Road Accident Essay

Road accident is a significant cause of concern in society. It destroys families and takes precious lives. People become disabled, lose their lives, and get hospitalized and injured. National Crime Records Bureau reports that 1.55 lakh precious lives were lost in road accidents, i.e., 18 persons/hour and 426 daily. The number of people injured due to road crashes stands at 4.03 lakh, as reported by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) information collected under "Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India- 2021 head. NCRB works under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. These statistics are heartbreaking, dreadful, and worrisome. The implementation of traffic rules by the Transport Department of the Government has often been found half-hearted and ineffective. It needs to be stopped. Road accidents have become an urgent public health issue. Stringent enforcement of traffic rules, awareness programs, and usage of the scientific and latest technology are required measures to stop this problem.

Motorization has eased the life of people and society. It has made the transportation of people and goods smoother and easier. Loss of lives due to road accident in developed countries (high-income countries) have shown a downward trend, but a load of road accident-related injury is rising. Deaths and injury are two main challenges for developing countries. No day passes when we read in the newspaper about road-related deaths. Sometimes whole family member gets wiped out due to an accident. People who are killed in road accidents are at the most productive age. Suppose the victim has a poor economic background. In that case, he has to bear a load of fatalities and injuries as they are passengers of buses and mini-buses, pedestrians, and cyclists.

The statistics are frightening and alarming. Statistics in the Parliament for 2008 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for fatal accidents highlight that 119,860 died, and state and national highways account for nearly the majority of the accident. Loss of lives due to road accidents in 2009 accounted for 126,896 in 2009, and it saw an increase in 2010 by 133,938. Some states known for major road accident deaths are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.

India Tops the Global Ranking List for Road Accidents and Fatalities

• India has just 1% of the world's vehicles, but it accounts for 10% of road injuries.
• The US has a population of close to 300 million and more than 250 million vehicles, but the loss of lives per 10,000 vehicles is 1.6, whereas, in India, the data that is called road fatality rate is 14.
• The road fatality rate in China is five, and has twice as many vehicles as in India. China has witnessed an enormous decline in the statistics, whereas India is witnessing a rising trend.
• India has infamous for topping the list for road accidents as India reports that 1.3 lakh people lose their lives in a road collision.
• The problem is exacerbateddue to the pathetic implementation of traffic rules and guidelines and the short-sighted policy framework from our policy decision maker.

Trends in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, in 2007 reported 12,036 road accidents deaths out of 59,140 deaths. In the same period, Chennai reported 7570 accidents in which 1146 people died. It becomes evident that Tamil Nadu is topping the list for the majority number of road accident cases in India. Tamil Nadu accounts for 15.1% of total accidents that occurs in India. Chennai city has witnessed some brutal accidents in Tamil Nadu and is infamous for road crashes. Statistics say that 35 people lose their lives on the roads of Tamil Nadu and whereas, in Chennai, two people die every day due to road accidents.

Supporting Factors

Road crashes occur due to speedy and reckless driving, blatantly disobeying traffic norms, and the attitude of the mighty vehicle toward tiny vehicles, heavily-burdened or beyond capacity hauling of public and transport vehicles, driver fatigue, drunk driving, and poor maintenance of vehicles. The appalling situation of choked roads with every land encroaching by the people is very disturbing.

Human Element in the Road Crashes

Human factor significantly supplements road accidents in India. Disobeying traffic norms, drunken driving, reckless driving, and over-speeding are some of the main causes of road mishaps. Many drivers do rash driving, and error in judgment leads to fatal accidents.

Drunken Driving

Drink and Drive is one of the significant factors in road accidents. Data shows that most of the road mishaps that have occurred on highways have happened due to drunken driving. Due to drunken driving, 20 million road accident-related injuries and 480,000 deaths yearly at the world scale level. In the developed nation (high-income countries), it is found that 20% of severely injured drivers have the presence of excess alcohol in the blood, whereas, in the developing country like India, data shows that drivers that and in between 8% and 29% of non-fatal injured drivers and between 33% and 69% of severely injured drivers have taken alcohol before the crash.

Drunken driving has become customary in private and commercial vehicles in India. Youngsters and Private car owners have the major element in this game. Tiny bars that have popped up along the highways are an immense cause of concern. The government has passed a law to check drunken driving but its effectiveness and implementation are a matter of debate. 28% of the road accidents in Bangalore involve young males over 15 who have been found in a drunken state. 70% of road mishaps in cities like Mumbai and Delhi are due to drunken driving.

Driver Fatigue

The rising accident due to careless behaviour is an immense cause for concern. It is a very precarious situation in which the driver is extremely tired. It produces a hypnotic effect, especially at night, or the driver falls asleep while driving at night, resulting in a dangerous accident. A driver should remain vigilant while driving their vehicle. Data projects that 20% of road crashes or 1/4th of accidents occur due to a less vigilant attitude of the driver. Sleepy drivers do not undertake corrective measures before taking the vehicle on the road. It is the need of the hour to take preventive and corrective measures to deal with the problem on a priority basis. After realizing that the Public Health Issue is a serious challenge and is taking place globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched the theme "Road Safety is No Accidents" to describe the urgency of the problem and the need to tackle this menace on a priority basis.

A Public Health Issue

For one who gets killed, disabled, or injured due to Road accidents, countless people are immensely affected by the cost of long-term medical expenditure or extra care required who has a disability. If the present stats continue, the number of persons affected will increase.

Facts About Road Accidents

• Road Accidents disable or injure close to 20 million to 50 million people.
• Road Accidents stand at 11 positions as the leading cause of death among the aged 5-29.
• Pedestrians, two-wheeler, passengers, and cyclists are more vulnerable to road accidents.
• Road accident is on the verge of becoming a significant contributor to the world's disease burden by 2020.
• In road accidents, more than half of deaths occur between the ages of 15-44. These are young adults who, unfortunately, get killed in accidents.
• 2.1 % of worldwide deaths happen due to road accidents, and Road crashes are the 11th leading cause of death.
• It is estimated that Road Accidents will rise by 83% in low-income countries and down by 27% in developed countries.

Preventive Measures

Deaths due to road accidents are manageable, preventable, and avoidable. Effective, doable, and enforceable road safety guidelines are present in the system. We must look at the interaction between road infrastructure, road users, and vehicles to identify the best possible solutions.

Vehicles

• Highly polluting and old vehicles should be removed from the transport ecosystem in aphased manner.
• Vehicles should be mandatorily equipped withseat beltsand other safety equipment.
• Properly maintained vehicles have lighting tires, good breaks, less likely to do accidents.

Road Conditions

• The junctions between roads should be wide and equipped with lighting to produce good visibility.
• Well-maintained footpaths for pedestrians and proper pedestrian crossings at intersections.
• Separate lanes for fast-moving and slow-moving vehicles.
• Properly maintained roads with sufficient road safety signs.

Human Solutions

• Different categories of drivers should possess the minimum qualifications, be well trained, and have a valid driving license.
• Sensitization of traffic rules to the driver is needed.
• The general public must be sensitized to the importance of carrying first aid and should be aware of traffic education and health education to reduce the number of accidents.
• Drivers have an important role in preventing accidents. A careful and wise driver's decision may help save someone's life.
• Drivers must undergo periodic health check-ups, especially for hearing and vision. It helps them to understand and perceive traffic signals more clearly.
• The driver should avoid indiscriminate honking except in emergency cases.
• A special anti-encroachment drive should be carried out on the road to remove illegal vendors that have encroached on the road.

Legislation

• Stringent and heavy fines should be imposed on traffic rules violators.
• Proper enforcement of traffic rules on the road by the concerned agencies.
• Traffic police must ensure people should wear helmets for two vehicles and seat belts for four-wheeler vehicles.

Approach Toward Accident Victims

• Medical aid and first aid facilities should be ensured on national highways.
• Provision of trained health personnel and ambulances in transporting and shifting the injured person to the nearest hospital for treatment.
• Awareness programs must be organized for all to treat accident victims with compassion and sympathy without fear of police and legal cases. Many accidents die because they do not reach the hospital correctly.
• The significance of the "golden hour" is providing adequate medical treatment to an injured accident victim at the correct time.

Significance of First Aid Box in the Road Accidents

It has been seen that minor injuries can be treated with the help of first aid without going to the hospital. Many casualties can be treated on the spot, and the impact of injuries can be minimized. The basic idea behind first aid is:

• To save the life
• To shield the casualty from getting more harm
• To minimize pain and priority of casualty treatment

Immediate Requirements during Road Accidents situation are as follows:

The Golden Hour

Golden Hour is the first hour after the trauma. If necessary medical aid or first aid is provided to the victim, it increases the chances of survival, and the severity of injuries could be minimized.

Critical 4 Min

It has been observed that in a road accident, many deaths occur due to loss of supply oxygen supply. It happens due to blocked airways, and blocked airway cause deaths in 4 minutes.

Multidisciplinary Approach Method in Road Traffic Accidents

World Health Organisation (WHO) Road Safety

Private Companies, Civil societies, governments, and the International Organisation of more than 100 nations came out with the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. On 11 May, this program was introduced to reduce the number of accidents. Heads of the state and government committed to the international forum to defend the lives of 5 million people over ten years. India is also a committed partner in this program.

Road Safety Week is held in January every year across the nation. This event endeavours to highlight and stress the need for safer roads. Effective mass participation is a key mantra in reducing the number of accidents. It is the responsibility of everyone to make our roads safer, and the focus should be on making journeys safe. Special steps are needed for the vulnerable groups: pedestrians (70% in the urban area) and passengers (traveling in trucks, buses, and mini-buses). These are the people who are most affected due to road accidents. Addressing the challenge these category face requires a multi-policy approach. There is a need for Road Safety education, which should be taught to the frequent commuter who commutes daily on the road with sufficient signboards and notices on the road.

The National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board Bill, 2010

The bill aims to found a National Road Safety and Traffic Board for regulating and developing traffic management systems, road safety, and standards in highway design and construction. Board functions include the construction and maintenance of national highways, the recommendation for minimum design and minimum standards for trauma and paramedical facilities for traffic-related injuries on the national highways, monitoring compliance with the standards notified by the Government of India, and conducting safety audits.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has always tried to bring the National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board bill with renewed vigor in Parliament. The legislation was brought in 2010 and aimed to establish separate state and national boards to tackle road safety challenges, including promotional activities and coordination among different agencies on the road safety front. The bill also made recommendations to incorporate minimum standards for the production of mechanically propelled vehicles and suggest minimum safety conditions, for example, bearing and capacity limits, specification of maximum load, and proposing guidelines for vehicular traffic on the national highways, roping non-government organizations in the road safety awareness campaign, catering special needs of the senior citizen, women and children, researching management and road safety. The Parliamentary Standing committee rejected this bill with stringing critique two years later.

Cabinet Cleared Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2007

The Parliament cleared Motor Vehicle Act, receiving a green signal from the Union Cabinet that sought to increase the power of traffic enforcement agencies across the country. It also made a uniform code of stringent traffic rules. It increased penalties, which might act as a deterrent for traffic violators, and significantly reduced the number of accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Road Accident

Ques: What should be the first step after a car accident?

Ans: The step you should take after a car accident is:

1. Give medical attention if someone requires it.
2. Click pictures of the broken or damaged vehicle debris and location of skid marks, the position of the vehicles, and any things related to the accident.
3. Use the first aid box to heal the injured part.
4. Call the ambulance in case of grievous injury.

Ques: What are the main reasons for road accidents?

Ans: Some of the major factors which contribute to road accidents are:

• Exceeding the speed limit
• Inattentive while driving the vehicle
• Loss of control
• Poor turning
• Drunk and Drive

Ques: Is it true that young drivers commit most accidents?

Ans: Yes, it is true. Young drivers aged between 17-24 have a high potential and casualty rate given the distance traveled compared to all car drivers.

Ques: Enlist the documents a driver should carry when driving.

Ans:

• Fitness permit and Certificate
• Taxation Certificate
• Insurance Certificate
• Registration Certificate/ Driving Licence
• Emission Test Certificate

Ques: How much penalty is imposed if someone drives a car without a license?

Ans: The penalty imposed for such an act is Rs 300.

Ques: Enlist the four Es to prevent Road accidents.

Ans: The four Es for preventing the road accident are:

• Enforcement
• Emergency Care of the Victims of the Road Accidents
• Education
• Engineering

Ques: When was the National Safety Policy formed?

Ans: The National Safety Policy was formed in February 2009.

Ques: What are road safety rules for the car?

Ans: Some of the basic and important road safety rules are:

• Never Jump a Signal
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Avoid distractions
• Never Drink and Drive
• Respect the speed limit

Ques: Why does Road Accident happen?

Ans: Some of the potential causes of road accidents are:

• Lack of enforcement of traffic rules
• Poor Condition of the roads
• Lack of emergency services
• Negligence of civilians

Ques: List the three types of traffic signs

Ans: Three types of signs are: Guide, Regulatory, and Warning

Ques: What methods have been adopted for road safety education to various road users?

Ans: Some of the unique methods adopted by the Traffic police to impart road safety education are:

• Exhibitions
• Interactive/ Lecture session
• Road Safety Workshops
• Road Safety march/rallies
• Fixing Reflexive tapes on cycles
• Distribution of Road Safety literature
• On-road campaign carrying placards and banners
• Competition based on road safety like Nukkar Natak, essay, debate, innovation with waste material, slogan writing, etc.