Common Causes of Road Accidents

As per WHO report for the year 2010, India leads the world in the number of deaths caused by road accidents. More than 1.4 million accidents happened in the year 2011 in India. A major fraction of these accidents turned up in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, but small cities also witnessed quite a large number of accidents during the period.

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One of the reasons put forth for such a wicked figure of accidents is that India at present is having a car boom. This seems true to a certain extent, when we look at facts such as, in Delhi alone, almost 10,000 new cars hit the road every month. However, the main reason for such a large number of accidents is the negligence and lack of sense of responsibility on the drivers' part. Let's look at the prevalent causes of road accidents in India:

1. Speeding and Tailgating – A greater speed surely gives a feeling of rush to the driver but at the same time increases the risk of his vehicle hitting another vehicle. The old men were wise to say that being late is better than never. Driving habits such as tailgating only augments the chance of the tailgater colliding with the vehicle in front.

2. Talking on Phone – When you talk on a phone while driving, your one hand gets engaged in operating the phone whether it's dialing a number or listening to the caller. Even more alarming is texting on phone while driving, as it not only takes off your hands of the steering wheel but also your eyes off the road. Moreover, the conversation distracts your mind. Always avoid using a phone while driving.

3. Drunk Driving – Fire and water can still go together, but drinking and driving can never be mixed. Alcohol interferes with the very basic elements of driving such as vision, reflex and sense of judgment. It is always advisable to request one of your friends or acquaintances to drop you to your place, when you feel you are too drunk to take on the steering wheel.

4. Riding Without a Helmet – Many youngsters label driving without a helmet as a cool stuff. This is far from truth, a biker looks cooler when he is all geared up with safety knee caps, rider's jacket and a sturdy helmet. Wearing a helmet is as important for the pillion rider as for the biker. Head is most susceptible to injuries during a fall. Protecting it with a helmet substantially reduces the chances of fatality.

5. Not Wearing Seat Belt – Putting a seat belt while driving is as important as pulling a parachute while sky diving. It has been scientifically proven that during a head to head collision, a driver wearing a seat belt has a far better chance to survive, without having to suffer any major injury.

6. Breaking Traffic Rules – Something as simple as breaking a red light can put the driver and others vulnerable to serious falls and injuries. Ignorance of road signs can prove to be a breakneck too. Do follow traffic rules, it's for your own good.

7. Poor Road Infrastructure – This is a very common cause of accidents in India. Unlike other factors, the driver here has to suffer without a fault of his own. A bad road is distinguished by signs such as piles of debris, spilled oil, pits and defective highway lamps.

8. Driving in Fog – Fog reduces the road visibility to a fatal extent. In case of a dense fog, you should always consider putting a halt to your trip. But if it's an official or emergency trip, do remember to use the fog lights and dippers. No matter, how petty they seem to be, they go a long way to save you from collisions and accidents.

Mark Twain once said, accident is nothing but fate misnamed. So true, and even truer is the fact that accident will happen if it's destined to be. All we can do from our side is, to be prepared and try to mitigate the effects of such eventualities.

An accident comes with a whole set of agonies as personal injuries and arguments. Getting your vehicle insured for self damage and third party liability makes sure that at least you do not get stuck with any financial contingencies on top of that. But getting a motor insurance is not enough, you ought to have a personal accident insurance too.

You never know, how bad a personal accident might turn into. God forsake, but if an individual has to incur bodily injuries leading to death, disability or dismemberment, the cover he gets on his car insurance policy will simply not be enough. A personal accident insurance provides the insured a substantial financial coverage that suffices to make up for the financial and personal loss he had to suffer due to the accident.