Question

Describe the risk factors that affect road traffic accident involvement by at least 250 words

note:

when found the answer pleas right on computer ..

Answer 1

According to World Health Organisation(WHO),approximately 1.35 million people die each year due to road

traffic accidents. More than half of all road traffic accidents are among pedestrians,cyclists and motor cyclists.Non-fatal injuries

are reported between 20 and 50 million people.

RISK FACTORS AFFECTING ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

• Speed

The core problem of road traffic accident is the speed of the motor vehicles.It is found that every 1% increase in total speed produces 4% increase in the fatal crash risk and a 3% increase in the serious crash risk. If the speed of the vehicle is high,the driver get only a shorter time to stop the vehicle to avoid a crash.

• Presence of Alcohol

​​​​​​​Drivers whose blood alcohol content greater than zero is of higher risk of a crash.They also cause pedestriants and motorcyclists at risk of accident.Driving under the influence of alcohol is seen mostly in teenagers than older ones.If they have passengers in the vehicle,are more prone to accidents than driving alone.

• Non-use of helmets,seat belts and child restraints

​​​​​​​Use of helmets,reduces the risk of fatal injuries to 42%,wearing seat belts to 45% and wearing child restraints to 60%.Non-use of helmets increases the risk of head injuries 3 times compared to wearing of helmets.Child passengers rarely wear helmets, or wear adult helmets that do not adequately protect them.Young male drivers are more prone to get accidents due to non-use of seat belts.Correctly used seat belts reduce the risk of death in a crash to 60%. Child restraints are also important to prevent death and fatal injuries in children who are victims of road traffic accidents.

• Driver sleepiness

Driver sleepiness is as a result of long -distance driving,lack of sleep,and disruption of circardian rhythms.The high risks are 16-29 years old young ones and those who are working at night for long.

• Distracted driving

​​​​​​​Driving using mobile phones causes distraction which is one of the main reason for road traffic accidents.It affects the driver performance in maintaining correct position on the lane,in keeping an appropriate speed,and in judging safe gap between the vehicles.

• Road related and vehicle related factors

​​​​​​​Unsafe road infrastructure plays an important role in road traffic accidents.The roads should be designed in such a way promoting safety of all road users.Vehicle related factors include braking,handling and maintenance.Lack of air-bags and seat- belts too considerably increase the risk of deaths in a road traffic accident.

• Inadequate enforcement of Traffic laws

​​​​​​​If traffic laws are not strictly enforced,it will influence the behaviour of the driver and the cool,law-free driving would result in accidents.Enforcing appropriate penalities for rash driving only increase the awareness.

• Inadequate visibility

​​​​​​​Environmental factors like fog,darkness,makes it difficult to see the near and rear vehicles which would likely cause road traffic accidents.