Speed Kills, Slow Down
There are a number of causes of motor vehicle accidents, and the serious injuries and deaths that ensue.
However, whatever causes a crash, the outcome depends on speed. Driving within the speed limit and to the conditions reduce death and serious injury on our roads.
Speed has been identified as a key risk factor in road traffic injuries and deaths, and speed has an impact on the risk of a road crash, as well as the seriousness of the injuries that result from motor vehicle accidents.
Of the eight deaths from motor vehicle accidents in 2021, six involve excessive speed.
In 80 per cent of the applications received by Accident Compensation Commission, Fiji (ACCF) for compensation for serious injuries, speed has been the contributing factor to the accident.
Drivers often drive at speeds that exceed the speed limit, or drive at a speed that is not appropriate for the prevailing road and traffic conditions.
If drivers control their vehicle speed, it will prevent crashes occurring and may reduce the impact when they do occur, lessening the severity of the victims. injuries sustained by
The faster a vehicle is travelling, the less time a driver has to be able to stop the vehicle and prevent an accident from happening.
The faster a vehicle is travelling the more distance it will take to require the vehicle to stop.
Even a slight increase in the average speed of a vehicle will result in a higher risk of a crash involving injury and death.
Speed also has an impact on how seriously someone is injured when hit by a motor vehicle.
The risk of death to the driver and passengers increases the faster the motor vehicle travels.
Pedestrians, motor cyclists and cyclists are particularly exposed to the link between the speed of a motor vehicle and the severity of the injuries from an accident.
The chances of avoiding serious injury are far greater if a motor vehicle is travelling at a much slower speed.
The chances of survival reduce significantly with increases of speed.
ACCF offers the following safety tips:
■Never drive in speed limit.
■E■sure your speed is safe for the road conditions (for example, slow down if the road is winding, bumpy, narrow, or wet).
■ Ensure you can stop suddenly if required.
■Never speed up to prevent following vehicles from passing you. ng the temperature and your power bills. excess speedrelated of the
■Fehri■ Ali is the Case ManagerMotor Vehicle Accidents at the Accident Compensation Commission, Fiji.
Driving within the speed limit and to the conditions reduce death and serious injury on our roads.