Road Safety: meaning, accidents and rules 

The 21st century has been accompanied by many

Zebra Crossing 

new forms of challenges and threats such as climate change, piracy, cyber Crimes, terrorism to name a few. Among these one of the major problems that the society in large today faces as road accident. Road accident are a major problem faced throughout the world. In order to curb the menace of road accidents every country today has coming up with  home grown solution and a working plan to mitigate such challenges. In such a context it becomes essential for every youth to be aware of certain basic rules and regulations and method to avoid road accidents. 

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨? 

Road safety can be referred to the precautionary measures taken by any vehicle driver, cyclists, pedestrian and passenger on the road in order to prevent injuries, accidents, and thereby assuring safety. There are traffic rules and regulations which have been laid out and should Compulsorily be followed. 

𝘾𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨:

Studies that there are numerous and varied reasons which can cause road accidents.Drunk driving, high speed, sleepless night, rough road, inclement weather, car break down, Violeting traffic rules etc. They can be summarised as given below: 

𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨: 85% accidents are caused by human factor such as drunk driving, drowsiness, fatigue, lack of awareness of road sign, violation of rules, distracted driving, pedestrian error etc. 

𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚: poor Infrastructure such as incorrect road engineering, dilapidated conditions of roads also contribute significantly to road accidents. 

𝙈𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧: Mechanical error such as driving and ill maintained vehicle abrupt mechanical failure etc can lead to accidents on the road

𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨: . 

Unfavourable terrain , unforeseen  natural calamities, bad weather conditions, etc cause accidents frequently. In order to combat these factor some remedies have been devised and can be summarised as 4 "Es".

1.Engineering: Indian Roads are commuted by pedestrians, bicycles, carts, rickshaws, public heavy vehicles, light motor vehicles etc. Therefore roads should be constructed systematically and scientifically for the benefits of all commuters. Like wise vehicles should also be manufactured with latest and advanced technologies. Proper and correct engineering of roads can ensure lower rate of accidents.

2. Enforcement: Regular and strict enforcement of road safety rules and regulations have managed to bring down accident rates and can continue to do so in future. It also gives States the scope to incorporate safety related positive legislative changes and strict enforcement thereof.

3. Education: Imparting education on golden rules of the road to each and every driver and road user will help ensure safer roads for travelers and vehicles.

4.Emergency Services: Well regulated and effective emergency medical services can bring down the number of deaths due to accidents substantially.

Issues of road safety:

One of the main objectives to educate the youth on road safety with the hope that the future generation, who plays an active role in the society, will in turn spread awareness among the masses on the challenges of road safety, simultaneously being well equipped themselves on the same. The United Nations General Assembly in March 2010, has declared a worldwide movement and therefore, on 11th May 2011 "The Decade of Action on Road Safety 2011-2020" Was launched across the globe. The movement has been initiated not only to start awareness on road safety but also to curb the loss of lives due to road mishaps. There are several strategies put forward under this initiative, some of them are to enhance emergency building road safety management, improved legislation and enforcement on helmets, seatbelts, child restraints and avoiding drinking and driving and speeding etc. In India too, there have been many initiatives taken by the government. Since 1989, the Government has been organizing 'Road Safety Week' every January devising several different strategies to promote awareness on road safety. In the year 2005 the Union Cabinet based on the recommendations of the Sundar Committee approved the National Road Safety Policy to improve road safety activities in the country. Among the eleven policies adopted for the National Road Safety Policy, awareness among the public has been given prime importance.

Some Statistical data related to Road Accidents:

The impact of road accidents can be understood from the statistics given below:

According to World Health Organisation, 1.25 million people die and around 5 million persons injured in road accident across the world annually. World's 10% accidents occur in India whereas total number of vehicle is only 1% compared to the world's total vehicle. Rate of accidents is three times higher in our country than developed countries.

Road accident statistics of National Crime Record Bureau of India: 

1. In the year 2014 in India 141526 persons died and 477731 persons seriously injured in 450898 Nos, of road accidents.

2. On an average, 16 persons killed in 51 road crashes per hour. One person dies in every 4 minutes. 

3. Out of total fatalities 26.4% bikers die in road crash. 

4. 27.5% accidents occur on National Highways whereas 25.3% on State Highways. 

5. 36.8% accidents occur due to over speed. 

6. 3.2% accidents occur due to bad weather. 

7. 54.7% and 45.3% accidents occur in rural area and urban area respectively. 

Assam: 

In 2014, total 2522 and 6500 persons died and seriously injured pectively, out of 7144 total number of accidents. It is presumed the number of road accident related figures may be more med accidents go unreported.

Rules of the Road: 

There are certain Rules of the Road which are expected to be lowed by the road users for the purpose of safety. These are enlisted The Motor Vehicle Laws. Some of those are mentioned below-

Keep the vehicle as far as possible to the left hand side of the road and allow other vehicles to move by your right hand side.

A vehicle intending to take a right turn should move along the centre of the road and allow other motor vehicles behind it to overtake from the left side or vice versa.

Overtake vehicles from same direction by right hand side.

1. Do not overtake if-

(a) If creates difficulties for vehicles from opposite side.

(b) Road intersection, hill side where visibility is not clear.

(c) Another vehicle of trying to overtake you.

(d) You have not got proper signal from the vehicle moving ahead of you.

(e) If a vehicle has begun to overtake a vehicle ahead, it shall not accelerate or do anything that will cause inconvenience to the intending vehicle from overtaking smoothly.

(f) While entering onto the main road from a bye-lane, where traffic is not being regulated, give priority to the vehicles travelling along the main road slowly.

(g) Give way to the fire brigade vehicle or ambulance by drawing yourself to the left side.

(h) While slowing down, give signal visibly to the vehicles behind by extending right arm with downward palm several times.

(i) While stopping, raise right fore arm vertically outside and to the right of the vehicle, with palm to the right.

(j) While turning right or overtaking a vehicle ahead, extend right arm in horizontal position outside with the palm of the hand to the front.

(k) While turning or drawing to the left hand side of the road, extend right arm and rotate in an anti clockwise direction.

2. Don't park

At or near road intersection, a bend, top of a hill or a bridge. 

On a footpath. 

Near a traffic light or pedestrian crossing. 

On a main road or fast traffic lane. 

Opposite to parked vehicle or as obstruction to others.

Along side another parked vehicle. 

On roads or places where there is a continuous white line. 

Near a bus stop, school or hospital entrance or entrance to a premise or blocking a traffic sign-board or on the wrong side of the road and at place other than parking place.

3. Don't drive on a declared 'one-way' except in the specified direction.

4. Don't blow horn

No driver shall blow horn continuously, needlessly or more than necessary or in 'silent zone'. Use of multi-toned horn giving harsh. shrill and loud noise is prohibited.

5. Maintain adequate distance from other vehicle ahead to avoid collision if the vehicle in front suddenly slows down or stops.

6. On hill roads and steep roads give precedence to the vehicle moving uphill.

7. Don't carry any explosive, inflammable articles except the fuel or lubricants required for own vehicle.

8. Obey the people in uniform.

9 (a) A road marked by lanes for movement of traffic, drive within the lane and don't change the lane without giving proper signal.

(b) Where a road is divided with a yellow line, don't overtake touching the yellow line.

When any line is drawn and painted with either in white, black or yellow on the surface of the road at junction, don't touch the line when you stop.

10. Slow down when approaching a road intersection and not to enter such intersection, junction or crossing until it is certain that there is no danger to pedestrian or other traffic.

(a) Registration number and other marks be maintained in a clear and legible condition.

Registration number plate, head light should not be blocked or interrupted by placing any goods or load.

11. Always carry driving licence, registration certificate, insurance certificate, pollution under control certificate and in case of transport vehicle the permit, fitness certificate. On demand by authorised officer in uniform produce them for inspection.

12. Don't mix drink and drive. If may cause inconvenience to you and others.

13. Move you vehicle to extreme roadside while attending a telephone call.

14. While driving at night crossing the headlight must be lowest.

15. Don't drive at a speed exceeding 25 kilometre while passing a procession or workmen engaged in road repair.

16. Respect the pedestrian, blind, elders and differently abled persons.

17. Where 'U' turn is prohibited one should not take U turn. Take 'U' turn only after giving proper signal and looking at the rear view mirror.

18. Don't permit any person to sit or stand or anything to be placed, which may interrupt driving.

Must obey

Every direction or signal given by any authorised police personnel. 

Any direction given by means of traffic sign, signal and indication applicable. 

Any direction given by automatic signaling devices.

While walking

Use zebra crossing while crossing a road.

While crossing road - look left then right then again left. 

Use footpath where it exists. Where footpath doesn't exist walk on the extreme side of the road.

Walk along the extreme left side of the road. While moving along side of a stationary vehicle look to the front and rear.

Use torch light at night.

Don't allow tiny-tots to move on the roads without guide. 

Avoid walking with friends collectively, it creates problem to others and self.

While traveling by bus

Get in a bus one after another.

Get hold on secure place while entering to avoid bodily injury. #Abrupt use of brake of the bus you are traveling may cause injury, therefore, to avoid this hold tightly at secure place

On getting out of a bus look at front and rear then walk.

 Tender exact amount of money and ask for the ticket from the conductor.

Carefully keep your articles on the bunker (meant for luggage) inside a bus so that it does not fall on others causing head injury.

Resist the driver if he drives in excessive speed which may endanger your safety.

Report your complaints if any to the nearest police station or transport authority or record in the complaint book kept in the vehicle.

Don't hurry while embarking; slow and steady is the best policy for your safety.

Journey on foot-board of a bus is not permitted 

Inflammable and hazardous articles are not allowed while traveling in any kind of passenger vehicle.

Don't cause inconvenience by standing yourself at the footboard of buses etc.

Rules applicable for School Bus: 

Driver must have 5 years experience of driving heavy vehicle. The driver becomes unfit to drive school bus if he commits the following offences twice during a year: 

Jumping of Red Light

Parking at No Parking area

Overtaking unlawfully

Violation of Stop line at Road intersection

• Allowing unauthorized persons to drive

Over speeding or under the influence of drugs disqualify a person to be a school bus driver

Driver should wear uniform

School buses must be painted with yellow colour with school name and contact details.

On school duty shall be inscribed in the front of the school bus

The bus should be fitted with speed governor restricting speed @40 kmph

Facility to automatically close the doors should be available

As per Hon'ble Supreme Court of India school buses can accommodate 1.5 times the students as against total seating capacity for adults.

Helmet

As per section 129 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 wearing of helmet by both the Biker and the rider is mandatory. The helmet certified by Bureau of Indian Standards is only permissible for use. Two wheelers make up a large proportion of those injured or killed on the roads. A helmet protects from head injuries and fatalities and its use is effective at reducing fatalities up to 40% and up to 70% severe head injuries Non compliance of this legal requirement is punishable under MV law. 

Drunken Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol can reduce the response time of the driver of a vehicle. This in turn results in a large number of accidents on roads. To reduce the number of drunken driving cases on Indian roads the enforcement agencies conduct regular checks. If breath analysis or blood tests indicate a blood alcohol level of 30 mg or more for every 100 ml of blood, the driver is liable for a fine of minimum rupees 2000 or imprisonment or both u/s 185 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Use of mobile phone during driving:

No driver is permitted to use mobile phone or head phone during driving. Whoever is detected doing so is liable for punishment including suspension or cancellation of Driving Licence.

Vehicular emission pollution:

As per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a vehicle completing one year from the day of initial registration must carry 'Pollution under control certificate from an authorized emission testing station. The vehicle must undergo compulsory emission pollution test every 6 months. Violation of this provision is punishable u/s 190 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Seat belt: 

A speeding vehicle causes the occupant's body to reach a state of uniform motion along with the motion of the vehicle which is termed as inertia. In the event of a collision or sudden use of brake of a vehicle, the occupant's body still remains in motion due to the force of inertia. A seatbelt serves as a Primary Restraint System by applying opposite force on the occupant's body and hence preventing ejection from the vehicle. Additionally it also keeps the passenger and driver's body in correct position so that air bags can function with maximum effectiveness during a collision. As a result injuries can be minimized during collisions. Studies reveal that a significant percentage of deaths during accidents can be attributed to negligence in fastening of seat belts. U/S 177 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, non fastening of seat belt is a punishable offence.

Driving licence: 

Driving licence is a licence issued by a competent authority borizing the person to drive a specified class of vehicle. In Asurity ang licence is issued by the District Transport Officer of Transport epartment.

Following are the classes of vehicle for which a Driving Licence issued:

Motor cycle without gear,

Motor cycle with gear,

Invalid carriage,

Light motor vehicle,

 Transport vehicle,

Road-roller,

. Motor vehicle of a specified description.

There are two steps for eligibility to have a Driving Licence.

Step 1: Learner's Licence

Step 2: Main Driving Licence

A person below the age of 18 years is not eligible to apply for a Learner's Licence. However, a person completing the age of 16 years seligible to apply for a two wheeler without gear vehicle with the consent of parents or guardian The applicant is granted Learner's Licence if qualified in a preliminary test on traffic signals, road signs and road regulations. During the course of learning the learner has to display the letter 'L' in red on a white background in the front and rear of the vehicle. No person other than the instructor giving guidance should be sitting in to control the vehicle during leaming.

Upon gaining confidence in driving one becomes eligible to apply for the driving licence after 30 days from the date of issue of learner's licence. On successful completion of necessary test for driving one is granted the Driving Licence.

International Driving Permit: 

There is a provision in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 for granting International Driving Permit for Indian Citizens to drive in foreign countries. It is valid for 1 year only. One can apply in the prescribed form with the following details to the local District Transport Oficer,

1. Copy of Indian Driving Licence

2. Copy of Passport and Visa

3. 3 copies of recent passport photo

4. Medical certificate in prescribed form

5. Necessary fees

IF ACCIDENT OCCURS: 

The driver shall stop the vehicle forthwith. If any person is injured due to an accident, the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident shall take immediate measures to get medical treatment of the injured unless the injured person or his guardian desires otherwise. Inform the occurrence of the accident to the nearest police station as soon as possible, in any case within 24 hours and also to inform the insurer in writing.

Major Motor Vehicle Laws: 

1. Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

2. Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989

3. Assam Motor Vehicles Rules, 2003

4. Assam Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1936

5. Assam Motor Vehicles Taxation Rules, 1936

Documents of the vehicle to be carried

In case of non transport (personal) vehicle, one may require to produce the following valid documents of his vehicle on demand by authorised officials-

In case of Non-Transport (Personal) Vehicle:

1. Registration Certificate. 

2. Insurance Certificate.

3. Pollution under control certificate (if the vehicle is 1 year old from the date of initial registration).

4. Driving licence of the class of vehicle you are driving. In case of Transport (Commercial) vehicles:

1. Fitness Certificate

2. Up-to-date Road tax receipt or proof thereof

3. Permit

4. Conductor's licence in case of Bus

5. Any other documents as required by permit conditions. 

 Traffic Light :

At traffic points three kinds of lights are displyed:

red, amber (yellow-brown) and green.

FLASHING RED LIGHT: You must stop. Go ahead only when the road is clear. 

FLASHING AMBER LIGHT: Slow down and go ahead with care. 

STOP:

Red means stop. Stop before the stop line

BE ALERT:

Amber light means ready

PROCEED

Proceed slowly with caution. 

Road signs: 

Road signs can be referred to those signs which are displayed on the roadside to guide the pedestrians, cyclists and the vehicle drivers in the rules of the road or on the forthcoming road circumstances. The United Nations Economic Commission of Europe (UNECE) in 1947 made road safety as one of its prime concerns and formulated a Working Party on Road Traffic Safety known as W.P.1. On 19th Sep- tember, 1949, a treaty under the Convention on Protocol on Road Signs and Signals in Geneva was signed under the aegis of UNECE which came into force on 20th December, 1953. Subsequently, on 8th November, 1968 in Vienna during a Convention on Road Signs and Signals some amendments were incorporated and comprehen ve deliberations were made on Road Safety as this was important to as to have uniformity among the contracting parties on the usage of the signs.

Accordingly in India, uniform road signs are incorporated in Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

These Road signs are classified into three and these are:

1. Mandatory Road signs

2. Cautionary Road signs

3. Informatory Road Signs

MANDATORY ROAD SIGNS

These are generally in circular shape with red border ex- cept some are in blue colour. Violation of Mandatory Sign is an offence. 

CAUTIONARY ROAD SIGNS: 

These sign are indicated in triangular shape with red border. 

INFORMATORY ROAD SIGNS: 

These sign give information about facilities and these are normally blue in colour. 

Road Markings: 

Roundabout or Rotary

A roundabout means an intersection having a central traffic island. Always slowdown your

Road markings Roundabout or rotary

vehicle and use your indicator showing where you are proceeding. Where there is lane markings, use appropriate lane and maintain it. Remember, you must give way to other traffic on your right.

Zebra Crossing: 

This is called Zebra crossing drawn across the road. This is for pedestrians to cross the road from either side.

White Broken Line:

These white broken lines across the coad means that any motorist approaching it is to give preference to oncoming traffic

White or Stop Line: 

This white line is called stop line. This means, when you are signalled to stop, you are to stop just before the stopline and must not cross it. Generally such single or double stop line across the road is seen near junction or traffic light.

Lane Separator: 

These lines are lane separators on a road on same direction. To change lane give proper signal.

Road Markings

If there is a broken line with a solid line running alongside of the broken line then you are allowed to overtake on the broken side only and no overtaking is allowed on the side of the solid line.

If there is a broken line on a two way road, you are allowed to overtake giving proper signal with utmost care.

The yellow line along the edge of the road means you are not permitted to park your vehicle at all times.

Yellow Dividing Line:

 A road having a yellow line dividing the road means the vehicle overtaking an- other vehicle of same direction shall not cross the yellow line.

If there is a broken white line and changing into a solid white line then you must not overtake here till it change into the broken white line.

If you find a solid continu- ous white line, on a two way road, you must not overtake.

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣: 

Road safety is a shared responsibility as much as an individual one. Every action counts in averting accidents and saving lives, whether it's obeying road laws or utilizing safety equipment. All road users can contribute to a safer environment by exercising caution and conscientiousness, whether they are motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, or cars. Our efforts will be further enhanced by embracing emerging technologies and cultivating an awareness of road safety in society. Always keep in mind that your safe decisions on the road improve the health of our entire community. Let's prioritize road safety both now and in the future. Let's work together to reduce accidents and save lives on our roads. Remember safety starts with you.