Introduction
Road traffic accidents (RTA) have been becoming an alarming public health issue that demands a comprehensive approach to resolution. The rising incidence of fatalities and grave injuries from RTAs is worrisome worldwide. There has been a continuous rise in fatal and life-altering road accidents, posing a substantial public health challenge to all relevant authorities. The current approach to enforcing existing regulations to prevent road accidents often falls short and lacks commitments. Current needed implementations include initiatives to increase awareness, rigorous enforcement of traffic laws, and the application of sound engineering solutions to prevent accidents. These measures are imperative in addressing this emerging public health crisis.
What Are the Contributing Factors for Road Traffic Accidents?
Frequent road accidents primarily result from several factors, including reckless and high-speed driving, non-compliance with traffic regulations, the arrogant behavior of larger vehicles asserting their dominance over smaller ones, excessive loading of public and vehicles, inadequate vehicle maintenance, driving under the influence of alcohol, driver fatigue, and, notably, the bad quality and congested roads encroached upon by unauthorized individuals and structures.
1. Drunken Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol has significantly contributed to road accidents, with highway accidents being particularly prone to this issue. Global statistics underscore the gravity of the problem, revealing that approximately 4,80,000 fatalities and 20 million injuries occur annually due to drunk driving. An estimated 20 percent of fatally injured drivers have been found to have a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit.
2. Driver Fatigue: Driver fatigue is an extremely perilous state that occurs when an individual experiences fatigue-related symptoms while operating a vehicle. This condition is especially hazardous during nighttime driving, as it can lead to the driver either dozing off at the wheel or becoming too exhausted to avoid making critical and often fatal driving errors. The escalating number of traffic accidents attributed to reduced driver vigilance has emerged as a pressing societal concern.
Statistics indicate that approximately 20 percent of all traffic accidents and as much as one-quarter of fatal and severe accidents can be attributed to drivers experiencing diminished vigilance. Furthermore, accidents associated with driver hypo-vigilance tend to be more severe compared to other types of accidents, as drowsy drivers often fail to take appropriate action before a collision occurs.
What Are the Preventive Measures to Reduce Road Traffic Accidents?
Fatalities and injuries on the road can indeed be avoided. Many effective road safety measures are accessible, and it is vital to take a systematic and scientific approach to address this problem. This approach should consider the entire traffic system and how vehicles, road users, and road infrastructure interact to find effective solutions.
1. Vehicles: Ensuring vehicles are properly maintained, including brakes, lighting, and tires, can help minimize accidents. Phasing out older and highly polluting vehicles is essential. Equipping vehicles with safety measures like seat belts and airbags is crucial.
2. Road Conditions: Maintain roads adequately, including frequent resurfacing and clear road safety markings. Establish proper footpaths for pedestrians and pedestrian crossings at intersections. Ensuring roads and intersections are spacious and well-lit for improved visibility. Implement separate lanes for slow-moving and fast-moving vehicles.
3. Human Factors: Drivers play a crucial role in accident prevention.
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Ensure that driving licenses are only issued to those with minimum proficiency from approved driving schools.
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Set minimum qualifications for drivers in various categories. Require all drivers to undergo proper training and hold a valid license.
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Educate both drivers and the public about traffic regulations.
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Conduct regular medical check-ups, particularly for vision and hearing for drivers.
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Make first aid training mandatory, along with providing health and traffic education to the general public to prevent accidents.
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Encourage responsible use of vehicle horns, reserving them for greetings or emergencies and discouraging indiscriminate honking.
How to Manage Accident Victims?
In many countries, a multidisciplinary approach involving experts from various fields like medicine, engineering, psychology, sociology, and vehicle expertise is employed for traffic planning and road design. There are valuable lessons to be gleaned from the eminent guidelines and best practices followed in developed nations. These countries have instilled a culture of safety, orderliness, and discipline among their citizens, regardless of the circumstances, which can serve as a model for improvement. Following are a few basic guidelines for managing accident victims:
1. Emphasize the significance of the "golden hour" to healthcare professionals and the community, stressing its role in saving injured individuals through prompt treatment.
2. Establish medical and first aid facilities along highways and busy roads.
3. Provide ambulances and trained medical personnel to swiftly transfer injured individuals to nearby hospitals for treatment.
4. Raise awareness among all segments of society, encouraging them to treat accident victims with compassion and without hesitation, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality rates.
5. Many lives can be saved, and the severity of injuries reduced through immediate first aid in accident situations. The primary objectives of first aid are as follows:
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To preserve life.
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To prevent further harm to the injured person.
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To alleviate pain and address the immediate needs of the casualty.
6. In a road traffic accident scenario, the immediate priorities include the following:
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Critical Four Minutes: A leading cause of road accident fatalities is the loss of oxygen supply, often resulting from a blocked airway. Shockingly, it typically takes less than four minutes for a blocked airway to prove fatal.
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The Golden Hour: The initial hour following a traumatic incident is referred to as the "golden hour." During this crucial time, providing effective first aid can significantly enhance the chances of survival for road accident victims and reduce the severity of their injuries.
Conclusion
Adopting a zero-tolerance approach is necessary for addressing prevalent violations, such as dangerous driving, defying traffic regulations, running red lights, driving under the influence, neglecting seatbelt use, and riding without helmets. Enforcing traffic rules and imposing severe penalties is essential to create a noticeable transformation. However, it is important to acknowledge that solely relying on strict punishments and enforcement will not fully resolve the ongoing crisis. Real change will come when drivers and all road users shift their mindsets and recognize their responsibilities in contributing to safer roads.
