Road Traffic Accident ( R T A) & Safety Measures for RTA

Road Traffic Accidents are unfortunately extremely common and the injuries can vary from minor to fatal injuries, more than 1.2 million people are killed in Road Accidents, worldwide, every year. One child is killed in Road Accidents, every three minutes in the World. Total worldwide death toll of Tsunami of 2004 was about 230,000. But the annual worldwide death toll of Road Accidents is 1,200,000!!! i.e. more than five times the Tsunami toll What to Do at a Road Traffic Accident (RTA)?

According WHO, nearly 3400 people die on the world's roads every day, Tens of millions of people are injured or disabled every year. Children, pedestrians, cyclists and older people are among the most vulnerable of road users (http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic/en/)

It is better to be safe than to be sorry. Prevent accidents by taking all the precautions you can.

Safety Measures for RTA

1. As it is said that speed thrills but also kills. For better control of the vehicle limit your speed. Find out what causes you to speed up?  Is there an urge to speed when you have a driver close behind?  Or, is it an effort to keep up with the traffic flow. Or, do you simply enjoy over-taking? It is especially important to lower speed while nearing schools, on narrow roads, hilly areas, rural areas and when visibility is poor. Wet roads and speed is a perfect recipe for an accident.
2. Traffic rules have been designed with safety foremost in mind. It takes into account safety for all, including pedestrians. Follow the lane, and keep the required distance between vehicles.  It is important to display appropriate indications/signals especially while changing lanes or before a turn. Respect for other drivers on the road is sacrosanct to road safety.
3. Seat belts are lifesaving. A statistic exposed that 63% who died in accidents had not fasten on their seat belts. Lap-shoulder belt systems cut the risk of serious injury and fatality by 50 percent. Seat belts help in protecting the internal organs in a crash as it restrains the forward movement of the body to a great extent. It protects against head and neck injuries by minimizing head contacts and keeps the passenger in place. 
4. Pedestrians and children come first – Preference to be given to pedestrians and children while they cross the road.
5. Caution signs are very important as they warn about accident prone spots so that the driver can reduce the speed of the vehicle.  Signboards on the road are vital clues about road design so that the person behind the wheel can exercise caution. 
6. Anti-skid breaks system in the cars can reduce the risk of car skidding especially in rain or snowy environment. 
7. Air bags in vehicles are also reducing the impact in case of accidents and provide safety for skull injury. 
8. Reflectors must be used on the back of the vehicle and ensure all lamps are in working condition. Hazard lamp should be switched on when the vehicle is parked especially on a highway. 
9. Vehicle must be in good working condition- there should be no compromise on the quality of brakes and tyres. Further, it is imperative to inflate tyres with the right air pressure to avoid tyre bursts on road. 
10. Don’t use drugs and alcohol while driving.  Drugs and alcohol can slow down reflexes, disrupt accurate judgments, and cause mental alertness to dip. They have been the reason behind many fatal road accidents. 
11. Drivers must rest well as the lack of it can have an adverse effect on mental alertness, slow down reflexes, and even cause brief sleepiness while driving, which can follows an incident. Falling asleep behind the wheel has led to many grave mishaps on the road.
12. Don't Use Cell phone as it divert your attention or focus which leads to any incident.

The Road Ahead

Road safety is a collective effort of the government and people. While the government administration must leave no stone un-turned in ensuring proper condition of the roads and enforcing strict adherence to traffic rules, responsible driving and the right attitude of people with respect to traffic rules   is perhaps the first step on the long road to 100% safety on the roads.

Roads should be in good condition with proper sign boards. It is vital to install reflectors on roads so that deviations and medians are clearly visible to drivers.

Miscellaneous

If possible, and if necessary, collaborate with the rescuers and with the judicial authorities and experts in charge of the investigation. Make sure your car is parked safely at a safe distance from traffic. Hazard flashers must be switched on. Switch off ignition on crashed vehicles, and ensure that they cannot move. Keep clear if a vehicle is on fire, or if there are fallen electricity wires. Safety must be the first concern.

Check to see if anyone is injured. Do not attempt to move a casualty unless the person is in immediate danger or if it is necessary to clear the airway or give expired air or cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( CPR ) if necessary. Splint any fractures before the casualty is moved, if possible. Drag the casualty clear by the clothing on the shoulders if this can be done, or else by the wrists or the feet, moving backwards, sliding the casualty gently. Keep the casualty as horizontal to the ground as is practical, taking care to avoid injuring the neck or back, or allowing the head to bump. If possible, remove the object crushing a crush casualty. Send for emergency services immediately.

When accident occurs (Safety Measures after an accident)

• Keep calm and avoid panic to the extent possible, help out the victim more effectively.
• If possible, activate the Highway Authorities , Rescue Services  or Emergency Services and follow the process they instructed on Call by Emergency Medical Dispatcher ( EMD ).
• Follow the captain's (or driver's) orders and those of the crew.
• As soon as the crash or shipwreck occurs, try to free yourself from the wreck and to escape quickly from the wreckage, especially if there is a danger of fire or dangerous leaks. Seek refuge at a sufficient distance.
• In case of a major accident occurring in a road with traffic, direct the traffic whilst taking care of your own safety (signal and mark the accident spot).
• Do not touch or move the seriously wounded unless there is a risk of fire or toxic fumes.
• It is the duty of witnesses to alert the rescue services and to give them the exact location and nature of the accident, the type of vehicle involved, the characteristics (code number) of any dangerous substances and the likely number of victims. Witnesses should also give their names and addresses.

After the accident

• Keep calm and avoid panic.
• Follow the instructions of the intervening bodies and of the rescue personnel if they are present.
• Place any unconscious victim in the stable side position. Check airway, breathing and pulse and if necessary give expired air or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Check unconscious casualties for bleeding and try to control by direct pressure and activate Chain of Survival.
• Speak reassuringly to conscious victims, making them comfortable, monitor breathing & control bleeding.
• Multiple victims must be checked individually for indications of shock, including any who may be wandering around.
• Cover casualties with light blanket or clothing, but do not give anything to eat or drink.
• If a bystander or assistant is available, send such a person to call Emergency Medical services, giving precise location and nature of accident, with the number and severity of injuries; whether anyone is trapped and what special services are needed. The first aider should stay with the casualties until help arrives.

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