Road accidents are killers. Many have lost their lives or lost loved ones to road accidents. It is quite unfortunate some road accidents are caused by negligence of road safety rules and regulations by road users. It cannot be overemphasized that there are deadly dangers on the road one needs to avoid by simply adhering to road safety rules and regulations.
So, here are 8 deadly dangers to avoid on the road:
1. Speeding
While a brisk ride is a selling factor for many brands of cars, the reality is that speed is a leading cause of death when it comes to vehicle collisions. Practice the art of patience before getting behind the wheel and give yourself enough time to get where you’re going, because speed is a killer on the roads.
2. Impaired Driving
There’s often misconception about what’s considered impairment. Some drivers think that if you’re not over the legal limit, you can’t be charged. The truth is that even one drink can change the way you operate a vehicle. Alcohol isn’t the only vice that can lead to impaired driving. The use of prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and other mind-altering substances like cocaine and pot will lead to the same sanctions as drunk driving. And those penalties aren’t light.
3. Not Wearing a Seat Belt
“Buckle up” is a cute way of saying a seat belt will save your life. Most of the driving-related deaths is a result of drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts.
4. Ignoring Road Signage
Rolling through a stop sign, driving down a one-way street or making a U-turn in a no U-turn zone are decisions a driver makes through habitual and learned behaviour. Advisory signs, which are black and orange or yellow and black, aren’t mandatory, though all other signage must be abided by for your own safety on the road.
5. Careless Driving
“Collisions are a caused event, where someone has made a mistake,” says Const. Clinton Stibbe, a Canadian law enforcer. “An accident is something that is unavoidable and no matter what couldn’t be avoided.” That means speeding, aggressive lane changes, cutting people off and tailgating are all serious – and dumb – mistakes to make on the road. Careless driving puts the public in danger and that’s a criminal offence.
6. Drowsy Driving
Don’t treat your car as a napping pod. Not getting enough sleep before you get behind the wheel is comparable to impaired driving. Research has shown that reaction time, which is a critical skill to driving, is more impaired in patients with untreated sleep apnea than someone’s who’s legally intoxicated. The bottom line is only drive when you’re alert. If you feel like you’re fading, pull over, get some air or find somewhere safe to nap. Don’t rely on coffee to keep you up.
7. Burned Out Head and Tail Lights
Shine your lights on bright and don’t let them burn out! If you’ve got problems with any of your indicator lights, you’ve got a problem. Not only is it a offence, it’s also incredibly dangerous. When it comes to a burnt out headlight, it compromises a driver’s view of the roadway in dark or gloomy weather. If it’s a tail light problem, approaching cars have a higher chance of ramming into you. So keep on shining – get those lights fixed the moment they burn out.
8. Overcrowding the Vehicle
Leave the clown cars for the circus. Piling into a car is not only a bad idea, it’s also illegal: Driving with more people in the car than there is seatbelts is a offence. Operating an overcrowded car is considered distracted driving, since it gets in the way of the driver’s focus on the roads. It also means some of the passengers won’t have a seatbelt, which can lead to them being launched out the front window. So while it might be a slight inconvenience to split up your clan, just call a cab. It will save you a ticket – and someone’s life.
