Reduce Your Risk: Strategies to Prevent Road Accidents

Become a safer driver and reduce your risk on the road. Explore our guide for practical ways to avoid accidents.

Road accidents are an unfortunate and alarmingly common reality on Indian roads. These accidents result in severe injuries, fatalities, and immense emotional and financial distress. While many factors contribute to road safety, a significant portion of the responsibility lies with individual drivers, pedestrians, and other road users.

By understanding the causes of road accidents and implementing safe practices, we can collectively work towards minimising their occurrence.

Top Ways to Stay Safe on the Road

Follow Traffic Rules

Obeying traffic rules is the first step to road safety. Follow speed limits, stop at red lights and stop signs, yield to pedestrians, and never drive if you have been drinking or are drowsy. Seemingly small things like using turn signals, wearing your seat belt, and keeping a safe distance between you and other vehicles can help know how to never get into a car accident.

Avoid Distractions

Keep your full attention on the road. Don’t text, make calls, change the radio station, or do anything else that takes your mind and eyes off driving. Even a split second of distraction can lead to an accident. Pull over first if you need to do something like enter an address into your GPS.

Drive Defensively

You can’t control other drivers, but you can anticipate dangerous situations before they happen. Keep your eyes moving, check mirrors frequently, and leave extra distance between you and surrounding vehicles so you have time to react in an emergency. Be cautious passing other vehicles or changing lanes. Defensive driving skills can help avoid accidents even when others make mistakes.

Get Enough Rest

Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous and causes thousands of accidents each year. Ensure you rest well before hitting the road, especially for long drives. If you feel sleepy while driving, pull over for a power nap, drink some caffeine, or switch drivers if you have someone with you. It’s not worth risking your life and knowing how to avoid pedestrian accidents.

Service Your Vehicle Regularly

A well-maintained vehicle is a safe vehicle. Get regular oil changes, brake inspections, tyre rotations, and other services as recommended by your owner’s manual. Check tyre pressure, fluid levels, and headlights regularly and before long trips. Don’t ignore the “check engine” light—have the vehicle serviced right away. A mechanical failure while driving can easily lead to a crash.

The Do's and Dont’s in case of a Road Accident

Road safety is in your hands. Understanding the right actions and the dangers to avoid is crucial for preventing accidents. Here's your essential guide to staying safe on the road:

Let’s Get Started with the Don’t’s

Here are a few things to keep in mind that you must absolutely avoid to be safe -

Don’t Run Away or Speed Away from the Scene

Even if the accident is not serious, never (and we cannot emphasise enough, NEVER) flee from an accident scene you are involved in. The worst is that you are abandoning casualties that can be saved. Also, if you run, you are bound to be charged with Hit and Run. This could result in imprisonment.

Don’t Panic

Yes, this is a serious situation. However, you can help others only if you try to stay calm and think straight. Panicking will only make the situation much worse. Take a few deep breaths and try to assess the situation. Check if anyone needs immediate medical help. If yes, call for an ambulance right away. Your composed behaviour can make a huge difference in such scenarios.

Dont’s for Physical Injuries

• Don't Remove the Stabbed Object: Removing it only worsens the bleeding. The object is the only thing obstructing the blood flow. It is best to leave this job to a medical professional.
• Don't Try to Move an Injured Person’s Neck: In case of a serious accident, you may detect a spinal injury by looking at a person's neck. If it is at an unnatural angle, do not try to move that person. Any jerky movements can lead to permanent paralysis. Wait for the emergency responders to handle the situation.
• Don’t Feed Food or Liquids To The Injured: As it would be hard to determine the extent of a person's injuries, it is best not to feed them on the accident spot. They could choke or be unable to chew food due to injuries to the jaw. Only offer water if the person is alert and requests it, but do so very carefully under guidance.
• Don't Blame Anyone for The Accident: You might have suffered injuries and damages due to the accident. However, blaming the other person will only add to the panic caused by the accident. Apportioning blame should be left to the authorities. Your topmost priority should be getting medical help.

Don't Accept a Settlement Without an Insurance Representative

The third-party may offer low-cost settlements if the accident was not your fault. This does not serve the purpose of car insurance. Never accept verbal-on-the-spot settlements. Consult your insurance provider before agreeing to any compensation. They can determine if the amount offered is fair and help you negotiate a better deal.

Things one should DO after a road accident

In the aftermath of an accident, these actions are critical to protect yourself and others:

• Check Yourself and Others for Injuries: Make sure you and any passengers are unharmed. Check on other vehicles involved, too. Call out to see if emergency help is needed.
• Control Bleeding: Apply pressure to any open wounds using cloth or fabric. Press firmly for 10-20 minutes continuously.
• Call for Help: Shout out “help” loudly to alert passersby. Have someone call emergency services right away and provide the exact location details.
• Notify Police and Insurance: Report the accident immediately to the authorities and your insurance provider. They will advise on the next steps.
• Document the Scene: Take photos of vehicle damage and the surrounding area. Get contact information for any witnesses. This evidence will help determine fault.

Bottom Line

Road safety is a shared responsibility. Following these guidelines will not eliminate all risks, but it will significantly improve your chances of staying safe on the roads. Every time you exhibit responsible behaviour—whether driving, cycling, or walking - you contribute to a safer environment for everyone.

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