The Safety of Drivers and Passengers - Essay Example

Topic: Media Campaign: How to Encourage People to drive Safely? Driving is the most hazardous act that almost all of us do on an everyday basis. According to statistics nine people give up the ghost every day on the UK roads in addition to ten times as loads of them are dangerously wounded. The majority of these fatalities as well as wounds may possibly be prevented by driving cautiously. We also need to ask ourselves if we are safe drivers. (brake.org.uk) Why exactly do people need to dive safely? This is one question that each one of us needs to ask ourselves. Why do we need to drive safely? The very obvious reasons that we tend to ignore are: The safety and protection of ourselves, our family, and our children. The safety of other drivers and passengers. To be able to avoid , dangerous road accidents that can result in the loss of life , or the loss of certain parts of the Human body leaving the individuals crippled and disabled for life . The common mistakes that make us Unsafe Drivers, Unsafe Passengers and Unsafe pedestrians …… There are many of us who use the safety belts that have been provided to us within our cars in the front. What is essential is making sure that these safety belts are being used by passengers both in the front as well as the back seats. Whether the trips maybe long or short, there should be no reason of not using the Safety belts while driving or travelling. There are very few of us who tend to use the safety belts at the back seats which are not right. In regards to the babies, they should be put in a firmly placed baby car seat. By observing the following one can make sure that the baby is safe, while travelling. The baby Seats has got to be of the child’s exact size and accurate weight, in addition to being absolutely customized for the vehicle the baby is travelling in. Whenever deciding to buy a baby car seat, the instructions manual should be read very carefully. It is suggested never ever to purchase a second hand baby car seat, or a rear facing one in case of seats having an airbag. The second hand baby car seats are not encouraged because it is possible that they have been through a car crash already. It is also advisable, never to let the passenger hold a baby during the travel. If a collision or a crash does occur there is a higher possibility of the baby being thrown out of the car window or cracked door. This also implies the fact that a baby or a child of that small age might just get crushed under the passenger who is been hit while holding them in the vehicle. Another very common mistake that most of the drivers and passengers make is that of checking and adjusting the position of the head of the seat, in the right manner. There is a high possibility of the passenger or driver having a broken neck in case the position is not right. It is suggested that the top of the head rest should not in any case be lower than the top of the driver or the passenger’s ears. The head rest should be kept in manner that it is felt right behind the head. Checking the passengers head rest position is also a must in order to be sure that both the driver and passenger are safe from this hazard in particular. According to a survey conducted by the Association of British insurers, there have been 250,000 cases of clashes every year, reporting breaking necks as well as breaking backs. What is surprising is that several of these have occurred during reasonably low-speed car accidents. (Association of British Insurers) There are several deaths that are the consequences of blunders that of concentration, like that of replying to phone call ,looking for something otherwise shifting a CD. Driving is one of the many jobs that need the complete attentiveness. People need to concentrate on their driving in addition to the danger that lies ahead. The driver can also ask the passengers to stop talking if he or she is uncomfortable, or loosing concentration. The drivers also need to make sure they are at peace while driving .they also need to make an attempt to not get irritated by other drivers .Stress is the most common cause of a drivers non attentiveness , it is considered to be an illness and can harm an individual’s health. If the driver at any point in time during the drive feels unfocused, or has to get to something within the car, it is advised that the driver should take a break. If there is a serious medical situation, for instance, pregnancy, a mental condition, otherwise a flu, which influences an individual’s attentiveness, it is advisable not to drive. It is facts that 7% of the total parent population within the UK allege that their cars crashed for the reason that their children had preoccupied them. It is advised never ever to talk over the car phone or the mobile phone while driving. It is most advisable that the mobile or the car phone be shifted onto a messaging service. Even so much so that the use of Hands free sets can be a cause of distraction while driving. There have been investigations that have help extrapolate that the hands-free phones are as hazardous as the normal phones. They tend to distract the drivers attention from the highway. (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Drivers who are exhausted: It is very appealing to threat it, but investigation demonstrates that if anyone drives when devastated, it is next to impossible to stop them ultimately dozing off at the steering wheel. Thus it is advised never ever to drive a car if and when the driver is depressed or exhausted. It is also always suggested to get ample sleep prior to embarking upon a long drive. It would not be wrong to suggest this even for a short drive. As being sleepy or drowsy would be fatal in either of the cases. During long drives also, there should be breaks taken by the drivers, nonstop driving can also cause accidents and fatalities. There is no hard and fast rule as to when and where the driver should stop for breaks, if needed there can be smaller breaks or longer breaks in between. Until the driver can look for the right place to pull up closing down the air conditioner of the car and rolling down the windows can help keep sleep away. A major cause of accidents and collisions is because the drivers Eye sight has deteriorated, and is not aware of it. It is quite possible that the drivers eyesight might deteriorated without the driver being aware of it. It is recommended that the eyes be tested every two years and this applies to drivers of all ages after the legal age of 18 .It is especially important as and when the driver reaches the age of 45 or more. It is recommended also that drivers, who wear spectacles or contact lenses, should wear them at all times while driving their cars. There is at least one out of ten drivers whose eyesight is found to be lower the officially permitted minimum standard. It is by UK law that one must be capable enough to comprehend a number plate which is at 20.5 meters.) Such a precise eyesight trouble can also have an effect on the driver’s capability to see at night. (Eye care Information Service) The driver also needs to be well attentive whenever crossing another object which is still for instance a tree or a side walk. Making sure that you are at an appropriate distance from these still objects on or by the road will help the driver stay away from collisions or cross over’s, which can ultimately become the cause of a bad accident. Also, with reference to the other drivers on the road, if there any who do try to overtake your car, it is best to slowdown and let them have their way in order to save both them and yourselves from the danger of losing your lives. This rule is applicable everywhere including streets and highways. Being on the Look out of the pedestrians is an essential. There are instances when there are families crossing the roads or parents holding their children and crossing the road. It is best to be very conscious and alert on crossings and streets. Along with this, the driver also should be very careful while driving through busy neighborhoods or making a turn by the end of the street as their might be children at the end of the road. The United Kingdom has one of the most horrible child pedestrian casualty tolls within the entire of Europe. (Department for Transport) Cyclists considered to be facing a major hazard Within townships, several cyclists are over and over again killed to come, and turning to at intersections. They are compressed alongside barriers otherwise beneath the wheels of cars that are also on the same track or either opposite them. These cyclists are much more defenseless at night, and thus the vehicle drivers need to take extra care. If the drivers slow down their vehicles by a few miles per hour they would be able to save a lot of cyclists and themselves from accidents .According to the department of transport, if the driver is at a 40mph there is a 90% possibility that somebody the vehicle hits will expire. Also at 20mph there exists a 90% probability that the injured party will stay alive. These cyclists or bikers are the ones who are at a bigger hazard when compared to car drivers and they die more than car drivers. On a lot of derestricted country and city roads, the 60mph perimeter is extremely fast for protection. Deadly high velocity accidents with other means of transportation, as well as solitary automobile crashes with trees in addition to walls, are over and over again set off by intriguing turns too quick otherwise by overhauling within hazardous locations. The Drivers moreover tend to hit and kill cyclists, bikers as well as pedestrians on country or city roads. These drivers are predominantly susceptible when out of sight around the curves, otherwise at nighttime. Furthermore, the drivers are advised to approach very slowly for pointed curves by the road. It is best to assume that a curve is spiky even if you are unaware of it. It is advised, never to consider going straight ahead on a curve. The drivers should only surpass other vehicles if they are a 100% sure that the road is plain and that they can surpass at that particular time without disturbing traffic. According to the department of transport, the drivers are additionally expected to end up killing themselves on country roads than on any other kind of street. At least, two out of the three deaths of drivers take place on these kinds of roads. (Department for Transport) Environment that scourges the UK driver Rain, Snow, ice, Fog along with occasional sunshine During these circumstances it is definitely much harder for the drivers to see. In addition to this as and when the roads get icy and slippery, it takes much longer for the brakes to actually stop the car .The drivers should always remember to keep their headlights on during overcast and dark surroundings. Making sure that the fog lights are used while going through areas of severe fog. These lights should be very helpful for the drivers to be on the lookout for pedestrians or fellow cars on the road. The speed should be such that the driver should be able to stop as soon as he or she decides to do so. If anybody is overspreading and suddenly decides to stop, this may trigger a collision or else a fatal accident. Most importantly at night time the drivers should never presume the roads and streets are empty and no pedestrians are around. During the times of wet weather, kit is better to leave early, than to drive fast, and face the hazard of skidding or slipping on the road, also causing hazard to fellow cars. During the event of severe snow storms or snowfalls the drivers are advised to leave an hour earlier as and when required so as to avoid making sharp turns and speedy overtakes. Driving under such circumstances should be kept to a minimum. ( safer roads .org) Last but not the least the vehicle being driven needs to be taken care of, and well prepared for situations described above. Also the vehicle should be checked regularly for faulty tyres, non functioning wipers etc. In order to be sure that the vehicle that you are driving is safe. You need to make regular checks. The wear and tear of the tyres, checking on the indication bars on the tyres. Change the tyres before the are really without grips. The least amount of officially permitted stride is 1.6mm; however any less than in relation to a 3mm may possibly be a setback during damp otherwise frosty or sub zero circumstances. Regular checks on the head light bulbs, the fuel pump, the tyre pressure, Incorrect tyre pressure can cost you cash. A tyre that is under pressure might cause the car to consume much more fuel than the usual level of it. (The Tyre Industry Council) The oil and water leak checks, worn wiper blades can be fatal on a very rainy day. During several investigations, more than a quarter of the car tyres have been found to be dangerously shabby otherwise smashed. (The Tyre Industry Council) If the car breaks down and the driver is unable to take the vehicle off the highway or the street, the driver should then attempt to move towards a measured stop wherever other drivers can distinguish you from far away. The hazard lights should be turned on. Also displaying a warning triangle at least 45 meters at the back of the car. Never on a motorway. The motor vehicles that are much more ‘pedestrian friendly’, for instance, with softer shock absorbers, are also appropriately available. If someone is making a new vehicle purchase they are advised to, prefer the one that toll’s well within EuroNcap crash tests. The highest score is that of 5 stars. It is not advisable to drive a vehicle with bull bars. If there are cars with Bull bars, it is suggested that they be removed immediately. The above are several reasons, and several instances why people should be encouraged to drive safely. There is no denying that along with the technological advancements come a lot of disadvantages and hazards. But it all really depends on how the technology is being used or misused. This can eventually become the cause of a fatal accident. So it is best to be a Safe Driver! Critically evaluating the above document: If the above document is critically evaluated, it seems that the document is complete on the level where the drivers and the passengers along with the pedestrians are being made aware of the possible hazards. Along with that a few facts and figures presented through certain agencies working in the UK also serve to help support the discussion. The above document needs to be properly distributed, making sure that the channels used for distribution of this material whether in print or electronic media are appropriate and convincing enough for a larger population. Feedback forms , and surveys should also be conducted after distributing the above so as to be sure how effective the media campaign actually was . References 1) LEARNING TO DRIVE A CONSULTATION PAPER, Department of transport, available at, http://learningtodrive.dsa.gov.uk/downloads/DSA%20-%204222%20Consultation%20runout.pdf. Accessed on the 6th of September 2008. 2) Learning to drive, Schools and education, available at, http://learningtodrive.dsa.gov.uk/pages/downloads. Accessed on the 6th September 2008. 3) Safer roads, teaching road Safety, available at: http://www.mysaferroads.org.uk/. Accessed on the 6th September 2008. 4) Why do we need to drive safely, available at http://www.brake.org.uk/resources/downloads/Are_you_a_safe_driver_.pdf. Accessed on the 6th of September 2008. Read More