Road accidents on surge... Are we ready for more?

Every year more than 1.2 million people die in road crashes around the world. This is an estimate given by World Health Organization (WHO). Millions of people are crippled or injured in the road accidents. The majority of these deaths occur in developing countries.
The obvious reason for these ever-increasing road accidents is huge increase in motorization in developing nations.
The pace with which the road accidents are increasing can lead to the death-toll by unimaginable numbers in the nearby future unless urgent action is taken. Presently, the road crashes are the world’s 10th leading cause of death and is estimated to become grab the sixth position by 2020.
We all don’t share the same road cultures and most of us are not aware of the road cultures of different countries. While planning for the trip, we people remember all things but rarely do we think of road safety measures. Bella Dinh-Zarr, North American director for Make Roads Safe rightly said:
People prepare for all kinds of things when they travel, what they’ll eat, what they’ll drink but (road safety) is this hidden danger they don’t often think of.
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There are many websites that can help you with the information regarding the road culture of different countries. ASIRT Web site is one such example, which can give you information regarding variety of driving styles in more than two dozen countries. This site can give you the detailed information by offering regularly updated Road Reports for approximately 150 countries. Also, there is an online library on overseas road safety maintained by the State Department.
These sites are definitely helpful in getting knowledge about the safety rules and road cultures of different places but you need to keep many more things in mind before you start your journey. For example:
�If you’re renting a car, it should be equipped with appropriate safety features. You need to check the tyres, headlights and wipers before you start your journey.
�In case, you’re using commercial transportation, you should avoid the taxis without seat-belts and overloaded buses.
�Avoid driving while you’re drunk.
�Driving at night can also be risky, so you should avoid driving at night time.
Wherever you are little awareness and these safety measures kept in mind while on move can help you manage the risks and avoid the road crashes, lowering death and injury toll on the world’s roads. Have a safe journey!
Image Credit
Source: MSNBC
Tags: World Health Organization, Bella Dinh-Zarr, Road Accidents, Travel