It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced driver,
professional driver, or just a beginner, following the traffic rules is
necessary for everyone. The primary motive behind setting standard traffic laws
in all parts of the world is to ensure the on-road safety of everyone including
drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and the smooth and well-managed functioning
of the traffic. Obeying traffic rules and following variable
message signs are two simplest yet most overlooked actions.
Even the slightest effort on the driver’s part such as taking a
turn suddenly without lighting up the indicator, and following the vehicle in
front very closely can prove to be very dangerous for both the drivers and the
passengers sitting inside the vehicle. This blog sheds light on some of the
most common on-road wrongdoings avoiding which, you as a driver, not only can
ensure your own safety but also save the lives of those sharing the road with
you.
Improve your on-road
behavior
Currently, the number of deaths caused by road crashes is very
high across the world, and especially in developing countries. A large
percentage of these unfortunate and untimely deaths result from the negligence
of the drivers who are habitual to breaking the traffic rules. Governments
across the world have also taken a hard stand on such issues and tightened
their grip by modifying various existing traffic laws including the imposition
of heavy fines and penalties on those who disobey the traffic rules.
Traffic authorities are of the view that some of the wrongdoings
such as disobeying the variable
message signs, overtaking the vehicle in front illogically, and taking a
turn suddenly without any signaling are habitual actions only and all of them
can be overcome with only a little effort. This way, you will not only be
reducing the number of accidents but also making the road a safer place for all
others.
Avoid tailgating the vehicle
in front of you
Tailgating is one of the most significant reasons behind a large
number of road accidents. In such kinds of incidents, the person driving too
close to the vehicle in front is considered to be responsible for the mishap.
As a driver, you must maintain a distance of at least 20 meters from the
vehicle running in front of you. An experienced driver can easily calculate the
distance as well as the running time between his vehicle and the vehicle
running in front of him.
You must remember that the solution to tailgating comes only
from your common sense and expertise in driving. The solar-powered speed sign installed alongside the road sends a
speed alert only when you and other drivers cross the permitted speed limit.
So, when it comes to tailgating, everything happens at your discretion.
Always be mindful of the
speed signs
Variable message signs, radar speed signs, or solar-powered speed signs have
proven to be very effective and efficient in preventing road crashes and
collisions on the road networks across the globe. They are electricity-run or
solar-powered devices that are installed alongside the road to alert drivers as
and when they go beyond the legally permitted speed limit on a particular road,
highway, or carriageway. While driving your vehicle, you must be very mindful
of what these speed signs are instructing or displaying on their ultra-bright
screen.
By obeying the instructions of these speed signs, you will be
contributing hugely not only to the better management of traffic but also
ensuring your safety along with those who are inside the vehicle and also those
sharing the road with you.
Maintaining your vehicle
properly is also a part of road safety
There is a very close relation between well-maintained vehicles
and road crashes. Traffic authorities reveal that minor flaws in vehicles
become the cause of various fatal road crashes. The unmaintained vehicles
always result in sudden operational failures, breakdowns, and other mishaps
that can be avoided with a little bit of awareness. Therefore, before moving
out, you need to make sure that all the front and rear indicators, turning
signals, and braking signals are working properly in your vehicle.
So many times it happens that a sudden turn taken by a driver
without signaling creates a trail of road collisions. In the same way, if the
dippers of your vehicle are not working properly at night, then other vehicles
can collide with you at any moment. These signal indicators through certain
lights help communicate your intended actions while making other people
prepared for the situation accordingly.
Apart from it, maintaining your vehicle properly also saves you
a lot of time and money. When your vehicle goes to the service station after
meeting a crash just because its rear indicators were not working properly, it
will burn a hole in your pocket. So, it is always better to get the indicator
repaired than the entire vehicle after a crash.
Don’t expect others will
follow the traffic rules
Be it following a red light on the crossings or taking into
notice the instructions of a solar powered
speed sign, as a driver you should not have expectations from others at
all. Many road crashes and collisions take place just because you expect others
to follow the traffic rules. For example, if you are just tailgating a vehicle
hoping that the driver in that particular vehicle will give you a signal before
suddenly turning or braking, then you might be completely wrong. Various
reckless drivers have nothing to do with any kind of signaling.
Therefore, you should keep a moderate distance from the vehicle
in front so that you can do the needful accordingly when needed.
Concluding Remarks
By obeying the rules of traffic, you not only ensure the safety
of your own but also of those who are traveling with you inside the vehicle,
sharing the road with you, or pedestrians just crossing the road on foot on
zebra crossings. As for the government and road traffic authorities, they can
install devices such as variable
message signs, solar-powered
speed sign, speed governors, and speed breakers, etc., but ultimately it is
all of us who can make the road safer by obeying the traffic rules and bringing
improvement in our habits while driving.
