Law > Medical Jurisprudence > Causes of Road Accidents
A traffic or road accident is defined as an accident involving at least one vehicle on a road open to public traffic in which at least one person is injured or killed. The main cause of accidents and crashes are due to human errors. Most of the road users are quite well aware of the general rules and safety measures while using roads but it is only the laxity on part of road users, which cause accidents and crashes. In this article, we shall explain some of the common behaviour of humans which results in accident i.e. causes of road accidents.
Over Speeding:
Over speeding is one of the most common causes of road accidents. There is a temptation to push the speed limit when running late or sometimes drivers are obsessed with the natural psyche of humans to excel and over speed. But the driver has to understand that the road is a shared resource and many other vehicles are also using it. The increase in speed increases the risk of accident and severity of injury during the accident.
Due to higher speed, the momentum of the vehicle is high. At high speed, the vehicle needs a greater distance to stop i.e. braking distance. Hence there is a possibility of skidding the vehicle for a longer distance. At the same time, it is difficult to control the steering.
A vehicle moving at high speed will have a greater impact during the crash and hence will cause more injuries. Due to higher speed, the time of response is not sufficient to judge the forthcoming events. Hence, it is advisable to drive within the specified limits even when you are running late.
Distracted Driving:
Distraction during driving a minor cause, but can result in a fatal accident. The distraction may be outside or inside the vehicle. Due to distraction, most of the part of the brain starts thinking of the distraction, and thus lesser part of the brain handles driving. This division results in a decrease in the reaction time and ability of judgement. Thus the possibility of accident increases. The major reasons for distraction while driving are:
- Talking on mobiles
- Looking at the GPS system
- Talking to passengers
- Adjusting music controls
- Adjusting mirror
- Applying makeup
- Handling children or pet
- Reaching for a thing on the back seat
- Eating while driving
- Holding full bladder
- Use of mind-altering substances such as alcohol, illicit drugs
- Prescribed medication (sedative/tranquilizer)
- Daydreaming
- Not looking at the road
- Looking at Banners and Billboards
- Looking at the scene outside
- Animals on the road
Distraction seems to be a part of our everyday lives. Many times, people frequently drive distracted and escape consequences. But one day it can result in a fatal accident. It only takes a split second of distraction to create a lifetime of pain and suffering, hence care should be taken when driving by keeping the focus on the road.
Drunken Driving:
Drunken driving or driving under the influence of drugs is also one of the major causes of road accidents. The use of mind-altering substances such as alcohol, illicit drugs, or even prescription medication makes it difficult to focus the attention of the driver on the road. At the same time, alcohol reduces concentration and delays the response time. Limbs take more to react to the instructions of the brain. It hampers vision due to dizziness. Alcohol has another psychological effect. It dampens fear and incites humans to take risks.
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended but If you have had a drink or anything, take a cab or give your keys to a teetotaler friend who can drop you home.
Lane Cutting:
Changing lanes dangerously is one of the top causes of road accidents. Some of the factors that may contribute to a driver making the decision to change lanes are blind spots and high speeds. Due care must be exercised before switching from one lane to another. Driver’s fatigue, overspeeding, distraction, the influence of alcohol and drugs, etc. are some reasons behind abrupt lane cutting.
Red Light Jumping:
It is a common sight at road intersections that vehicles cross without caring for the signal light. Red always means stop. Even if it seems like no other cars are coming, you can cause a serious accident by jumping a red light and you will be breaking the law. Particularly jumping red light is dangerous at intersections. If the red light jumper crosses the intersection with greater speed to avoid crash and challan but it hampers his ability to judge the ongoing traffic and quite often result in a crash. The main motive behind Red light jumping is saving time and fuel. A red light jumper not only jeopardizes his life but also the safety of other road users. This act by one driver incites other drivers to attempt it and finally causes chaos at the crossing. This chaos at the intersection is the main cause of traffic jams. It is found that if all the vehicles follow a signal, a lot of time can be saved by avoiding jams at intersections.
Avoiding Safety Gears like Seat Belts and Helmets:
It is essential to wear a seat belt while driving a four-wheeler. Not only it keeps your posture right, but also reduces the chances of injuries during a head-to-head collision. It also increases the likelihood of survival of the drivers without having to suffer any significant damage. Bikers must were a helmet, it prevents severe head injuries during skidding or crash. Wearing seat belts and helmets doubles the chances of survival in a serious accident. One should use safety gear of prescribed standards and tie them properly for optimum safety.
Night Driving:
Driving in the daylight can be hazardous, but driving at night nearly doubles the risk of a car accident occurring. Lack of visibility makes to see the danger at night. When driving at night you should be alert at every moment use full lights when driving on an abandoned road or a road without streetlights.
Rain or Wet Roads:
Rain or wet reduces friction between the road and tires of the vehicle, hence Wet roads become slippery. Wet roads can be fatal for vehicles. While you can’t always avoid driving in the rain, the slippery streets should be best avoided whenever possible. Also, when the visibility is too low due to rain, you should pull over and wait until the rain subsides.
Tailgating:
Keep a safe distance from other cars so that you will have time to react to sudden turns or uses of brakes. No matter how frustratingly slow the cars in front of you must be going, there’s no excuse to get too close.
Wrong-Way Driving/ Improper Turns:
When people don’t get in the proper lane to make a turn, use signals properly, or follow traffic signals, accidents happen. When driving be aware of street signs warnings, one-way streets, or other irregularities, especially in unfamiliar areas. Abide by street signs. When making turns, use signals properly. It is hard to predict sudden changes in direction or speed, or sudden movement of other vehicles. You should avoid sudden braking as it is likely to cause a crash. When entering roads, temporarily stop to look around for oncoming traffic.
Potholes, Diversions, and Road Construction:
Driving through potholes is a tedious job. Drivers run the risk of losing control or balance of their vehicle or blowing out a tire when they drive over potholes. Due to sudden change in the direction or change of lane or loss of balance by biker can cause a serious accident. Try to drive around potholes to avoid damaging your car, when you can, but do not swerve into another lane if cars are coming. It is especially important to drive slowly in these areas to avoid even the smallest accidents from occurring.
Tire Blowouts:
Tire blowout may result in swerving off the vehicle unexpectedly. In such a situation pull over your car in the service lane. Change the tire or call for help if you cannot change the tire yourself safely.
Teenage Drivers:
Teens don’t have the experience to know what to do in unsafe conditions, hence they are one of the causes of road accidents. Teens should not be allowed to drive vehicles.
Environmental Factors:
Noise, air pollution, fog, snow, heavy rainfall, wind storms, hail storms, etc. are the conditions which can cause road accidents.
Other Factors:
Carelessness, illiteracy, crossing at wrong places moving on the carriageway, Jaywalkers on part of Pedestrians can cause road accidents. Projecting their body outside the vehicle, by talking to drivers, alighting and boarding vehicle from the wrong side traveling on footboards, catching a running bus, etc. on part of passengers can cause road accidents. Failure of brakes or steering, tire burst, insufficient headlights, overloading, projecting loads of vehicles can cause road accidents. Damaged and eroded roads, merging of rural roads with highways, diversions, illegal speed breakers, etc. are some other causes of road accidents.
Conclusion:
From the above explanation, we can conclude that the main reason for road accidents is human error. All these reasons might sound very basic, but they are the significant reasons behind accidents on roads. An accident can bring sufferings to the victim and his family. Thus due care is to be taken to avoid road accidents.
One reply on “Causes of Road Accidents”
i have learned so much tnx