Though they happen quite often, road crashes and
collisions are the most unfortunate and unwanted things that happened to any
individual using roads. The most unfortunate thing is that no drivers learn
from their mistakes even though they are well aware of all the safety measures,
general rules, and the importance of the radar speed signs installed alongside the roads. This laxity
and neglectfulness lead to serious road accidents in which people not only get
seriously injured but in many cases lose their life on the spot.
Human errors are the most common causes behind
almost all road crashes and collisions, and this blog elaborates some of the
most common ones among them:
1.
Drunken
Driving
With the rapidly changing lifestyle of people
around the globe, the consumption of alcohol has increased by leaps and bounds
in the past 20 years. No occasion is celebrated without alcohol consumption.
And, it is alcohol that turns a celebration into misfortune in no time when
people drive their vehicles under the heavy influence of alcohol. Here’s what
happens when an individual drives a vehicle under the influence of alcohol:
●
Concentration is drastically reduced
●
The reaction time of the body is also
significantly decreased
●
Limbs also start taking more time in responding
to what the brain instructs
●
Vision is drastically hampered due to extreme
dizziness and all the electronic
speed signs go unnoticed
●
The feeling of fear is dampened and risk-taking
ability is increased.
All these factors result in fatal road crashes
that claim millions of lives every year across the globe. Experts suggest that
every increase of 5% alcohol concentration in the human blood doubles the
chances of road accidents. Under the influence of alcohol, drivers forget all
the general rules and safety measures including radar speed signs while driving. Apart from alcohol, there are a large number of drugs,
medicines, and intoxicating agents that not only can affect the driving skills
but also the concentration required for safe and sound driving.
2.
Distraction
to Drivers
Distraction to drivers is something that most
people do not even notice or even think can cause serious road crashes and
collisions. Distraction to drivers is of two types – internal and external.
Internal distractions are considered to be more serious than external ones.
Using cellular phones is one of the major sources of internal or in-the-vehicle
distraction.
When people have conversations over mobile
phones while driving, a major portion of their brain gets occupied with the act
of talking, and only a little bit of the brain takes care of the driving
skills. With the main part of the brain taking care of the telephonic
conversation, people driving the vehicles keep neglecting everything on the way
including the radar speed
signs.
This pathetic division of the brain not only
hampers the drivers’ reaction time but also their ability to make the right
judgment, ultimately resulting in so many fatal road crashes and collisions. Playing
radio, listening to songs on the stereo set in a loud sound, watching videos,
and adjusting mirrors again and again, are some of the other human errors or
the causes of distraction to drivers.
3.
Red Light
jumping
Red light jumping is one of the most common
sights on almost all the road intersections across the globe. There is no
dearth of drivers who intentionally do so without caring much for the red light
signal. Such people do the same to the electronic speed signs also. The primary cause behind the red
light jumping lies in the people’s assumption that stopping at red signals is a
sheer waste of time as well as fuel.
On the other hand, various studies have revealed
that when the red light signals and radar
speed signs are followed duly by drivers, not only their safety is ensured,
but the time is also saved. All the red light jumpers are responsible for
various on-read mishaps causing harm to themselves and those sharing the road.
This unlawful act also incites other drivers to do the same, and as a result,
very complex traffic chaos starts taking place at the crossings.
All this also results in jams, and eventually,
all the vehicle owners get incapacitated to reach their destination timely.
What’s more, these red-light jumpers perform the act at the highest possible
speeds ignoring all the safety measures, electronic speed signs, and other general rules that again
create a possibility for accidents.
4.
Avoiding
in-vehicle Safety Gears
Apart from so many other general traffic rules
and regulations, people are also habitual in avoiding in-vehicle safety gear.
These days, wearing a seat belt while driving any four-wheeler, has become
lawfully mandatory in almost all the developed and developing countries.
Wearing a helmet is necessary for those who drive two-wheelers. There is a
provision of heavy penalties for those caught without a seat belt or helmet.
Various studies have revealed that both seat belts and helmets reduce the
seriousness and gravity of the injuries during on-road mishaps.
Studies have also shown that the in-vehicle
safety gears such as helmets and seat belts increase the chances of survival by
50% and keep the drivers safe and intact when they meet any serious road
accident. There has been a substantial reduction in the death percentage of
two-wheeler drivers after road traffic authorities have made wearing a helmet
mandatory. Therefore, all vehicle owners must be particular about using all the
in-vehicle safety gears as per the prescribed standard apart from being mindful
of the electronic speed signs installed
alongside the roads.
Concluding
Remarks
All the human errors described in this post are 100% avoidable and
preventable. Our behavior, notions, and assumptions play a very decisive role
in making us not only safe but also socially responsible. Be it over-speeding,
rash driving, consumption of alcohol, violation of rules, or failure to
understand electronic speed signs,
all are avoidable and within our control. Therefore, by being a little bit more
socially responsible and careful towards our safety, together all of us can
make roads a better place.
