We could be anything societally, but we are all unavoidably road users. No matter how many vehicles a motorist is apt to drive, each of them does get an opportunity to be a pedestrian or a passenger at times.
In all three folds, motorist/driver, passenger and pedestrian, it is imperative that each of us, in our use of the road, purports to ‘put their guard up on the road’. This statement comes nothing short of warning road users to always be on guard for what may potentially cause them an accident, or cause accidents for themselves and other road users they find in the same road space.
As we map out our grand plan for the new year, it is equally significant to interrogate our road-use space and, should we find it wanting, quickly fix the faults and avoid damage that may be critical or even fatal. Nobody is exempt from traffic injuries and, by the same extension, from causing accidents on the road.
Motorists
For all the mechanical faults that may be posed by vehicles and potentially cause accidents, the worst causes of accidents are a direct result of human error, which accounts for almost 80 per cent of all accidents. It is therefore important for drivers to pause and ponder, as custodians of safety for themselves and other road users, by keeping to the designated speed of each road-adherent space and always adhering to road signs and regulations.
Most of all, it is imperative to regulate speed each time they are on the road. Schools are about to open, and some are adjacent to highways. Motorists would save lives by keeping their speed at the lowest possible level when they pass schools, especially when children are in the vicinity.
Some children are confounded by the road and the environment and are thus apt to falter on the road.
By virtue of being licensed, motorists harbour the responsibility, not only to regulate their behaviour and disposition on the road but also to look out for other motorists and pedestrians.
Pedestrians & passengers
To a large extent, the fate of these two groups on the road lies in the hands of the driver.
There are circumstances wherein their injuries, whether critical or fatal, occur when they had no chance to avoid an accident. However, there is a good number of accidents recorded where pedestrians, for instance, have negligently conducted themselves in the road space.
They may cross incorrectly or even use the road while under the influence of intoxicating substances. The same can be said of passengers, who at times avoid safety amenities such as seatbelts or board already overloaded vehicles.
Take aways
- Keep your eyes on the road
- Watch out and protect other road users
- Identify yourself in the dark and be reflective
- The roadworthiness of your car is important
- Kill yopur speed or you will be killed or kill someone in traffic
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