The New Age Fight vs. Distracted Driving: Innovations & Solutions

As the world is moving forward with advanced technology, humans have become more smart at finding solutions to problems that have persisted for decades. But how have we not got the right trick to drive safely? Why are road accidents not decreasing even after terrifying statistics and various awareness programs? Is it the stubborn nature of humans who maybe still believe it is ‘cool’ to record videos on mobile phones while driving? Or do we feel we are over-talented and can drive away safely from a panic situation? Whatever the reason might be, the reality is that even after having technologically advanced vehicles and safety features installed, there are still millions of people who die every year in road accidents.

August is National Traffic Awareness Month when the Government and people try to put the spotlight on this very important issue. In 2021, 18 people died every hour due to a road accident as India recorded a total of 153,972 deaths caused by road accidents over the calendar year.The Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways released the data for 2022 which told that a total of 4,61,312 accidents were reported at the police stations all across the country, and in those accidents, 1,68,491 people lost their lives and 4,43,366 people were injured. These numbers are not unique in any manner as a similar number of accidents, deaths, and injuries are observed every year repeatedly and we fear they are only increasing with time. 

Data provided by the Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Who is Responsible?

A very simple and logical answer would be, ‘us’. Earlier speeding was the root cause of road accidents but with time and the invention of portable gadgets such as mobile phones, and smartwatches, they have emerged as another major contributor to accidents. It might feel that we are helpless with this problem given that there is no improvement in the statistics, but a research by SaveLife Foundation in 2017 gave an interesting perspective. It showed that between 40-50% of people answer calls while driving and do not stop at a safe space to answer the call. However, the research suggested that 96% of people as passengers feel unsafe when the driver uses their mobile phone while driving and 94% of people believe that using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous.

When we dive into these numbers, we know that the majority of people realise the dangers of distracted driving and won't appreciate their drivers breaking their focus when they are in the passenger seats. The number of these ‘aware’ people is almost double of those who use phones while driving which can be considered as a good sign when we are hoping for a change. 

Recent Government Initiatives

The Government of India has actively addressed the issue of road accidents. According to multiple reports, India witnesses the highest number of fatalities due to road accidents in the entire world. To tackle this issue the Government has taken many initiatives like:

1. Spreading awareness about road safety: Many awareness campaigns have been set up to incline people towards road safety. Electronic media, print media, and NGOs have been preferred mediums to spread the word. Along with this, road safety months and road safety weeks are organised in different states throughout the year where kids are engaged in poster making, slogan writing, and similar activities. Many events at schools are also arranged where kids are taught about the importance of road safety and are expected to share the learnings with their parents.
2. Making roads safer: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has marked identifying and rebuilding black spots on national highways as a high priority. The term ‘Black spots’ is used for the parts of a road where accidents keep happening frequently. These black spots are mainly sharp curves and corners in a straight road where oncoming traffic is not visible.
3. Introduced Good Samaritan law: The good Samaritan law encourages citizens to immediately help injured victims of road accidents by taking them to hospitals. Under this law such people who offer their help are safeguarded from police harassment, detention at hospitals and prolonged legal formalities.

What to do?

To change people, People are required; hence it was previously mentioned that it is a good sign to have people who are aware. While the Government does its best to ensure strict rules and enhance vigilance, let’s take up the social responsibility and contribute towards a change in the simplest ways. We can start with our close ones like our friends, family, spouse, parents, children, or drivers, we must ensure that we point out whenever they get distracted while driving and inform them about the terrible consequences. Tell them how a fraction of a second can cost them not only their life but others' lives as well. 

Precautions to be Taken

To avoid putting yourself at risk while driving, ensure that you are following the traffic rules and don’t engage with distracting elements like mobile phones and smart watches or eating a sandwich while you are incharge of the wheel. Driving rules are designed to ensure safety and by adhering to the basic rules of driving, you save yourself from big troubles. Some of the basic driving rules for safe driving are:

1. Focus on driving and stay alert. Be aware of how the surrounding traffic is around your car.
2. Do not exceed speed limits.
3. Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you, this will prevent a crash in case that vehicle applies an instant break.
4. Ensure that you use indicators correctly while making a turn or changing lanes.
5. Be patient with changing lanes, acknowledge the existence of blind spots and then change the lanes smoothly.
6. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are feeling sleepy, pullover at a parking spot and take a quick nap.
7. Drive slowly and use the lights when its raining or when fog is disturbing the visibility.  
8. Ensure your brakes and tyres are well maintained.
9. Always wear a seatbelt.
10. Last but not least, do not use high beams, they are extremely dangerous as they can temporarily blind the drivers of other cars. 

Redefining What’s Cool 

You might feel that these steps are too small to create an impact, but they will make you feel secure about the well-being of your close ones when they are hitting the road. It is time when safe driving becomes the new ‘cool’, imagine how graceful one would look with an uninterrupted focus on the road, the seatbelt would be shining like a sash, and the perfectly aligned mirrors would be combined so well with the correct use of indicators, that it would almost seem poetic. No more horns, no blocking the lane, give rest to your mobile phones, not using any gadget, and always stopping before grabbing a bite. It's time to make safe driving cool because we are too smart to keep things the old way. 

Drive Safe, and Stay Alive. 

Mobile phones probably don't give any thrill, but they can always kill.