The most terrible accident you have ever experience
According to wikipedia, accident is an unplanned event that sometimes has inconvenient, undesirable or disastrous consequences.
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Road accident is the major source of accident worldwide, they happen quite often especially in underdeveloped and developing countries mainly due to poor road network. Its also frequent in the developed nations, chiefly due to reckless driving and drink-driving.
About 93% of world's fatality on roads occurs in low and middle income countries, even though this countries have approximately 60% of the world's vehicles.
KEY FACTS ABOUT ROAD ACCIDENTS
• According to the world health organisation(WHO), Approximately 1.3million people die each year as a result of road accidents. Though the united nations general assembly has set an ambitious target of halving this number by 2030.
• More than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrian, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
• Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29years
MAJOR CAUSES OF ROAD ACCIDENT
• OVER SPEEDING
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an increase in average speed is directly related both to the likelihood of a crash occuring and to the severity of the consequence of the crash. Example 1% increase in mean speed produces a 4% increase in the fatal crash risk.
• DRINK DRIVING
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this is driving under the influence of alcohol or any psychoactive substance. In this case, the risk of a road accident starts at a low levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and increases significantly when the BAC is greater than 0.04g/dl.
• DISTRACTED DRIVING
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there are many types of distractions that can lead to impaired driving. The distraction caused by mobile phones is a growing concern for road safety. Drivers using mobile phones are probably more likely to be involved in a car crash.
Other causes of road accident include ;
• unsafe road infrastructure
• non use of motorcycle helmets seatbelts and child restraints.
• inadequate law enforcement of traffic laws etc.
HOW CAN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT BE AVOIDED
• government needs to take action to address road safety in an holistic manner. This requires involvement from all sectors which include transport, police, health, education and actions that address the safety of road vehicles and road users.
• the government also needs to collaborate with vehicle manufacturing companies to improve the safety features of vehicles
• adequate measures should be taken to ensure strict compliance with the traffic rules
• There should be proper education regarding the road signs and symbols to both the drivers and the pedestrians
• the world health organisation also needs to provide technical support to countries by collaborating with other agency if need be and also increase the advocacy for road safety.
REFERENCES
• Indian express: PTI, new dehli, 06-05-2020, 11:18:47pm
• WHO global annual status report on road safety 2018
•Julie anderson ; sage publications encycopedia of disability (2006)
•jhtransport.gov.in
•wikepedia