Iron Box Can Take Your Life

Did you know that around 400 people die on Indian roads every day?

This may seem unbelievable, but the harsh reality is that it is true. As per data released by the government, more than 1.5 lakh people were killed on Indian roads in 2016. This is around 4 times the number of road deaths recorded in the United States in 2016.

Our roads have become the killing fields and the deaths occur due to a wide variety of reasons such as collisions, road rage, drunk driving, mechanical failure, over-speeding, etc. If you are not careful, the iron box you are driving can prove lethal. Cars do provide convenience and comfort, but if you don’t take precautions, your car will just be an iron box that can take your life.

Accidental deaths cause great pain and suffering for surviving family members. It can lead to both emotional and financial trauma, which can take several years to overcome. This is why it is important that you take measures to avoid being involved in road accidents. Here are some top recommendations that will keep you safe on the roads.

Don’t drink and drive: Even a couple of pegs of liquor or a pint or two of beer or a few glasses of wine can create enough disorientation to cause accidents. Never drink and drive. The best option is to use cab services like Uber or Ola.

Don’t play music in high volume: You may be having a great time, but not everyone on the road may share similar feelings. Your loud music can be irritatingto others and it might lead to fights with other people. You might get badly injured or lose your life.

Don’t fight with neighbors for parking: There are many cases where small fights have gotten escalated and resulted in death. If you have any parking issues with your neighbor, discuss the same with the society committee or file a complaint with the police. Don’t argue or fight with your neighbor, as it can get nasty.

Don’t do road rage: A number of road deaths are being caused due to road rage. Even small issues have led to people getting killed on the roads. Heavy traffic, pollution, and everyday stress have made people angry and it often leads to road rage. If you face any issues with anyone on the road, immediately dial 100 for help. Don’t get involved in arguments and fights.

Follow speed limit: You need to follow the stipulated speed limit to avoid accidents. For example, residential areas usually have a speed limit of 10-20 kmph. On highways, you may be required to follow the speed limit of 80-100 kmph. Don’t be in a rush to reach your destination, as it can risk the life of others and yours too.

Get your car checked regularly: You need to get your car serviced regularly to ensure that all its parts are working properly. Before you start your journey, check that all the critical components are working such as brakes, headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicator lights, wipers, etc.

Don’t use loud horns: The government has banned loud horns, so you should not be using them. If you get caught, you can be penalized. Also, loud horns can be irritating for other road users and it can cause accidents and road rage cases. Use only the company fitted horn provided with the car and use that minimally.

Don’t overtake from wrong side: Not following traffic rules is one of the major reasons for road accidents. Overtaking from the wrong side can increase the risk of accidents and road rage.

Don’t give car to minors: You want your children to have the best things in life, but you should never let your underage son/daughter drive your car. It is not only illegal, but also sets a bad precedent for children. Teenagers lack experience and they might get carried away and drive fast and in a rash manner, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.

Follow traffic rules: You should always follow traffic rules, irrespective of the road conditions or level of urgency. If you try to rush, you might get involved in an accident, which will cause further delays. “Better late than never” should be the policy when driving on roads.

Follow all safety methods: You should be aware of all the safety precautions you need to take while driving your car. For example, you need to remember things like wearing your seatbelt, being careful about blind spots, keeping focus on the road, being aware of people riding on the sides and back, and being watchful of pedestrian crossings.

Don’t use phone while driving: Using your phone while driving is an offence and you could get penalized for it. It also increases the risk of accidents. For urgent or important calls, you can use hands free, or park your car by the side of the road to take the call.

When you are driving, your focus should be completely on the road. Don’t be distracted by anyone or anything, as even a second of distraction can prove fatal. Also, keep emergency numbers handy, so that you can get quick assistance in case of any untoward incidents. If you follow the above guidelines, you can help contribute to make the roads safer and keep yourself, your family members, and road users out of harm’s way.