Road accidents have become an inevitable part of modern life, with the increasing number of vehicles on the roads and the complex road networks in cities and towns.
Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in road accidents, ranging from minor to fatal incidents.
These accidents involve both individuals and vehicles, but most importantly they involve human beings and their likely outcome is injury or death.
The causes of road accidents range from driver error or carelessness, to mere circumstances beyond anyone’s control.
The most common causes of road accidents are careless driving, drunk driving, poor weather conditions, distraction, overspeeding, and failing to follow traffic rules.
Careless driving includes talking on the phone, failing to observe the speed limits, passing other motorists without signs or whistles, and ignoring traffic signs and signals.
Drunk driving is the leading cause of death on roads, as the level of alcohol in the blood interferes with the ability of motorist to operate the vehicle safely.
Drinking while driving can lead to loss of control as the motorist becomes easily distracted.
Poor weather conditions such as snow, fog, rain, and strong winds make it more difficult for the motorist to maintain control on the road.
Distraction in the form of talking to passengers or adjusting the car radio, or even from outside sources such as seeing something interesting on the street or trying to look at some advertisement boards while driving can also cause accidents.
Failing to observe the speed limits is another major cause for road accidents as the higher the speed, the lesser is the time for the motorist to respond in case of something unexpected on the roads.
Moreover, over speeding can cause a sudden loss of traction in certain road conditions such as slippery roads which can cause loss of control.
Following traffic rules is also very important, avoiding illegal turns, wrong-way driving, dangerous parking, using indicators, and lane-cutting.
Hence, it is imperative for citizens to obey traffic rules and regulations to avoid road accidents and ensure their own safety.
Motorists should also be patient, alert, and maintain correct speed limits to ensure there is no undesirable chaos and confusion on the roads.
Lastly, proper education should be given to road users to make them aware of the rules and regulations of driving on the roads and the potential hazardous situations they can face while driving.