The main risk factors for road accidents

Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to individuals, their families, and to nations. These losses arise from the cost of treatment as well as lost productivity for those killed or disabled by their injuries, and for family members who need to take time off work or school to care for the injured. Road traffic crashes cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product.

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  An increase in average speed is directly related both to the likelihood of a crash occurring and to the severity of the consequences of the crash. For example, every 1% increase in mean speed produces a 4% increase in the fatal crash risk and a 3% increase in the serious crash risk.
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  The risk of death for pedestrians hit by car fronts rises rapidly (4.5 times from 50 km/h to 65 km/h).
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  In car-to-car side impacts the fatality risk for car occupants is 85% at 65 km/h.

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  Driving under the influence of alcohol and any psychoactive substance or drug increases the risk of a crash that results in death or serious injuries.
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  In the case of drink-driving, the risk of a road traffic crash starts at low levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and increases significantly when the driver's BAC is ≥ 0.04 g/dl.
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  In the case of drug-driving, the risk of incurring a road traffic crash is increased to differing degrees depending on the psychoactive drug used. For example, the risk of a fatal crash occurring among those who have used amphetamines is about 5 times the risk of someone who hasn't.

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  Correct helmet use can reduce the risk of death in a crash by more than 6 times and the risk of brain injury by up to 74%.
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  Wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death among vehicle occupants by up to 50%.
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  The use of child restraints can lead to a 71% reduction in deaths among infants.

There are many types of distractions that can lead to impaired driving. The distraction caused by mobile phones is a growing concern for road safety.

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  Drivers using mobile phones are approximately 4 times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers not using a mobile phone. Using a phone while driving slows reaction times (notably braking reaction time, but also reaction to traffic signals), and makes it difficult to keep in the correct lane, and to keep the correct following distances.
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  Hands-free phones are not much safer than hand-held phone sets. Texting considerably increases the risk of a crash.

• 1.
  1.
  Belt Up - always ensure all passengers (front and back) as well as the driver are wearing their seatbelt
• 2.
  2.
  Move Up - headrests must be in the correct position to be effective
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  3.
  Slow Up - abide by all speed limits and only overtake if it is safe to do so
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  4.
  Back Up - keep a safe distance from the car in front
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  5.
  Wise Up - drive according to the conditions, especially in bad weather
• 6.
  6.
  Check Up - brakes, tyres and lights all need checking periodically to make sure they are working
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  7.
  Wake Up - take a break every 2 hours and ensure you rest for a total of at least 11 hours in any 24-hour period
• 8.
  8.
  Shut Up - activate the driving mode on your mobile phone
• 9.
  9.
  Look Up - for people on bikes, on horses and on foot
• 10.
  10.
  Sober Up - just say no to alcohol and drugs
• 11.
  11.
  Buck Up - keep yourself alert yet calm at all times while driving
• 12.
  12.
  Sharpen Up - wear glasses/lenses if your eyesight is poor

Have a safe trip!