KYR (KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY)

KYR
(KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY)

Deaths
and injuries resulting from road traffic crashes is a serious global
problem. In this motorized world the health concern of people are
neglected. Whether it is a developing country or a developed nation
the assurance of human life is given nowhere. The Global Status
Report on road safety 2018 which was launched by WHO in December,
2018, highlights that the number of annual road traffic deaths has
reached 1.35 million and cause up to 50 million injuries each year,
and the figure is going to reach 1.9 million people annually by 2020.
Road traffic injuries has emerged as the leading killer of people
aged 5-29 years, that signals a need to shift the current child
health agenda, which has largely neglected road safety. It is the 8^th
leading cause of death for all age groups even surpassing HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis and diarrhoeal diseases.

There
are many reasons for this trend: rapid urbanization, poor safety
standards, lack of enforcement, people driving distracted or
fatigued, others under the influence of drugs and alcohols, speeding
and a failure to wear seat-belts or helmets. But these are just some
of the aspects of the grave obstacle. The losses faced due to these
iterations take a huge toll on families and communities. The cost of
emergency response, health care and human grief is immense.

The
correct education and awareness is required to minimise the undesired
consequences. Drivers ed not only teaches how to be safe,
but it has proved to be important for a better society. Teaching laws
is one of the aspects of the education, where it becomes necessary
for the individual to be aware of government directives while
operating a vehicle. Time is changing, so are laws, today most of the
nations in this world have taken steps to diminish the evil of road
tragedies. Many countries have upgraded their laws in many regions
like drink-driving laws, motorcycle helmet use, seat-belt use, child
restraint use, drug driving. Less progress has been made on adopting
best practice on speed limits, despite the importance of speed as a
major cause of death and serious injury. But still laws are needed to
be expanded to accommodate the community and greater punishment
should be given to the accused.

Moving
on to the next element of drivers ed, i.e. safety on roads,
which is an obvious and ultimate goal of the mission. Safety
standards of a country includes technology, resources, skill and
knowledge, responsibility as an individual are need to be viewed once
again. Using the correct helmet can reduce the risk of fatal injuries
by 42% and a 69% reduction in head injuries. Wearing a seat belt
reduces the risk of death among drivers and front seat occupants by
45-50%. The use of child restraints can lead to a 60% reduction in
deaths. Drivers using mobile phones are approximately 4 times more
prone to be involved in crash; this is one of the biggest problems
that contribute to this problem. By keeping the mobile phones at bay
during driving, one will be at least able to minimise the risks to a
great extent. Ensuring safe road infrastructure with adequate
facilities for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles; and providing
measures such as footpaths, cycling lanes, safe crossing points and
other traffic calming measures can be critical in reducing the risk
of injury among these road users. Ultimately adequate law enforcement
of traffic laws can certify road safety. But just guaranteeing safety
doesn’t secure lives but following the rules and influencing the
behaviour of the bearers will be effective. Awareness among the
masses regarding laws and educating the commons is obligatory.

Driver’s
education is required to not only save people from road tragedies but
also focuses on easing their life. It enhances one’s understanding
of situation and also dictates the person how to react in such
circumstances. I am very familiar with such occurrences. My father
and grandfather both had once suffered a tragic motorcycle accident,
where they were hit by a car from backside. It was so instantaneous
that they couldn’t do anything. My father’s knee was seriously
injured and my grandfather had to rest on hospital bed for over a
month. The accident could have been more fatal but fortunately they
survived. The main causes were speeding and break failure.

Well
it’s never too late to make things right, with the right
initiatives and effective methods road accidents can be curbed.
However, we have to keep in mind that the steps we take will only be
effective only when people are ready to oblige to them. So first and
foremost duty is to make people aware of their responsibility, to
train them in such a manner that they can be vigilant themselves and
don’t promote others to trek a wrong path. Then the second step is
to deduce new laws and amending the old ones. Making new laws is
necessary as with time technology advances so do the vehicles and so
do people. Hence, new laws for ‘new people’. The third step
should be limiting the minimum driving age. Most of the teens, who
are below the legal age are guilty of driving without consensus. In
peer pressure or in the influence of alcohol and narcotics at a young
age many of them meet mishaps. For such an act, in case of any
incident their family, victims, victim’s family, their friends have
to suffer. Upgrading the infrastructure is a great way by making
service roads and other side roads for pedestrians and cyclists.
Strict surveillance is also required that no one misuses the side
roads. Most important of all but not the least each country should
limit the driving speed according to demography. Places of high
population should have reduced speed of vehicles.

How
can I contribute to road safety as an individual! Honestly an
individual is always a part of society so he/she should be attentive
enough to know what is happening around. Keeping eyes and ears opened
is a great way for one’s own safety and helping others. Convincing
oneself and others is important. Road traffic crashes are not
“accidents”. They are completely preventable. Road safety is no
joke; it is a privilege many don’t get. Person has to be mature and
responsible to drive safely.