Road Safety Essay

"Road Safety" today is one of the biggest public health concerns across the world. Many people lose lives as a result of accidents on the roads, and the timer is constantly ticking. "Road safety" cannot be neglected as it is an important contributing factor in a nation's growth. This issue affects all kinds of road users, including motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, etc., as well as illegal roadside vendors and people who encroach on the road. In this essay, the issue of road safety will be discussed further.

What Exactly Does "Road Safety" Mean?

"Road Safety" refers to the safety of people while using the roads. There are clearly defined regulations and guidelines to follow when using the streets, and it's required for all road users to follow them in order to ensure a safe and secure journey. These "Road Safety Rules" have been formulated by the governments of the respective countries to protect everyone who travels on the roads. Sign boards, traffic signals, security cameras, dividers pedestrian paths are a few of the instruments used to ensure road safety.

Road Safety Concerns- Global Statistics

Global statistics regarding Road Safety reveal significant variations in a country due to its population, economic condition, economy, and overall public consciousness. The developed nations have safer roads through an extensive system of roads and other measures. In contrast, the road safety situation is bleak in countries that are developing or underdeveloped.

Statistics show that about 1.5 million deaths occur each year worldwide from road accidents; over 90% of these are in underdeveloped and developing countries. The majority of the number is comprised of road users who are vulnerable, such as cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists.

Neglecting road safety can cause deaths of children and teens more than any other reason. This isn't all the case - between 20 and 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries that often result in permanent disabilities.

Importance of Road Safety

The significance of Road Safety has to be taken into consideration in order to ensure that the goals of sustainable development are fulfilled. An accident that kills someone can cause emotional trauma, not just for the person who was injured, however, but also for their loved ones and dependents. In contrast, the majority of accidents cost almost all nations an average of 3% of their GDP (GDP).

If a victim of a deadly accident is fortunate to live, even then, there is a possibility that they may suffer from some kind of disability. Therefore, a road accident can be a burden on the financial resources of the victim's family, in addition to the emotional trauma for family members. Safety on the road is essential for the protection of all people, including humans and other living things. Numerous environmental factors affect safety on roads.

In the case of rains or excessive fog, or smog, the driver's visibility is impeded. This can lead to both traffic jams and accidents. There are also other elements like rain that can cause hydroplaning.

In this scenario, vehicles traveling at high speeds begin to slide in a flurry when the tires lift off the ground due to an extremely thin layer of water that is present along the roads.

But road safety regulations can allow us to avoid any of these dangers. If people adhere to the rules of the road and keep their vehicles in good condition, then many fatalities and injuries can be avoided.

The most important thing is essential to follow the established speed limitations. It is also recommended not to use mobile phones while driving. Safety on the road is of paramount importance to ensure that everyone stays in good health.

Therefore, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure road safety. Making sure that roads are safe is essential and should be a top priority of both the government and individuals.

Some Important Road Safety Rules

1. Always drive or ride on the left side of the road and let other vehicles overtake you from the right side.
2. Always overtake from the right side.
3. When being overtaken by another vehicle, never increase your speed to prevent the other driver from overtaking you.
4. Always give way to the emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire engines.
5. Please make sure not to stop at the zebra crossing but before it so that pedestrians can cross the road conveniently.
   
6. Use indicators whenever you're planning to take a turn.
7. Park your vehicle only where there is a designated parking space.
8. Your vehicle's registration plate should be visible at all times.
9. Follow the direction on one-way roads. Don't go in the wrong direction.
10. Traffic Lights and Signs should always be obeyed both by drivers and pedestrians.
11. Do not drive at more than 25 km/hr when you pass a procession, meeting, strike, or march.
12. Always carry essential documents like a driving license, Registration certificate, Insurance certificate, etc.
13. Follow the speed limit mentioned on the roads.

Factors That Compromise Road Safety and Counter Measures

There are a variety of factors that affect road security. Driving behavior, indifference to traffic laws; unruly behavior or negligence; road rage is just some of the most significant factors that affect road safety. In this article, we will look at some of the major factors that lead to road accidents.

1) User's Behavior

A road is utilized by various users, including cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and motorists. A reckless driver endangers not only his life but also the lives of others. Drivers who stray from an intersection, whether habitually or in a moment of recklessness, may cause death or injury to pedestrians or drivers. Even a reckless pedestrian could cause harm to himself and other pedestrians. Unruly behavior should be handled with care to prevent it from happening again. Inflicting hefty fines on drivers who jump signals and other similar violations can decrease the number of road accidents. Each individual should be made aware of the road rules and be asked to follow them.

2) Unauthorized/Adolescent Drivers

The lack of experience in driving is the main reason behind the deaths of kids and teens of the age group of 15-25. In developing and underdeveloped countries, licenses are granted to kids who are younger than the permissible age limit, in violation of laws. Drivers who are unauthorized and adolescents are generally disruptive and risk not just their lives but also the lives of others. Teenagers tend to cross the speed limits and break traffic laws in the name of pleasure and false praises. Make sure that kids around you understand that driving before the legal age is not just an offense, but it is dangerous as well. Make sure that any driver under the age of 18 is reported to the police.

3) Drunk Driving

Drunk driving has claimed millions of lives across the globe. Middle and low-income countries are the most affected. Alcohol affects a driver's attitude as well as his capacity to make decisions. Drivers who are drunk tend to become more unruly and uncontrolled when driving, putting lives at risk. Even pedestrians who drink are at risk of threatening their safety as well as the safety of others. Stricter laws and a rule of zero tolerance for drunk driving must be implemented in order to make roads safer.

4) Avoiding Safety Gears

Not wearing helmets and safety belts result in the greatest number of causalities in road accidents. Many people either forget to wear safety gear or deliberately do this without realizing it could make a difference in life and death. Over 90% of the deaths from road accidents result from not wearing safety equipment such as a seat belt or helmet. Safety gear for vehicles is essential for road safety and should be worn at all times. It is essential to increase awareness of the necessity of safety equipment and its importance in saving lives. In metro cities, the laws are strict, and fines are imposed on people not wearing safety equipment. However, in small cities and rural areas, the rules are slack, and therefore, the chances of fatal accidents are higher.

5) Poor Infrastructure

Insufficient infrastructure is often the cause of road accidents and is one of the main factors that affect road security. These numbers are higher in developing and underdeveloped nations. Roads that aren't finished, roadside construction, unfinished pavements, and insufficient foot-over bridges are just some of the infrastructural problems that contribute to road accidents. The relevant authorities must take measures to speed up the completion of any unfinished construction work, which is affecting traffic safety for road motorists. Road signs and proper lighting are required on construction sites in order to prevent any accidents.

How to Prevent Accidents On The Road

Everyone must complete a driving class under the guidance of an instructor who is certified or learn from an expert driver before taking their vehicles on the roads. Road safety rules should be included in the school curriculum to ensure that students have full knowledge of traffic laws. Most road accidents happen due to insufficient knowledge of operating vehicles as well as a lack of road safety precautions.

Older vehicles that are used on the road can lead to accidents, which is why it is crucial to have the vehicle tested for fitness regularly. Regular and prompt maintenance of vehicles can also help reduce accidents on the road. Drivers should inspect their cars every day prior to beginning any journey, and if any problem is discovered, it should be fixed immediately. Stricter laws should be made for the cases of drunk driving and also for those who are found using mobile phones while driving. Lastly, everyone must obey the traffic rules and drive with patience and alertness.

Conclusion

The safety of roads and highways is a worldwide public health concern that the relevant authorities must take care of. Every year, more than 1.5 lakh people lose their lives to road accidents in India. Governments in charge must adopt the appropriate policies and administrative measures to ensure and increase safety on roads. Improved infrastructure for roads that have adequate lighting should be made available in order to guarantee safety. Most importantly, it is essential for us to think regarding our own safety and conduct when using the roads.