Roads are considered to be a measure of the development of a country. With the roads becoming more and more sophisticated and the number of road users increasing every day, the safety on road has become all the more important. Here is a list of factors that affect your safety on the roads:
Engineered Vehicles:
Your car is equipped with a number of safety features to keep you safe when on road. Anti-lock Braking System (aka; ABS), traction control, and airbags are pretty commonly found in all the vehicles these days. Knowing your vehicle is necessary when it comes to your safety. Vehicles are engineered in order to check and control according to the program selected. Cruise control, anti-skid tires, and many other safety measures are taken by some manufacturers offering a secure commute.
Weather Conditions:
Driving on a bright sunny day in summer is the American dream of long road trips. But the weather doesn’t stay the same all year around. During a rainy day or on days covered with fog, you need to be more cautious. The roads turn slippery in wet weather. Fog decreases visibility on the roads. All of these conditions increase the risk of accidents on road. It is advised to drive slow and turn on your headlamps when facing bad weather conditions.
Road Infrastructure:
The road conditions also affect your safety on roads. Where there are no barricades or markings on the road, the risk of accident increases. Commonly the expressways are better equipped with good infrastructure such as lights, signals, road markers, barricades, etc. Roads that need repair are highly prone to accidents and encounters with goons. Long stretches of lonely roads have been criticized for being unsafe. Hilly roads are full of twist and turns. There are sections of roads where possible landslides can occur. All of these things are important when you are on road.
Using Protection:
If you drive a car, you should always wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts are very effective in protection against the impact force when met with an accident. If you ride a motorcycle, it is all the more important for you to wear your protective clothing. Wear your helmet, pads, and guards when on a motorcycle. Helmets are meant to protect you against any head injury in emergency situations. Reflective clothing is suggested when riding a bike during the night.
Driving Behavior:
Driving aggressively can not only jeopardize your security but that of others too on the road. As a responsible driver, you should always drive within the speed limits and adhere to the road safety rules as marked on the roads. Most of the accidents that are reported commonly involve a novice driver or an aggressive driver between the age group of 18-35. Educating this group of road users is necessary. You should advise your friends and relatives to behave responsibly on road.
Drunk Driving:
In almost all the states, driving under the influence of alcohol is a punishable offense. Your license can be suspended if found guilty. If you have been charged with drunk driving then you might be needing a DUI lawyer to help you out of the situation. There is actually no minimum limit to impairment by alcohol. It depends on person to person. A person can be impaired at 0.02 BAC levels or they may not even be at 0.05. It is best not to get behind the wheel if you have had alcohol. Alcohol slows down your response time and it may be too late in an emergency situation under the influence.
Driving Under Influence Of Substances:
Just as alcohol impairs your vision and reflex, other drugs also reduce your processing ability. It has been noticed that out of all the cases reported for road accidents, the ones involving a driver under influence of substance result in death, generally. There are laws put up by the state authorities to test your sobriety while driving. If you refuse to take the sobriety test, you are punishable by law under implied consent laws.
Distractions While Driving:
How many times have you been distracted by sunset landscape while driving? Distractions while driving are pretty common. It is your responsibility to stay focused on the road and not to be distracted. If you feel like being distracted, then you should pull over and wait till that distraction is overcome.
When it comes to safety on road, all the users are equally responsible. Compliance with road safety rules and wearing protective gear will not only save you but other users on road as well. Make sure to keep these factors in mind the next time you head out on road.