How to prevent road accidents

Did you know that road accidents are the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines? This translates to around 36,000 preventable deaths every year. Reckless driving, cell phone use, and drunk driving all contribute to fatal collisions.

Let us look at the major factors affecting road safety and what the government can do about it. I have also included some safety tips for our drivers and pedestrians.

Factors that affect road safety

1. Drunk driving. Don’t drink and drive. Those who drive while intoxicated are at very

high risk of dying due to accidents. This is especially true of young drivers. Statistics show that a third of road deaths are due to drunk driving.

2. Distracted driving. A major cause of distraction is talking over the cell phone or texting while driving. Data shows that around 10 percent of accidents are due to a

distracted driver. No matter how good you are at driving, the simple act of texting will get your eyes off the road for a few seconds. And in that split second, you could already figure in an accident. If you really need to text or call someone, get off the road and stop first.

3. Not wearing a seat belt. Studies show that half of the people killed in car crashes were not wearing seat belts at the time of the mishap. It’s a simple habit that can dramatically reduce one’s risk of injury and death. For front-seat passengers, the use of seat belts can lower the risk of dying by 45 percent, and decrease the risk of serious injury by 50 percent.

4. Teen driving. If you’re below 21, be careful when you drive. Statistics show that teen drivers are four times more likely to figure in a car crash compared to adults. This is because young drivers often lack experience in driving, and they are prone to drunk driving, not wearing seat belts, and speeding. Teens also love to chat, eat, and play loud music inside the car, all of which make them accident-prone. Moreover, teens driving with other teens, especially during the night, greatly increases reckless behavior and fatal incidents.

5. Older adults driving.  If you’re over 65, be careful when driving. Although driving can help seniors stay independent, there is also an increasing risk for accidents. Data shows that drivers, age 75 and above have a higher probability of car crashes. The major reason is the decline in an older person’s eyesight, hearing, and reflexes. To compensate for this, older drivers can take the following precautions: 1) drive only when conditions are safest such as during a sunny day, 2) ask your doctor to review your medications, 3) get your eyes and ears checked yearly, 4) do strengthening exercises, and 5) drive with an adult companion.

6. Pedestrian safety. In the Philippines, we see buses racing each other and pedestrians jumping over road islands to cross the highway. It’s a truly dangerous sight. For pedestrians, it’s actually more dangerous to walk the streets than to ride a car. On the average, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car accident compared to a person inside a car. Pedestrians who are older than 65 and those who are drunk are at greater risk for mishaps. In addition, more deaths occur in urban areas and at night. To be safe, pedestrians should wear bright-colored clothing, follow traffic rules and be careful when crossing the street. Never assume that a car has seen you and will stop for you. It is also safer to walk on the sidewalk rather than on the street. And if you need to walk on the street, you should walk facing the traffic flow and not have your back against the onrushing car.

What the government can do

1. For drunk driving, there should be strict enforcement of the policy prohibiting the sale of alcohol to those under 21 years old.

Another strategy is to have sobriety checkpoints on the road. However, the law enforcers should acquire inhalation devices that can assess the level of alcohol in the body.

2. Enact a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving.

3. Enforce the law on the use of seat belts. Exact a larger fine from those who violate the law. The higher the fine imposed, the more the passengers will comply with the seat belt law.

4. Teen drivers should be discouraged from driving at night or driving without adult supervision. The traffic police should be more on the lookout for teens who violate the law. Some countries have opted to increase the age where they issue a student’s permit and a professional license.

5. To assist older adults, the government should make public transportation convenient for the elderly so that they will have a reliable and safe means of travel.

6. To help protect the pedestrians, there should be convenient walkways, strategically located overpasses and covered waiting sheds for commuters.

Finally, the government needs to strictly enforce traffic rules, improve traffic flow, and ensure safer roads.

For the car driver, his responsibility is to maintain his car, follow traffic rules, and show courtesy to other cars and pedestrians. Let’s all do our part to prevent road accidents.