Every day, drivers die in road collisions.
Many die as a consequence of inexperience, speeding intoxication through drink or drugs or just plain recklessness.
The majority of road crashes are caused by human error. Research has shown that driver error accounts for over 80% of all fatal and injury crashes on Irish roads
The main causes of death and injury on Irish roads remain speeding, drink driving and non-wearing of seat-belts .
Because most traffic accidents are the product of several factors, the probability of accidents can be reduced in a number of different ways. There is no doubt that the following activities have prevented the increase in accidents that would normally result from increases in traffic density. There are three main approaches to preventing accidents:
Road or traffic engineering comprises (a) the design of new roads which are inherently safe (separating opposing traffic flows, eliminating cross traffic, and providing wide shoulders and traffic lanes and good visibility); (b) Improving existing roads by realignment, improving vision, and resurfacing slippery surfaces; (c) Regulating traffic movement by installing traffic signals, traffic islands, road markings, and regulatory signs such as “stop” and “give way” signs; and (d) assisting the driver with warning and destination signs to avoid danger and confusion.
Below you will find more information on one of the general causes of accidents on our roads.
There are number of things that other drivers do that can be extremely irritating and danagerous. Bad Tailgating, poor lane discipline, not indicating and undertaking are just a few of the bad habits that frequently and are very annoying. Aside from the inconvenience to other road users, this kind of inconsiderate driving is also very dangerous.
Tailgating – This is probably one of the greatest offences . Some drivers are extremely impatient , some people do it without thinking, just following traffic they get a bit close, but then they back off as you accelerate way.
Some drivers tailgate deliberately though and these are the ones that are the most dangerous. They sit behind you flashing their headlights in an effort to move you, but of course there is nowhere to go as you are in the process of overtaking and there is no room to pull in on the left. To this kind of driver, the two second rule means that they can just about cope with another vehicle in front of them before they decide to intimidate them by driving inches away.
Undertaking – Tailgaters that don’t get their way will often resort to undertaking if they can. Yes, there are also those selfish individuals out there that hog the middle and the outside lane. They have no idea that there is a queue of traffic waiting to get past them, probably because they are in their own little world thinking about what to have for dinner. This causes some individuals to loose patience and undertake.
Poor lane discipline – Some drivers are all over the place and they don’t seem to realise that they are supposed to stay in between those white dashed lines.
Indicators – Some people have no idea what these pretty orange flashing lights are actually for! They move here and there and go wherever they please without any thought of letting the rest of the road users know what their intentions are.
These are just a few of the things that can be particularly irritating about other drivers and their habits. Below are some other annoyances ;
Cutting corners, particularly at junctions .
No headlights in conditions that require them .
Throwing cigarettes out the window.
Leaving main beam on, or dipping only at the last minute.
Inappropriate use of the horn.
Impatient people Pushing in ahead of a queue of traffic.
SPEED is the single biggest factor contributing to road deaths in Ireland. Over 40% of fatal collisions are caused by excessive or inappropriate speed.
A 5km/h difference in speed could be the difference between life and death for a vulnerable road user like a pedestrian.
Speed has been identified as a key risk factor in road traffic injuries, influencing both t