Accidents

Today, road traffic accidents are by far the commonest cause of death by injury. And when travelers are abroad, they should not assume they are safe because they can be injured as passengers, pedestrians or cyclists.

Add to these the poor condition of roads, failure of people adhering to traffic rules, speeding, road rage, and poor maintenance of vehicles, absence of a ruling on wearing safety belts, and drunken drivers, often under aged.

Deaths by injury in accidents are further augmented by the fact that rescue and emergency medical facilities are not available at the scene of accident. This increases the incidence of mortality caused by road traffic accidents.

Causes of road accidents: The causes of road accidents are:

  • Lack of judgment at intersections: According to studies, over 65% of accidents in cities take place at intersections because people drive rashly.
  • Lack of concentration: Inattention to one’s own driving and watching the other cars and pedestrians can cause an unnecessary accident.
  • Cars too close to each other: Keep to the statutory distance behind the car in front of you, as going too close to it is sure to cause an accident.
  • Cars not serviced: Put your car through its regular checkups so that it continues to be roadworthy.
  • Rash driving in different terrain: Be careful when you drive on ice, fog, snow, and rain where you need to exercise greater care and caution.
  • Exceeding speed limits: Going over the speed limit reduces reaction time and increases impact and injuries.
  • Rash lane changes: By not checking all mirrors and signals before changing lanes, an accident can take place.


How to report an accident: Here’s what you should do to report an accident:

  • Check that the name, addresses and phone numbers of the vehicle owner, his policy number, insurance company and name of the person the policy is in are all available
  • If the driver of the car is not its registered owner, ask for the name, address and telephone number of the owner
  • Note the date and time of the accident, and its location
  • Note the make and model of the car, its color and license plate number
  • Take down the number and name of all the passengers in the car with their telephone numbers and home addresses
  • Also take down the name of the responding police and fire ambulance and report the number
  • Draw a diagram of the road where the accident took place, and describe the weather, traffic flow, signs, etc.
  • Ask witnesses for their names, addresses and telephone numbers


What to do if you are party to an accident:

  • Stay at the scene of accident-don’t flee
  • Call a doctor or ambulance service, if you find injuries
  • Call the police
  • If both drivers are involved in a collision, they must each give the other their drivers’ license numbers and pertinent insurance information in writing, license plate number and registered owner information.
  • Report the accident replete with collision with personal injury details to the police and insurance company immediately. Don’t pay the other driver cash to the other driver involved in the accident.
  • Look for eyewitnesses

    • With these precautions, you should be able to avert accidents and be more aware of your environment when driving.