Road Safety Strategies Reduce Risks
Roads are essential to our everyday lives, says Regent Taxis Pte Limited director, Sumeet Sagar Chandra. “We are all road users, be it as pedestrian, cyclist, driver or motorcyclist,” Mr Chandra said.
“We all depend on roads to obtain goods and services and also to get to where we want to go.
“At the same time we are also exposed to the risk of using our roads.”
However, Mr Chandra said road deaths and injuries were not inevitable.
“The last few decades have demonstrated that effective and comprehensive road safety strategies can reduce the number of people killed or injured on the road, despite increasing traffic levels,” Mr Chandra said.
“Road safety means safety for all road users. “Today’s continuously changing traffic environment requires constant alertness on the part of road users.
“Improving road safety involves dealing with issues related to road users, the traffic environment, and the condition of vehicles,” he said.
Safety measures
Mr Chandra says as management of a business that engages drivers, they are responsible for the occupational safety of their workers.
He says the following should be included in the workplace’s driving policy:
■Trai■i■g of employees or contracted drivers should include safe driving, first aid, loading of vehicles, how to report accidents and near misses on the road, etc.
■Appropriate, safe vehicles with appropriate safety devices
■C●arificatio■ of responsibilities for the maintenance of vehicles and safety devices
■Ru●es prohibiting phone conversations while driving
No driving under the influence of alcohol or any form of drugs that may cause impairment.
Causes of road accidents
Mr Chandra says speeding, drunk driving, and failure to wear a seat belt are some of the reasons for road accidents.
“Also, weather is often a factor involving road accidents. Changes in weather conditions can alter the road surface, which can increase the risk of skidding, thus increasing the distance needed to stop a vehicle. Wet road surfaces also increase risks for pedestrians.
‘Inadequate visibility is another risk factor on the road. This can be due to the weather, darkness, covered or broken vehicle windows, lack of lights or reflectors. Other visibility risks are road users’ changed or weakened eyesight.
“Streetlights increase the ability to see the traffic environment in darkness, and this is why companies should ensure that roads leading to their workplace are well lit.”
Mr Chandra encourages pedestrians and cyclists to always wear reflective clothing as
this increases their visibility and safety on the road.