Road Safety's Most Important Elements in G1 Test Questions

The traffic on the roads was reduced in the past few years due to the Corona-19 pandemic. However, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.2 million passengers and people lose their lives in road accidents each year worldwide. Up to fifty million get injured due to vehicle collisions and road accidents every year. More than 1740 people lost their lives in Canada alone in the year 2020, while 7868 got seriously injured. Thousands of vehicles are being added to roads every year in the country and the world. Therefore, the situation related to accidents, fatalities, and injuries may even worsen if proper care and precaution are not exercised.

Important Elements of Road Safety

Some of the most crucial elements of road safety that every responsible driver, citizen, and the person using the road should practice and follow are listed and described in brief below. You can also find these rules in our G1 test questions provided in our G1 practice test section.

Seat Belt Usage

People may get overconfident about their safety when they are in their cars, SUVs, and other kinds of closed-shell vehicles being in a shell of strong and tensile steel. However fatal injuries may occur during vehicular collisions and those inside the car and other automobiles may fail to find a rescue. It is important to use seat belts when you drive a car. Apart from the driver, the passengers should also use and wear their seat belts during travel. Estimates reveal that the use of seat belts alone may reduce the fatality rate by more than 47%. It also reduces the chances of injury by more than 50%. All the newly manufactured vehicles in Canada come with three-point seat belts, along with seat belt pre-tensioners. The pre-tensioner will remove the belt slack automatically during impact. Using a seat belt while driving cars and other vehicles is also mandatory following the law.

Never Drive Aggressively

Some of the instances of aggressive driving include tailgating, running the red lights, speeding beyond the permitted limit, haphazardly driving in traffic, and not providing others the right of way, among other wrong behaviors. According to a report on Canadian traffic injuries and accidents, up to 19% of all serious injuries and 27% of all fatalities on road occur due to over speeding and crossing the permissible speed limit. Speeding is a cause of 80% of deaths in young adult passengers, due to vehicular collisions. Also, high-speed vehicular collisions occur primarily in urban areas. In most cases, such speeding drivers are also drunk and intoxicated with alcohol beyond the permitted limit. Another survey reveals that if you reduce your speed by only 1%, you can reduce your risk of a fatal accident by 5%. While driving, it is always important to drive within limits and never over speed. Furthermore, there are also speed cameras installed at various places (while not being in plain view) and you may be noticed and get fined for over speeding.

Never Drive Under the Influence of Alcohol (Drinking and Driving)

Consuming alcohol beyond the limit will impair your cognitive functions so you are not able to control your vehicle completely. According to the law, you are not fit for driving if there are more than eighty milligrams of alcohol in one hundred milliliters of your blood during driving. It is also a criminal offense and a violation of the traffic law following the criminal code system of Canada. A survey reveals that more than 40% of fatal accidents and injuries occur to drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol and are in an inebriated state while driving.

Never Drive Under the Influence of Drugs

Intoxication due to a drug can also impair your cognitive function so that you cannot have full control of the vehicle you are driving. The drugs being abused include illegal drugs (for instance marijuana), over-the-counter drugs (for instance cold medicines), as well as prescription drugs (for instance valium). Drug intoxication reduces the reaction time of drivers in the same way alcohol does. One-third of all fatal injuries that occur due to vehicular collisions occur due to drug intoxication. Many of the drivers who face accidents are high on drugs as well. You must ensure that you are always driving without being affected by any intoxicant (whether drug or alcohol).

Never Drive When Tired/ Suffering from Health Issues

You should not be driving a vehicle even when you have a driving license and a permit if you are facing health issues that can impact your driving skills adversely. You should also avoid driving if you are tired. Your reaction time to circumstances is negatively affected when you are tired or facing health issues. Your cognitive functionality and the functioning of the brain may not be normal as well. You can arrange for yourself for a paid driver (commercial cab service) or you can ask for the help of your friend, colleague, or family member in case of an emergency. It is always better to be late than never to reach the destination at all.

Never Be Distracted While Driving

Smartphones and mobiles have made our life effortless in many scenarios. The more expensive ones are also seen as a symbol of status. However, using a smartphone during driving can be an invitation to accidents and even death. Such use of smartphones is not only dangerous for you but also for other road users. Do remember that there are always more vulnerable people (including cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists) on the road. Mobile phone use during driving can be a cause of distraction and accidents. You should also try not to be distracted by any other activity while driving. When you are distracted, your attention is diverted from driving. It reduces decision-making capability, awareness, and/or performance. It can result in near crashes or even fatal crashes. Apart from smartphones and mobiles, you may also be distracted when:

• Using any other electronic device such as DVD and CD player, GPS, and laptop, among others.
• Drinking or eating.
• Grooming
• Reading directions and maps.
• Having a conversation with fellow passengers or attending to the pets or children.
• Any incident or activity that occurs outside your vehicle (for instance police activity or collision).
• Distractions (or even sudden breakdowns) that occur in the vehicle due to its improper/ irregular care and maintenance.

Conclusion

Following the traffic/road safety laws, road signs, traffic signals, instructions of the traffic control officer, and driving within the speed limits is an essential responsibility of any person who is using a road. Ensure that you are attentive and focused enough while driving. All other activities can wait for a while. Any compromise may result in grave consequences. Also, before you hit the road ensure that your vehicle and you are in a proper state.