Road Accidents By Alida Jones
Research during the mid 70’s and 80’s found that by lowering the speed brought along a
decrease in fatal road accidents. We should also note that very high levels of self-discipline and self-regulation amongst South-African road users accompanied by a high level of law enforcement, strongly contributed to the lower accident rate. Speeding is one of the biggest factors of fatal accidents. Speeding increases the risk of being involved in a crash as well as the severity of a crash, should it happen.
There are five different types of Road Traffic Accidents:
Same direction group
- Head-Rear (15% of all accidents)
- Right-turn same direction (0, 8% of all accidents)
- Left-turn same direction (0, 4% of all accidents)
- Side-swipe same direction (5% of all accidents)
Opposite direction group
- Head-On (4% of all accidents)
- Side-swipe opposite direction (5% of all accidents)
- Right-turn opposite direction (3% of all accidents)
Right Angle group
- Right angle both straight (6% of all accidents)
- Right angle one turn (2% of all accidents)
Reversing and Parking group
- Reversing (0,7% of all accidents)
- Parked vehicle (0.5% of all vehicles)
Pedestrian, Bicycle, Animal. Vehicle Overturn and Fixed object group
- Pedestrian, bicycle, animal (37% of all accidents)
- Single vehicle overturned (12% of all accidents)
- Single vehicle- object fixed (6% of all accidents)
More than 95% of all road accidents happen as a result of a traffic offence. Most accidents can be attributed to 2 or more simultaneous offences.
Generally human factors such as non-adherence to traffic rules and aggressive, reckless, negligent and inconsiderate driver behaviour are major contributory factors, contributing
about 70% to 80 to all accidents.
These include driving to fast for circumstances and alcohol. Vehicle factors
which contribute between 10% and 15% to accidents include poor lights, smooth or damaged tyres and poor brakes.
Road and environment factors such as no, poor, inadequate and damaged signs, poor maintenance, lack of fencing resulting in animals on the road contributes 5% to 10%.
NON-WEARING OF SEATBELTS INCREASE THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS
INJURY BY BETWEEN 40% AND 50% IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
Tips to avoid an accident:
- Correct following distance
- Correct speed
- Don’t drink and drive
- Wear your seatbelt
- Make sure your vehicle is road worthy
- Communicate with other road users using your indicators
- Obey the rules of the road
Traffic offences that lead to accidents:
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Not only will these offences lead to fines but could cost your life or that of someone else
A ROAD ACCIDENT IS SOMEONE’S FAULT
DON’T LET IT BE YOURS
