According towards the Secretary of state for Road Transport and Highways, India makes up about about 12.5% of road accidents worldwide. The number of road fatalities is more than 1.45 lakhs each year and one accident occurs every four minutes . The numbers are alarming. As the quantity of vehicles has grown on Indian roads, the amount of road accidents and fatalities has also gone up. Some common causes which lead to road accidents involve the following –
1. Speeding – driving at high speed levels for seeking thrill in order to reach somewhere quickly
2. Driving while impaired of alcohol and/or drugs
3. Talking on the phone when driving the vehicle
4. Violating safety rules like not wearing helmets when driving bikes or otherwise wearing seatbelts in cars
5. Violating traffic rules – not stopping the vehicle on 'red' traffic light, driving the alternative means by one-way lanes, etc.
6. Giving your automobile to minors who have no driving license and experience to drive the automobile safely
Any of those reasons can lead to a mishap which may not only cause severe injuries and/or death for you, it might also damage the vehicle involved.
Watch a relevant video on the top common cause of road accidents in India :
How to prevent road accidents
Some safety tips and tricks are you have to avoid causing or just being involved with road accidents. These pointers are listed below –
– Follow safety measures
Safety rules and measures exist for just one specific purpose – to reduce the possibility of accidents. They should, therefore, 't be ignored. Always stick to the safety rules when driving. Don't talk on the phone, wear a helmet or a seatbelt, install airbags in your cars and try everything possible which makes driving safe.
– Follow traffic rules
Violating traffic rules not only cause accidents, they incur heavy fines too. Do you want to pay such fines?
Always follow traffic rules to guard yourself from hefty fines and also to avoid possible accidents.
– Have a valid driving license before you drive
A valid driving license is essential for driving the automobile. Because the license is issued to adults after imparting ability to drive, it helps to ensure that the individual holding the license is aware concerning the basic traffic rules and safety measures. If you are caught without a license, you face severe fines. So, make sure you have a valid driving license before you decide to head out to drive an automobile.
– Don't drink and drive
Alcohol and driving don't go hand in hand. If you have been drinking it is best to have a cab instead of drive because driving while impaired has a high possibility of accidents.
These measures help you avoid road accidents. However, despite observing all safety tips, accidents can occur due to uncontrolled elements. For example, if you're driving safely but a drunk driver rams into your vehicle, there'd be considered a major accident. Similarly, if the tyres of your vehicle burst or even the brakes fail, accidents are unavoidable. As a result, insurance turns into a necessary requirement. There are two insurance policies that really help you cope with the implications of a road accident. They are –
i. Motor insurance
ii. Personal accident insurance
Motor insurance policies are mandatory as per law. Every vehicle should have a valid car insurance policy cover to be eligible to operate on Indian roads. Poor motor insurance policies, a comprehensive policy is usually recommended. The policy not only covers the mandatory 3rd party liability, it also pays for the damages suffered through the vehicle.
Besides the mandatory motor insurance policy, a personal accident policy also turns out to be a tremendous help against road accidents. The policy covers accidental deaths, accidental permanent disablements as well as temporary total disablement due to an accident. As a result, the insurance policy helps in looking after the financial loss you suffer within an accidental contingency. The premiums are low and the policy may also be enhanced to cover medical expenses through extensions available.
You now be aware of reasons of road accidents as well as the tricks to avoid them. Along with knowing the tips, you should also purchase a motor insurance and personal accident insurance policy to be ready if the accidental contingency does strike. After all, it is always better to be ready, is it not?
