Alert today-Alive tomorrow: Prevention of road traffic accidents

Malem Elangbam *

Road mishap on October 18 2021 :: Pix - TSE

Road traffic accidents involving two wheelers/four wheelers are a major cause of morbidity and mortality amongst the population. In spite of explicit instructions on subject matter by Government (Transport & Police Department), accident rate is showing upward trend.

The rate is the highest amongst youths. The injuries caused by these accidents lead to preventable hospitalization / permanent disability and death. There is a scope for reduction in the number of Road Traffic Accidents and prevent unnecessary loss of life and disability. A sustained campaign to reduce vehicular accidents involving public transport and private vehicles needs to be undertaken by concerned agencies. All the stakeholders at all levels should take personal interest in monitoring and enforcement of traffic discipline amongst the population.

Suggestive measures to minimize the road accidents and guidelines on prevention of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are, RTA injuries are a modem epidemic facing us. The global status report on road safety shows that the total number of road traffic deaths remains unacceptably high at 1.24 million per year.

The RTAs are a leading cause of death among young people, aged 15- 29 years. On an average, 3242 persons die each day in India every day (equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing every day). In addition, 20-50 million people are estimated to be injured or disabled each year. India is no exception and data showed that more than 1.3 lakh people died on Indian roads every year.

It is estimated that if the current trend continues by the year 2030, RTAs will kill 2.4 million people every year, more than those dying due to malaria, TB or HIV/ AIDS etc. Males in the age group of 15-44 years form the majority among the victims. The social repercussion of losing the sole/main bread earner on the families can be well imagined.

Epidemiology: Risk factors in RTA may be related to a number of factors.

Human Factors

1) Over speeding
2) Overtaking on narrow roads
3) Overtaking from the left
4) Drunken driving
5) Not using safety devices (helmets, seat belts etc.)
6) Use of mobile phones while driving
7) Disobedience of traffic signals & road rules
8) Inexperience as a driver on wet/hill roads
9) Driver fatigue, especially in HMV drivers on long journeys
10) Sudden road crossing

Vehicular Factors

1) Faulty designs and poor safety features
2) Poor roadworthiness of vehicle
3) Improper maintenance
4) Bald tyres
5) Problem with head and tail lights
6) Brake failure
7) Overloaded vehicle

Environmental Factors

1) Poor road design and maintenance
2) Mix of slow and fast vehicles
3) Lack of pedestrian footpaths
4) Inadequate traffic policing and signals
5) Inadequate visibility/ lighting
6) Stray animals and obstacles on road
7) Weather conditions-heavy rain, storm, lightning etc.
8) Hilly/mountainous terrain

An accident occurs only when a number of possible risk factors occur together. These multiple risk factors can involve the human being, the vehicle or the environment on the road. Lack of safety-conscious behavior on the road is fast emerging as an important variable in any analysis of accident occurrences. A comprehensive study of road safety found that human error was the sole cause in 57% of all accidents and was a contributing factor in over 90% of all accidents.

Preventive measures to minimize road accidents

Administrative Measures : Suggested administrative/ technical/medical measures to be adopted to prevent/ minimize road traffic accidents

Administrative measures

1) Strict enforcement of existing road traffic rules and guidelines regarding use of proper helmets by all two wheeler driver/pillion drivers. Chin straps should be tied properly. Surprise checks may be done for the same by dedicated police / traffic personnel.

2) No driver under influence of alcohol. Strict checks with ‘Breath Analyzers’ to be carried out by police personnel randomly on suspected vehicles especially the public transport/school vans/buses. If any individual is found driving under influence of alcohol, the vehicle may be banned/withdrawn for a period as a punitive measure.

3) Checks for valid driving licenses. All new vehicles private/public owners are to be especially tested for their driving ability before they are cleared for driving on main roads by vehicle sellers. Till such time they become proficient, they may be advised to display learner sign ‘L’ prominently on their vehicles.

4) Identify accident prone areas in all stations and arrange special cautionary marking such as luminous sign boards at danger points. All vehicle owners to ensure no high beam of head light is used except in case of need/dense fog etc.

5) Imposition of speed limits on busy roads and near schools, residential areas, offices and on approach roads. Surprise checks using speed gun to control speed of the vehicles may be en- couraged.

6) Regulation of public transports, school transports/vans, recreational/ excursion tours and avoidance of overcrowding in these vehicles.

7) Public transport drivers duty hours should be regulated by concerned owner/agency in such a way that they get adequate sleep and rest.

8) Control of stray/ domestic animals on roads need to be enforced. Owners of domestic animals should not send them on roads strictly for feeding or else, so as accidents due to these animals on roads may be prevented and precious lives can be saved. Every lives are precious.

9) Regular talk/workshop on prevention of RTA may be organized by District Transport Officers in their area of responsibility. The lectures from medical, administration and technical experts may be organized.

The speakers should highlight the practical aspect of problems and their solution along with case studies and demonstrations. These lectures/workshops may be conducted at schools, village meetings or any other public meetings.

Technical Measures

1) Speed breakers should be painted and marked prominently.
2) Preventive maintenance of vehicles must be carried out at regular intervals by vehicle owners/ agencies.
3) Foolproof daily inspection of public transports. Periodic check of tyre pressure, wheel alignment, wheel balancing, engine oil, brake oil etc. should be done.
4) Bald tyres/tyres with worn out threads should be routinely replaced.
5) Defensive driving.
6) Public transports/private public transport vehicles should have Standard Operating Procedure for drivers vis-£t-vis driving discipline.
7) Proper training and practice for new drivers and newly recruited public transport drivers.
8) Maintenance of roads/ lighting by concerned agencies using proper night luminous signboards and cautionary sign boards.
9) Person sitting in front seats of four wheelers must use safety belts. It has proved beyond doubt that use of safety belts has resulted in considerable reduction in gravity of injuries following serious accidents. Seat belt use should also be encouraged for rear seats when available.

Medical Measures during licensing /DL application

1) 100% check of visual acuity, color vision and hearing of all applicants.
2) Lectures on ill effects of alcohol on driving ability, reflexes and risk taking behavior. Lecture on first aid measures also required to save live and limbs.
3) Provision of first aid boxes in all vehicles including school transports.

General Measures

1) IEC materials/slogans on road safety and prevention of accidents should be screened at traffic points for seeing by goers during their red light traffic signal halt. Grave road traffic accident photos may be displayed at prominent places preferably near traffic points so as to remind the scene and realize ‘someone/some people is/ are waiting for him/her at home’.

2) Lecture cum demonstration of driving discipline, road traffic signals be organized in association with police, transport office especially for school going teens and school staff to create more awareness on these aspects.

3) Dangers of driving on wet roads, slushy areas and through pot holes especially during rainy season needs special emphasis.

4) Organize ‘Road Safety Week’ in schools/ colleges for which students are taught about road safety by painting/poster competitions, slogan writing on prevention of road accidents and other innovative ideas.

5) Review and analysis of fresh accidents during road safety week or public gatherings along with remedial measures. Inclusion of small clip/slide of road traffic accident prevention in film/movie as advertisement. Publicity of such accidents should be done as a deterrent.

6) Punitive action to disobedient drivers/default-ers may be published in public forum.

7) Catchy Slogans : Certain catchy slogans if placed at strategic places like traffic junctions, turnings, bus stands, check points etc. catch eyes of drivers/riders and make an impact. Certain examples are,
- Normal Speed, meets every need.
- Hug your kids at home, but buckle them in car.
- Stop accidents, before they stop you.
- Life doesn’t have reset button. Drive Safe.
- Drive, don’t fly.
- Fast drive, last drive.
- It is better to be late, Mr. Driver; Than to be Late Mr. Driver.

It is well known that “speed thrills but kills”. Most accidents occur while overtaking, turning, without catering to narrow roads and “reciprocal traffic”. Higher the speed, higher is the probability of a crash resulting in serious injury or fatality. The risk of being involved in a crash increases with speed because the driver has less time to react, less control of the vehicle and the distance it takes to stop is considerably shortened.

Poor driving skill, lack of experience, aggravated further by inadequate enforcement of licensing & traffic rules, makes this probably the most important causes of two/four wheeler accidents today.

Coordinated efforts from administrative, technical and medical services will go a long way in preventing avoidable morbidity and mortality.