Do not just blame...act...!

Today, another major accident took place on the express highway during the morning rush hours. The traffic was jammed and it gave us time and a chance to talk on increasing number of accidents on express high way until the road was cleared by traffic police. As usual we blamed it on truck drivers, bus drivers, cab drivers and on none other than traffic police department. However we failed yet another time to think what best we can do at individual level and at our collective level to prevent such occasions in the future. We can either collectively implement the basic traffic rules or we may or may not talk the blame once again because today’s victims are the ones who might have been involved in such blame talk yesterday.

Let’s understand basic facts about where accidents occur.

– Most accidents occur within 30-40 kilometers of where we live and work. We become very familiar with the roads, streets and by ways that we travel everyday, we become complacent and careless.

– Our mind has a tendency to wander to daily problems and not on the task of driving. The result - we do not see or are not aware of the dangers that suddenly appear.

– While on trips always drive defensively. We may not be in our 30-40 kilometers radius, but we are in someone else’s.

PRIMARY CAUSES OF ROAD ACCIDENT

Accident theories say that accidents are caused when we tend to increase probabilities of meeting an accident.

(1) Speed

Excessive speed is most crucial determining factor of accidents. We all share unknown common risk of accident while driving within limits however the risk increases many folds when we accelerate excessively.

(2) Carelessness for traffic rules

We care a lot of personal health and professional commitments but this same never get reflected while following traffic rules. We assume them very inconvenient to follow each time and that increases accidental risk.

(3) Drinking and driving

Drinking and driving is known as basic cause of many accidents occurred in the past. Drinking and driving surely hamper your safe driving skills.

(4) Fatigue

Personal and professional lives have become stressful for many, but reflecting this stress and fatigue on driving is very risky to oneself and others on the road.

Large number of accidents involve running off the road at night. Nodding off 2-3 seconds can be dangerous.

WHAT BEST WE CAN DO TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS

• There is no such delay in the life that will cause expensive loss to you than loss of your own valuable life itself. So drive between 40-60 kmph and remember that you have your family back in home.

• Do not feel yourself overconfident on your driving skills handling excessive speed. You may never know sudden happenings. Know your personal limits.

• Do not try overtaking others with causing risk to yourself and others. Remember your taking risk is equal to run risk on others on the road.

• Do not break rules of traffic lanes and observe them precisely. Remember that traffic lane is equal to your life line. When switching lanes on a highway, always turn your head and physically check for a clear lane

• Be very careful when you are close to trucks - Especially when passing on the right hand side

• Do not drive while drunk. It surely hampers your safe driving skills. Never drink and ride motorcycle.

• Do not drive ever with intense emotions. Do not let emotions drive your vehicle. Do not give in to road rage and try to `get even’ with another driver on the road. If someone is tailgating you, open more space and let them pass.

• Do not use headphones or earphones playing music. Do not play loud music while driving and do not get carried with music.

• Do not cross drive through gaps between road divider blocks. Use openings created for the purpose only.

• Do not try always take your vehicle ahead than others. Use common sense that you may tend to cause traffic jam on others.

• Do not forget to wear helmet while riding bike and safety belts while driving behind the wheel.

• Do not drive unconditioned vehicle. Have your vehicle periodically inspected and maintained.

• Do not forget that accident can happen to everyone and everyone has power to prevent accidents.

Transport bus is one of the important transportation means for employees and traffic accidents of these buses have been consecutively seen and blamed for causing major traffic accidents on express highways. We can insist transport providers to improve drive training and education for bus drivers. We immediately can report rash driving to transport coordinators.