Road safety is a very important aspect of modern life. There has been a rapid increase in the levels of deaths occurring due to road accidents all over the world. The roads can be quite unpredictable and disastrous accidents can happen as a result of minor and seemingly small mistakes or errors. Due to the fast pace of modern life, most commuters are in a hurry to get to their destination. Road accidents have increased drastically and are fast assuming a major health hazard today.
India has the second largest road network in the world with over 3 million km of roads of which 60% are paved. These roads make a vital contribution to the India’s economy. On the whole, the facilities for the road users are not up to the mark, leading to a high toll of the death victims. Recently, there is a growing concern over the road crash problem. Road safety is emerging as a major social concern in the country. The statistics are mind boggling with an average mortality rate of 100,000 persons dying in road accidents.
The most effective solutions to road safety related problems integrate the driver, the vehicle, the road and environmental considerations. Improvements in road safety can best be achieved through consultation and co operation with specific levels of government, industry and the public. All users of the transportation system must share responsibility for safety.
The Transport department has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing a smooth public transportation system on roads, controlling pollution under permissible limits, keeping a record of registration of vehicles, insurance of vehicles, issuing permits and collection of taxes. This department functions by devising policies, implementing them and then monitor and regulate the functioning of the transport in the city.
The Government of India has developed Traffic rules to facilitate the orderly, secure and timely flow of traffic. These safety rules must be observed to make the road a safe place. It entails upon every citizen to abide by these rules and to also ensure that road accidents are averted.
Some valuable tips on road safety.
Avoid High Speeds - When driving on the motorway try and stick to 70mph. Avoiding high speeds on motorways and A-roads can save a lot of petrol. Around 50% of the power produced by the engine is used to overcome aerodynamic drag. Drag increases rapidly above 70mph so you fuel consumption will suffer.
Smooth Driving – Acceleration and deceleration is what uses most fuel. For this reason you will improve your fuel consumption with smooth driving, Also avoid heavy acceleration from the lights and try not to rev too much.Don’t Coast In Neutral - Modern cars automatically shut off fuel to the engine if you’re not accelerating, but in neutral the engine will still use a tiny amount of petrol, so when cruising up to the lights keep the car in gear.
Close Your Window - If you are driving fast then don’t have your windows open unless necessary. Having the windows open causes significant drag which increases fuel consumption.
Driving Tips
Follow these driving tips and you’ll help reduce your risk of being involved in a crash as well as improve your personal safety as a motorist.
Power check
When checking your vehicle, the POWER check is the easiest to remember. This stands for Petrol, Oils, Water, Electric, and Rubbers. Everything under each heading should be visually checked at least once per week.
Safety gap between vehicles
When you stop behind another vehicle in a line of traffic, always ensure you are able to clearly see the bottom of the vehicle’s rear tyres. This ensures you are not too close to the other vehicle. Also, as you commence to move your two-second gap will already be in place.
Keep left
Keep to the left at all times unless overtaking. The right hand lane is for overtaking, or turning right. Use it for driving straight through only if the left lane is obstructed by road works or parked vehicles, or if it is not useable for any reason.
Indicate early
Where practical, use your indicators for at least 30 metres before commencing to turn or change lanes, to tell other road users what you will do.
Drive with anticipation
Expect the unexpected and be aware that we all make mistakes sometimes. The other driver may forget to indicate, or to look to see if you are near by. If you have anticipated this may happen, it will not be a surprise. We should be driving as a team, not as individuals, be prepared to let the other driver in, rather than blocking them out.
Stop at lights or stop signs
When you stop at the lights or at a stop sign, your car should be behind the thick stop line. There are some intersections, where if you stop over the stop line and a truck or bus turns into the street that you are leaving; it will collide with your vehicle.
Overtaking
Overtaking is probably one of the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can perform, especially on a two-way carriageway. Quite often the vehicle you overtake is only traveling slightly slower than you are. So please avoid overtaking.
Road Safety Rules
1. Do Not use your mobile while driving.
2. Use seat belts
3. Do not drink and drive.
4. Do not drive if tired.
5. Take special care about children, senior citizens and pedestrians.
6. Always adhere to speed limits
7. Pedestrians should walk cautiously and use foot-over-bridge wherever available.
8. Always use dipper at night.
9. Always use a helmet when riding a two wheeler.
Regional Transport Office,
Kohima,
