BANGALORE: The transport and police department of Karnataka government are organising ‘The road safety week’ during first week of January. In order to make this programme effective, the department attempts to convey message to the public about the road safety. The 10 important components of the road safety that can reduce road crashes, deaths, hospitalisations and disabilities are conveyed at the event.Data from Bangalore Road Safety and Injury prevention programme indicates that the current usage of helmet is approximately 62 per cent in the city of Bangalore. Among the users, 53 per cent were wearing full face helmets,eleven per cent wearing half face helmets and 31 per cent wearing open top or construction hat helmets. Data also shows that among the deaths and hospitalisation of two wheeler riders only 44 per cent and five per cent respectively, had worn helmets at the time of crash.Seat belts are important in providing protection for the car occupants. Data from the observational surveys of 1689 car drivers indicate that the current rate of seat belt use in Bangalore was 17 per cent with observations made in select locations.Increasing rate of drink and driving has led to the increasing number of accidents in the city. Several studies in the past few years have shown that the 20 per cent of hospitalised patients were under alcohol influence at the time of injury. Recent observation surveys with Bangalore city traffic police have shown that among those tested with the breath analyser 38 per cent were under the influence of alcohol.With regard to the pedestrian safety, the survey indicates that 30-40 per cent of people killed and injured are pedestrians and their safety should be given highest importance.In a study done at 82 locations by examining the pedestrian behaviours of 30,000 people, it is observed that only 43 per cent cross the roads at the time of green traffic lights. 17 per cent were crossing at all locations, 34 per cent crossed during the red lights and six per cent did not even cross when there was a green light.Increasing speeds on the roads of Bangalore has been one of the causes of road crashes along with overtaking from the wrong side.Crashes occurring at high speed result in greater transfer of mechanical energy and when this exceeds the physiological tolerance of body, results in death and severe injuries.Distracted driving due to cell phone use is becoming an important cause of road crashes, which includes hands free mobiles.The data indicates that nearly 10-20 per cent of people use cell phones while driving and among them more that 2/3 talk and walk or talk and drive. Parents need to be informed about the child safety in cars. They should be informed that young children should not be carried in the front seat of cars. Poor visibility is also one of the important factors contributing to the road accidents.Visibility on roads can be improved by city authorities with good reflective paints on all roads.Maintaining safe distance between vehicles and use of indicators at all times of changing the lane or taking turns should be strongly encouraged with strong messages.As this is difficult to enforce on all roads, public education is helpful in this regard.
Comments
0 comment