According to a study conducted by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), India loses USD 58 billion in a year due to road accidents. The value is equivalent to nearly 3% of the country’s GDP. Moreover, majority of the road accidents happen due to over-speeding.
Effective measures, such as imposing stricter penalties and mandating carmakers to add safety features in vehicles, have been taken by the government. However, it’s also our responsibility to abide by the traffic rules and regulations while driving. While it would be a good idea to opt for an health insurance , it is also advisable to know how to avoid accidents due to over-speeding.
Drive Under the Speed Limit
Over-speeding is cited to be the most common reason for majority of road accidents. Although, it may give bouts of adrenaline or help you reach your destination faster, it is illegal as well as lethal. The most effective way to avoid accidents is to drive under the prescribed speed limit.
Whereas, driving safely makes you feel in control and responsible for your driving. It also, automatically, curbs the urge to speed. Although, an personal accident insurance policy would help you take care of the monetary consequences, it is more important to be a responsible citizen and drive within the speed limits to avoid accidents.
Do Not Drink and Drive
Drinking and driving not only leads to over-speeding but also results in slowing of one’s reflexes while driving. Driving under the influence of illegal substances such as drugs or alcohol is a punishable offence. Despite being aware of these facts, people drink and drive on several occasions. In addition, the culture of corruption and bribing the officials, contributes to the casual attitude towards drunk driving.
However, with government taking stricter actions in the form of hefty fines and imprisonment of minimum 6 months, there has been a sharp decline in these cases. It is strictly advisable to refrain from consuming any illegal substance while driving to avoid accidents. In case, you feel the urge to drink and have to drive back home, then request your friends or acquaintances to drop you to your place.
Avoid Speeding on City Roads
The congested roads, pollution and traffic in cities often result in spending more time sitting inside the car and becoming frustrated. Due to this, people often over-speed to skip signals or to overtake other vehicles. This results in collision with other cars or pedestrians. According to government data, 133 two-wheeler occupants and nearly 10 cyclists were killed daily in road accidents in 2017. This data also sheds light on the need of a suitable car insurance policy, which is mandatory by law.
Also, new drivers feel the urge to speed their cars to showcase their newly-acquired driving skill, which often results in grave accidents. It is important to not give in to frustration and speed on city roads to skip signals or to show-off your driving skills. When driving, keep calm, and put on some music to keep yourself engaged and avoid accidents.
Avoid Racing with Others
It is thrilling to speed and race with other cars, however, doing so could lead to penalties, accidents and, maybe, even cancellation of driving license. There are places for driving at high speed, however, public or city roads are not one of them.
Racing with other cars on public roads is not only dangerous to the people in the vehicle but also to the pedestrians, who are most vulnerable on roads. Hence, it is important to be mindful of the places or the city zones one is driving through, in order to adhere to speed limits and avoid accidents. Racing with other cars on public roads is not only dangerous to the people in the vehicle but also to the pedestrians, who are most vulnerable on roads. Hence, it is important to be mindful of the places or the city zones one is driving through, in order to adhere to speed limits and avoid accidents.
Leave On Time to Reach On Time
In this fast-paced environment, people are always running late to reach their destinations. Due to poor infrastructure, congestion and traffic many get late for their appointments/meetings, etc. These instances, encourages them to over-speed, cut lanes and overtake other vehicles.
Although, these tricks can save them a couple of minutes, they often result in accidents. It is important for people to realize that reaching somewhere on time by rash driving and over-speeding can cost them their lives.
Hence, one should make sure that they plan their appointments/ meetings well in advance and keep enough buffer time to reach their destination. This will not only curb their urge to over-speed but also avoid accidents.