Safety on the Road was, is and will be the No. 1 that we should all keep in mind when driving.
It is a well-known fact that, especially in recent times and due to the fact that more and more people do not use public transport, traffic on the roads increases and therefore road accidents have increased trends.
Beyond that, it is always very important to keep in mind the most widespread and effective ways to protect ourselves when driving.
Below is the octalgue of a driver's survival. Read carefully:
1. Safety on the Road: Seat Belt
Many times we forget or neglect to wear our seat belt, and this puts our lives in immediate danger. Even for short distances, the seat belt is our main weapon for safety on the road.
Both the driver and the front passenger and the passengers sitting behind should wear it, as the seat belt really saves lives!
2. Abstinence from Alcohol
We are not only referring to the older times, when nightclubs were open, but also to the current conditions, in which we have to abstain from alcohol before driving.
Even this thought that come on moore 2 beers mildly and what happened affects our reflexes, and can endanger either our lives or the lives of other people in ways we can not even imagine (5 Truths about drinking alcohol that will make you think again before you drive).
3. Safety on the Road: We obey the Speed Limits
An important factor is always the speed limits within the city. However, we should be very careful not to exceed the permitted speed limit on each road, even if it is empty.
Many drivers, when they see a road with few cars, believe that they are safe and increase speed. However, this can lead them to incorrect driving manipulations and a road accident occurs.
The appropriate speed limit in the city is 50 km / h and this is no coincidence, it has been scientifically proven that if we hit a pedestrian while our speed is e.g. 70 km / h, the chances of fatal injury increase sharply. So beware!
By 2050, the European Parliament's aim is to greatly reduce road accidents by setting a speed limit of 30 km/h for residential areas and no tolerance for alcohol consumption any longer (Limit of 30 km/h and zero tolerance for alcohol is requested by the European Parliament).
Something very important is also to always keep a safe distance from the vehicles around us and practically not to "get stuck" in the vehicle in front of us. In this way we ensure both our own safety and that of other road users.
4. We Drive Without Talking on the Mobile Phone
Many drivers, especially today that we have become one with technology, talk on mobile while driving. Understandably, this distracts them and can lead to causing a car accident.
Therefore, during driving, we abstain from our mobile phone, since even with the headphones, there is a danger. In fact, for this reason, all modern cars are equipped with bluetooth so that in case of emergency the driver's attention is not fully distracted on the roadway (GPS: The Necessary Evil of Automatic Navigation).
5. Safety on the Road: We Have Our Eyes Fourteen for Pedestrians
In Greece, our attention to pedestrians needs to be increased, because according to the official statistics, road accidents with pedestrians are constantly increasing (Find out now why the pedestrian is the "easy victim" on Greek roads).)
In particular, when we pass near playgrounds, schools, stadiums, or beaches or even next to a bus that disembarks people, we must be particularly careful and reduce speed.
In addition, we pay close attention to elderly pedestrians, who may cross a road at a reduced speed.
It takes great care when driving and concentration in order to avoid accidents with pedestrians.
6. We rest on Long Distances
The truth is that 2 out of 10 accidents on motorways are caused by excessive fatigue. That's why we make sure not only to be rested, but mainly, when we do long distances, to rest in between.
The ideal is 15 minutes of stopping – rest every two hours. This will help us keep our reflexes on our toes.
In fact, now some modern cars are equipped with technological systems that read the way a driver is driving and inform him with an audible warning that he must stop for rest or coffee!
7. Safety on the Road: We Constantly Keep An Eye on Traffic
Something very important is also to keep our eyes open and to constantly monitor the traffic.
This practically means that we often look during driving at the right, left and central mirror of our vehicle and we are not complacent in our course.
Also, we inform the other users of the road in time if we want to make a change of direction - course, and most importantly, we always keep our mind and our attention to two-wheelers, as many times they may be in the "dead angles" (Learn how to watch the motorbikes on Greek roads).
8. If We Are Pedestrian, Be Doubly Careful
If we are moving on foot, we must be doubly careful; as pedestrians, we must also respect the rules of the road in order to be safe. We do not pass with a red traffic light and we do not cross the road between stopped vehicles. It is very important to be careful, as many times passing vehicles may not have time to stop or make an avoidant maneuver, and this puts our lives in danger (Avoiding a car accident with a pedestrian: The 7 good of its fate).
8 + 1. Safety on the Road: Young Children Always in a Child Seat
Something that many parents neglect when it comes to safety on the street is to put their children in a special high chair – seat. However, this is very dangerous, and that is why when we have children with us who are below 1.50 metres high, we should definitely put them in this special seat, as their safety is at stake at all times.
Unpredictable risks always lurk, and we must always be very careful, as no one can guarantee us safety on the road. The greatest responsibility is up to us to be properly and fully prepared in order to protect not only ourselves but also those around us.
