Road safety tips for a healthier, safer summer

THE World Health Organization reports that a total of 1.35 million people die in road accidents around the world annually, “the equivalent of a Covid-19 pandemic every single year,” said WHO Director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Millions more are seriously injured and face the prospect of the long-lasting consequences of the physical and psychological trauma that they have endured,” the WHO chief said during a webinar to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDOR) in November 2020.

To illustrate the parallelism was a report from the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Research Center which at that time indicated that over 1.3 million people succumbing to the virus.

Zeleka Mandela, the Global Ambassador for London-based non-profit organization Child Health Initiative, said the main difference between Covid-19 and road traffic injuries as a health issue is that the latter does not need a vaccine.

“We have the solutions right in front of us – safer roads for walking and cycling can help us in our Covid-19 response in our efforts to promote clean, socially distanced transportation. This is a solution that’s better for us, for our environment, for our health, and our children,” she said.

50by30: A new target for a new decade

TO promote road safety and save around 675,000 lives a year, the UN General Assembly launched the 50by30 campaign calling for a 50 percent reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.

Ghebreyesus said the second Decade of Action for Road Safety, which will be launched this year, is an “opportunity to work across sectors and across borders to make roads safer for all” to ensure a 50 percent cut in road crash fatalities.

“The best way to honor the memory of those who have died on the world’s roads is for governments and partners to fulfill their commitments to make our roads safer,” he said.

In the Philippines, government reports indicate that around 600 children aged 14 and below die every year from road crashes. And despite a lockdown due to the pandemic, road crashes in the country are still prevalent.

Road Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

WHILE quarantine restrictions do not encourage road travel, there are times when you need to be on the road. Driving in hot weather, particularly in heatwave conditions, can pose significant challenges and risks to the health and safety of drivers, passengers and passers-by alike.

Various foreign and local automobile associations and motoring clubs agree that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Global Rescue (www.globalrescue.com) has been a leader and pioneer in the travel services industry since its founding in 2004. It provides integrated medical, security, travel risk and crisis management services available and this is delivered by their teams of critical care paramedics, physicians, nurses and military special operations veterans. It has outlined several essential summer driving safety tips which every driver should take to heart to stay safe (and cool) on the roads this summer. Here are some of them:

■ Keep your car cool. Park in the shade or use sunshades on hot days. Give yourself a few minutes when you open the doors and windows to allow the warm air to circulate. Or, run your air-con to help cool your car down and avoid immediate discomfort from the heat before setting off.

■ Double Down on Equipment Maintenance. Extreme heat takes a toll on vehicles. It can lead to tire blowouts, problems with the brakes and overheated engines.

■ Keep hydrated. It is extremely important to keep hydrated when stuck in a long traffic jam under the searing sun. Take plenty of cold water with you before heading out on longer journeys – enough for you and all of your passengers. It would be a good idea to invest in insulated drinks bottles for the kids to keep a source of cold water in the car, particularly after a long day of adventure.

■ Consider summer allergies and medications. The last thing you want is to be sneezing why driving at a high speed. However, allergy medicines are known to have side effects that could affect your driving. Be sure to check the label of your medication before taking them.

■ Avoid sun glare. Impaired vision from the sun is a common cause of accidents during summer. Replace worn windscreen wipers to help keep your windscreen clean and make sure you have enough supply of windscreen washer fluid to help you maintain a clear view of the road under the sun. Use sunglasses and overhead sun visors to help block out the sun from your eyes.

■ Maintain tire condition. Tire blowouts are a more common occurrence in hot weather. Tires that are under-inflated increases the likelihood of blowouts and punctures. So before setting off, check that your tire pressure is at the optimum level.

■ Prepare for the inevitable rain. Be prepared to adapt your driving style in the event of any changes in weather, as driving through heavy summer storms comes with a totally different set of challenges. These often can happen with little to no warning, so make sure you know the forecast for the area you’re driving each day.

■ Increase following distance. Whether you are hauling a heavy load or driving a light vehicle, increasing your distance between yourself and the vehicle in frmt of you can help lessen the danger brought by heavier traffic, construction zones, and vacationing drivers who are traveling in unfamiliar areas.

■ Respect the effects of heat. Heat exhaustion can make drivers drowsy while an overheated vehicle can leave them stranded. Combat fatigue by taking frequent breaks, and pay attention to your vehicle’s warning signs to prevent breakdown and malfunction.

■ Nook out for more than just cars. Drivers have to share the roads with a lot more than just other cars during the summer months. Better weather and longer days attract far more tractors, caravans, cyclists, and walkers. Watch out for distracted drivers, too. If you see a distracted one, avoid being near him on the road.

While you cannot change the behavior of other drivers around you or the conditions of the road you’re on, following these tips can help you have a healthier and safer summer.