For every Indian citizen, road safety must come first. According to the WHO, there are 1.35 million people that die each year due to road accidents. Although accidents can happen at any moment, one of the ways to prevent them from happening is by following road safety rules.
Taking Safety Precautions
Across India, many reports have identified the seat belt to be the single most effective method of preventing traffic accidents. According to the UN study, India reportedly loses 3% of its GDP to road accidents. Furthermore, 36% of road accidents occur due to over-speeding, and according to a study conducted by The Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), “ 100% of the vehicles are driven above the prescribed speed”. Needless to say, if we want to see a decrease in road accidents and fatalities, the nation’s drivers will have to start following basic road safety rules.
Never drive under the influence
If you’re intoxicated, exhausted or heavily medicated, it is highly advised that you avoid getting behind the wheel. Being in such a state lessens your ability to focus and react to certain situations. However, more and more Indian drivers neglect this rule, as seen in the 27% increase in drunk driving. In a recent report, 16,298 road accidents were attributed to drunk driving; in such cases, a car accident lawyer can help you handle the situation by assisting you in obtaining monetary compensation.
Check your vehicle before going out
As they say “prevention is better than cure.” A poorly-running vehicle can spell trouble for you and everyone else on the road. That is why it is important to have the necessary car check-ups and maintenance done on your vehicle before you get on the road. Some of the most overlooked maintenance issues include cracked windows, broken windshield wipers, broken signal lights, broken headlights, and balding tires. What is more, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, underinflated tires cause more than 33,000 injuries and 600 deaths every year, so make sure to double each tire before you get behind the wheel. And once you got these covered, always double-check your batteries, brakes, and fluid levels.
Road safety is a must for every driver. Keep in mind that having a license to drive your vehicle is not a right but a privilege. Every driver must do their part to ensure that they drive safely on the road.
