WEEK 3: ROAD – TRAFFIC ACCIDENT (CAUSES AND PREVENTION)

                         WEEK 3

ROAD – TRAFFIC ACCIDENT (CAUSES AND PREVENTION)

Road accidents can occur as a result of conditions operating in the individual involved in the accident situation known as personal factor which includes:

·        Inadequate knowledge or ignorance

·        Improper attitude and habit

·        Insufficient skills.

·        Mechanical factors and carelessness

·        Unsafe environment and carelessness

Road accidents are accidents that occur on the highways, streets, pedestrian walkways such accidents occur from motor vehicle, bicycle, and motor bike, with our vehicles or pedestrians.

Road accident may involve person driving and his messengers or with some other person not in the vehicle or an object.

CAUSES OF RAOD/TRAFFIC ACCIDENT                    

Traffic accidents can occur as a result of conditions operating in the individual involved in the accident situation known as personal factors, our causes of road accident are:-

·     Inadequate knowledge or ignorance

·     Improper attitude and habit

·     Insufficient skills

·     Mechanical factor and carelessness

·     Unsafe environment and fatigue

·     Faulty vehicle.

·     Driving without safety accessories such as horn, bell side mirror, reflector, gear and brake lights.

·     Drunk driving

·     Over loading

·     Failure to obey road traffic rules or laws

·     Excessive speed

·     Bad conditions of road and vehicle etc

PREVENTIONS OF ROAD- TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

The prevention of road – traffic accidents lies in improving attitudes and behavior relating to safety and in reducing danger on the road.

The general measures adopted for road traffic accident prevention includes:-

1.   Regular maintenance and repair of traffic motor and cars.

2.   Vehicles should be fitted with safety accessories like, horns, traffic light indicator, brake light, reflector etc.

3.   Obey traffic rules and signs.

4.   Making use of seat belts.

5.   Avoidance of haste, confusion and procrastination.

6.   Avoid taking alcohol before driving

7.   Drive with consideration for other road users.

8.   Obey the approved speed limit for vehicles.

9.   Never drive under the influence of drug.

10.  Pedestrians should use the walkways instead of the road.

Evaluation Questions:

1. List 5 causes of road accident.

2. What is another name for road accident?

3.   What is the main cause of road accident?