help the driver determine the distance of the vehicle and judge if it is safe to overtake or not.
Overtaking at night is easier in areas with street lights. These street lights help to increase visibility and make overtaking easier. However, you must be thorough sure the road is clear and safe before overtaking.

Courtesy On The Road For Drivers Of Heavy Vehicles

Every driver is expected to show good manners when driving with other road users on the road. This will save them from all the shouting, fighting and accident that would have occurred as a result of bad manners on the road. Drivers of heavy vehicles can show good manners and be considerate while driving by following the tips below.

• Do not intimidate other road users or drivers on the road with the size of your vehicle by making them go off the road for safety.

• Give way to vehicles that are faster especially smaller vehicles. This will ensure free flow of traffic.

• Drive fairly and be considerate. Because accident has relatively little effect on your vehicle is not a yardstick to start misbehaving or driving recklessly without consideration to other road users.

• If there is a traffic builds up behind your vehicle, it is advisable to slow down and move to the right as much as possible.

Common Bad Driving Habits

Drivers of vehicle are required to be fully alert and concentrated when driving. However, there are habits which a driver may posses that can make him lose concentration which may lead to road traffic accident. The following are some of them.

• Looking backward by turning the head

• Romancing while driving

• Eating and drinking while driving

• Reading while driving

• Driving with one arm

• Discussing with passengers while driving and turning to look at them during discussion.

• Engaging the passengers of a vehicle in hot argument while driving

• Playing very loud music while driving

• Dancing while driving

• Changing cassettes or CD while driving

• Playing with pets, children or adults at the rear seats, etc.

Drivers with any of these habits should desist from them as they can lead to road accident. 

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.