Road Safety

ROAD SAFETY
1. What is Road Safety?

The term road safety encompasses best practices, laws and guidelines aimed at
averting road mishaps and protecting all road users, which include other drivers,
passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. Road safety stresses the importance of being
cautious, the knowledge of traffic regulations and the use of safety measures to
minimize accidents, injuries and fatalities. In India, the authorities in charge of road
security are controlled by the Indian Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and the Central
Motor Vehicle rules of 1989, both of which outline the legal aspects of driving
licenses, traffic regulations, safety measures and their violations.
Aspects of road safety

• The most recommended right-of-way to be considered is highlighting
pedestrian safety. There are a few important facts regarding pedestrians: The
Facts – Crosswalks: Crosswalks (also called zebra crossings) constitute the
safest areas for pedestrians to cross the street. They also serve to remind
drivers to be on the lookout for pedestrians. Observing Traffic Lights: Where
traffic lights are present in intersections, pedestrians crossing the road with the
help of walk signs should do so. Where there is no obstructions including
walls, elevated areas, and grassy areas, anywhere along the border of the street
should be designated for pedestrians. Pedestrians should have easy access to
bump outs’ barriers.
• Jaywalking, or crossing roads randomly, is a surprise to the drivers and
increases pedestrian accident risks. It offers safer places for pedestrians to
cross the road. so avoid jaywalking on the road
A Safe Cycling Environment: The Risks Cyclists Face on the Roads

• On the road a bike offers less weight for its users to enjoy it better. Specific
features are crucial for this
• The Protection Provided by Wearing Helmets: Head is one of the basic parts
which need to be protected. If cyclists could be protected during an accident,
they use helmets.
• The Protection Provided by Using Bike Lanes: This is a huge safety
advantage. It is a fact that using bike lanes is a lot safer than riding in traffic.
Chandigarh has introduced dedicated cycling lanes in various sectors to
promote safer cycling.
• The Protection Provided by Using Hand Signals: Caution is required in any
situation. That’s why cyclists find it beneficial to use the hand signals while
riding.
• The Protection Provided by Staying Visible: When worn, they provide the
most basic degree of safety and visibility to cyclists.
Wearing Seat Belts
• Seat belts hold you in place closely, minimizing the chance of being thrown
about or tossed out of the car while making a sudden stop or hitting
something. This may prevent many serious injuries and even death.
• Front and rear-seat passengers in vehicles must wear seat belts for their own
safety as according to Rule 138(3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989
in India.
Avoid Using Mobile Phones or headphones while Driving

• Mobile phones or headphones distract drivers, taking their attention away
from the road and slowing reaction times, increasing the chances of accidents.
The less focused drivers are, the more collisions occur and all get hurt.
• Central Motor Vehicle Rule 21 prohibits the use of a mobile phone while
driving. Punishment may be imprisonment or suspension of license.
Speed limit
• Speed limits are set to match road conditions and the types of vehicles using
the road. Driving within speed limits allows better control over the vehicle and
provides more reaction time, reducing the severity of accidents.
• Speeding is penalized under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Different roads and areas, like school zones, have different limits to increase
safety in those environments.
Respecting Traffic Signals and Signs
Traffic Signs or Road Signs are signs erected at the side of roads to provide information to
road users. Pictorial signs are used as symbols in place of words. As control devices for
traffic, signs need full attention, respect and adequate driver's response. There are three
basic types of traffic signs:-
Signs that give orders. These

Mandatory are represented by red
Signs circles.
Signs that give warnings.

Cautionary These are represented by red
Signs triangles
Signs that give information.

Informative These are represented by
Signs blue rectangles.
Circles give orders, Triangles warn and Rectangles inform.
Blue circles give a mandatory instruction
All triangular signs are red.
There are a few exceptions to the

shape and colour rules, to give
certain signs greater importance. STOP GIVEWAY
Mandatory Signs
Cautionary Signs
Informatory Signs
Ignoring traffic signals or signs can lead to penalties under Section 177 of the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1988.
Lane- splitting
• Lane splitting is riding a motorcycle or bike between two lanes of cars going in the
same direction. It occurs when traffic moves slowly or is at a standstill, such as during
a traffic jam. The motorcyclist attempts to cut ahead by moving between rows of cars.
Why Lane Splitting is Hazardous?
• Drivers may not observe a motorcyclist riding between two cars. Thus, a driver who
fails to see the motorcycle riding in front of him, then changing lanes, is liable to
cause an accident.
• Cars are close together, which doesn’t leave much room for the motorcyclist to move
safely.
• Sudden moves are risky. A motorcyclist may not have time to avoid hitting the
vehicle by a car or bike if they suddenly stop.
Emergency Vehicle Right of Way

• Emergency vehicles, like ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars, need to reach their
destinations quickly to help people in need.
• When you see an emergency vehicle having light blinking and siren wailing, pull over
to let it pass safely.
• Never Block an Emergency Vehicle: This blocks the emergency vehicles causing
delay in emergency services, also illegal. [As per section 196E of MVA Act] (as per
recent government notification 10k fine will be imposed on anyone who blocks
the path of an ambulance)
Patience and Respect on the Road
Responsible and patient road users also have a lot to do with road safety. Among them are:
• Avoid Aggressive Driving: Speeding, tailgating ( to drive or follow closely behind

another vehicle or person), and cutting off other drivers are aggressive driving
behaviors that lead to accidents.
• Letting other people in, signalling left or right early, and not blocking intersections
are just small acts that make the road safer for everyone.
Avoiding Distractions as a Car Passenger

• Importance: Passenger intrusiveness can distract the driver with noise and violent
movement, which lowers the attention of a driver on driving. Calm and silent
passengers let the driver maintain his focus, resulting in better safety.
• Regulations: Passengers should not cause movements, may be loud talk or mobile
phone usage that could provoke distraction of the driver.
Statistics
‘India has the highest number of road accidents in the world’ as well as Highest number of
deaths due to it. Every year 130,000 deaths are reported. Due to RTA(Road traffic accident)
in India which accounts for 6% of the global burden, though it Has only 1% of the vehicles
globally. When compared to developed nations, The number of RTAs in India were three
times higher. It has overtaken even The most populous China. Experts caution that the actual
estimate of Mortality as well as injuries due to RTA could be much higher than what is
Actually reported, which could be because of underreporting. Of the total Estimated 1.4
million RTAs, only 0.4 million are recorded each year, which Is even worse in rural areas.
Around 40 people, below 25 years of age, die Due to RTA every hour in the world, while in
India it is 14 deaths/hour.
As Per World Health Organization (WHO), it is the second most prime cause of Mortality
among 5-29 year olds. The deaths due to RTA in India accounts for Twice more than the
deaths caused due to malaria, HIV, cholera etc. all put Together.
Evidence on the usage of helmet is scarce. Properly wearing A helmet while riding a
motorbike can lessen the risk of dying by nearly 40% As well as the risk of severe
injuries by more than 70%. Wearing a seat-belt Declines the probability of fatality in
the person sitting in the front-seat by 40–60% and of rear-seat passengers by between
25–75%. Using child Restraints reduces deaths by approximately 70% in infants and 54 % in
Toddlers. Only about 32% of the population globally have executed child Restrained laws.
There are many types of distractions that can lead to Impaired driving, one of them is using
mobile phones while driving. Those Drivers who use phones during driving have four times
more odds of Becoming a victim of RTAs when compared to those who do not indulge in
Such practice. As the speed increases the probability of occurrence of crash As well as the
degree of its consequences also increases. .

Road Safety

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ROAD SAFETY

1. What is Road Safety?

Aspects of road safety

A Safe Cycling Environment: The Risks Cyclists Face on the Roads

Wearing Seat Belts

Avoid Using Mobile Phones or headphones while Driving

Respecting Traffic Signals and Signs

Signs that give orders. These

Signs that give warnings.

Signs that give information.

Circles give orders, Triangles warn and Rectangles inform.

Blue circles give a mandatory instruction

All triangular signs are red.

There are a few exceptions to the

Emergency Vehicle Right of Way

Patience and Respect on the Road

• Avoid Aggressive Driving: Speeding, tailgating ( to drive or follow closely behind

Avoiding Distractions as a Car Passenger

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