Since the advent of motor vehicles, safety on the road has been a priority for governments around the globe. What are the best safety controls to reduce the risk of fatal accidents on public highways? Here are some ways that road safety has evolved.
Speed Restrictions: The faster a vehicle is, the greater the damage it will cause to another vehicle or pedestrian in the event of an accident. Just a 5mph difference between 30mph and 35 mph can double the risk of a driver killing someone they strike. In Europe, speed limits and seatbelts have been shown to save around 12,000 people’s lives. Speed can be reduced in many ways, such as through traffic calming measures and laws, speed cameras, or even devices that are fitted to the vehicles.
Education and Awareness Campaigns: Over the past decades, there have been numerous campaigns to raise awareness about issues like drunk driving and using mobile phones while driving. Most of us have seen and heard about such campaigns, from TV and radio ads to roadside signs. It is important to educate the public and to tell them some hard facts to deter them from poor driving habits. The latest Think campaign, for example, spread the message that drivers are four times more likely than others to crash when they use a cell phone. The campaigns also emphasise the safety of road workers. The drivers need to know how to react to roadworks, such as Chapter 8 chevrons like those from PVL UK
Road Design – How roads and infrastructures are designed has a major impact on safety and accidents. The roads can be made safer with proper street lighting, controlled crosswalks, and clear lane separation. Did you know roundabouts reduce serious injuries by 80% and accidents by 40%?
Visibility – Many accidents occur because drivers are unable to see clearly. This is a big problem in developing nations where the night lighting is bad. WHO recommends that cyclists wear reflective clothing and a light helmet, and motorcyclists utilize daytime running lamps.
Helmets: For motorcyclists and cyclists, helmets reduce the risk of brain and head injury by 88%. Helmets are a requirement in many countries for motorcyclists, but not all. In countries that don’t require helmets on motorcycles, the helmet wear rate is as low as 10%.
Seat Belts: Since the UK made seat belts mandatory, drivers and passengers have a 50% lower risk of dying in an accident. Seat belts reduce the risk of an accident by 60%, and are one effective safety measure. There are now even more safety measures, such as anti-lock braking systems and airbags.
