National Road Safety Week: A crucial reminder of the shared responsibility we all bear!

In India, the National Road Safety Week is being observed from January 11 to January 17 to raise awareness and encourage safe driving practices. All through the week, the government volunteers encourage people, organisations, and communities to make road safety measures a top priority so that road accidents are reduced and people can travel safely.

Drinking and driving have been a major concern

While globally the deaths by accidents have reduced by 5% in India they continue to increase at a rapid pace. That is why efforts such as National Road Safety Week are so important. Although many times accidents cannot be avoided those that occur due to drinking and driving can be avoided and many lives can be saved.

And the onus is on us as citizens to make sure that we do not take the wheel in hand under the influence of drugs and alcohol . Despite programs such as National Road Safety Week, people still do not take such things seriously and many times drive their vehicles under the influence of alcohol.

Maintenance of vehicles

Bursting of tires, breakdown of brakes, and engine issues are also some of the major reasons why vehicles go out of control leading to accidents. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owners to ensure that the tires are changed every 4 to 5 years or after they have traveled a certain distance. Proper oiling and upkeep of the overall vehicle is a must to ensure that during the turns, ups, and downs, the brakes or engine do not give up suddenly.

Avoid using mobiles while driving

Just like drinking and driving can prove fatal, using mobile phones while driving also leads to accidents. Many times accidents have occurred because the driver was deep in conversation on mobile. You must also try to avoid taking the phone on speaker because even though your hands are free your focus is on the conversation more than on the road.