The rapid technological advances in the last few decades has made transportation very fast but at the same time the results of mishaps are becoming quite horrible and hair raising. Hence, it is really important to take adequate precautions and also to teach young children about road safety.
ROAD CROSSING
The young must be taught how and when to cross a road. The possible hazards while crossing a road should also be pointed out.
Cross only at the designated places and not in between. Look at both sides, to the right and left, even if the pelican signal is green, since some vehicles may not be able to stop in time and may hit the pedestrian.
While waiting to cross the road near an intersection, stand at least half a metre away from the kerb. This is to save your feet from buses or trucks which, while turning, often get their rear wheels on the pavement.
Cycle rickshaws are very common and at some places especially small towns, the only available mode of transport. However, even after many years of use, their basic design has more or less remained unchanged. Passengers can fall down when a vehicle hits from the rear, or the driver has to apply the brakes suddenly. Severe injuries, fractures and even deaths have resulted from a sudden, unexpected fall from a height of just over one metre onto a hard road with other traffic moving up too close for comfort and sometimes adding to the injury. Hence, passengers should sit firmly holding the side bars or the frame. It is important that the rickshaw is not loaded over its carrying capacity of two persons. Rickshaws carrying lots of young school children need special attention.
TRAVELLING BY BUS
While riding a bus, do not hang on the outside of the bus or stand on the footboard.
Do not run to catch a moving bus. You may fall down, or slip if the road is wet. Besides the injury caused by the fall, a vehicle coming from behind could cause further injury.
While sitting on the bus or in a train, do not put your head, hand or leg out of the window or door. You may get hit by another vehicle passing very close by, or by a pole which is too close, or by a loose window pane suddenly falling down or naughty children throwing stones/missiles.
BICYCLE RIDING
In any accident involving a cycle and a car, regardless of who is at fault, the cyclist suffers the most. Therefore, it is in the cyclist’s own interest to be most careful while riding, and when being overtaken by vehicles.
Be careful on roads under repair and pieces of stones or other items lying on the road. Be watchful of pedestrians, pets or stray animals suddenly coming onto the road to cross it. Be careful of motorists trying to jump a traffic signal, and a bus or truck making a wide turn, etc. Keep an eye on the traffic around you, and adopt all the safety measures, some of which are listed below.
1. Children and learners should not ride on the main road until sufficiently experienced.
2. Since over two-thirds of the accidents occur at intersections, turns, etc. signalling your intentions at least 30 meters before turning and carefully observing the traffic signals and signals of other vehicles are very important for safe riding.
3. The cycle should be of the right size, neither too small nor too big. A wrong size can cause discomfort and may not be easy to handle and control efficiently.
4. For riding comfort, safety and longevity of the bicycle, it should be properly maintained. This basically means :
(a) Keeping the tyres inflated to the correct pressure;
(b) Adjusting the brake shoes to be within 3 mm of the rim and ensuring that they are in good shape;
(c) Oiling and greasing the components as recommended; id) Checking the tension in the cycle chain.
5. If you ride the bike a lot, and specially over long stretches of roads where there are no repair shops, learn how to do simple repairs such as mending a puncture etc. Carry essential repair tools in a bag, including a small air pump.
6. A bicycle should have the following accessories for safety : headlight, rear light, horn or bell, rear-view mirror, front and rear reflectors, pedal reflectors, spoke reflectors. Wearing reflector armbands and legbands makes a cyclist more visible to other vehicle drivers on the road at night. Even if the law does not require it, one should always wear a helmet, especially if there is a lot of traffic on the road. Reflector strips on the helmet make for better visibility
7. Be careful of traffic on blind curves.
8. On a road, a bicycle is a vehicle and not a toy. Therefore, do not ride it in a reckless fashion nor race with others.
9. Do not cycle holding it with one hand, or without holding the handle bar, even on a road with light traffic. You may be thrown off the cycle and you can get hurt badly.
10. Do not wear any ear plugs or headsets in your ears. This would hinder your hearing traffic noise and horn sounded by another vehicle.
11. Whilst cycling, do not carry load, or a small child in your lap or on your shoulder. This would be unsafe for you, the child, as well as other road users.
12. If an extra person is to ride, there should be a carrier at the back. Ensure that the passenger’s foot does not get caught in the moving spokes. Install a barrier between the rear wheel and the child’s legs.
13. For small articles, books, etc. have a basket or a carrier or both so that your hands are free.
14. Watch out for items and clothes that dangle. They may get into the spokes. This includes purses, bags, sarees, lower ends of wide trousers or pajama legs.
15. Use less-travelled roads and plan your itinerary thoughtfully. Do not cycle on highways where the traffic moves fast. It is very unsafe, unless bicycle lanes exist separately.
16. Do not hold on to another vehicle playing on the road. ‘Hitching’ a ride like this can lead to a catastrophe.
17. It may be unlawful to cycle on pavements and pedestrian pathways. You may hit someone and both may be injured.
18. While riding in a cycle lane be on the lookout for cars backing out, children rushing out of houses, etc. Take extra precautions when coming onto the main road from the cycle lane.
19. On the road, ride as close to the sidewalk as is possible, not in the middle of the road where the traffic moves at a higher speed.
20. Do not ride very close to parked cars. You could be pushed off your cycle by a car door suddenly opening.
21. Motorists have blind spots in the rear corners where other vehicles are often not visible in the rear-view mirror. Do not ride in these blind spots.
22. Fast moving buses and trucks cause air turbulence which can unsettle a cyclist. Stay at a safe distance from such vehicles.
23. If several people are cycling together, form a single file so as not to obstruct the traffic. This will also minimize the chances of any accident.
24. At night, do not look directly at the headlights of the vehicles approaching you. This could interfere with your vision and blind you temporarily, and you may not be able to spot pot-holes, pedestrians crossing the road, etc.
25. If the road is covered with loose gravel, sand, or fallen leaves then get down and walk with your bike since riding is not easy under such conditions.
26. Avoid pot-holes and broken manholes. These can cause damage to the bike and may also result in the rider falling down.
27. Since dogs have a habit of chasing cyclists and it is often difficult to pedal fast enough to move out of the harm’s way-due to the traffic, it is best to get down and walk slowly past a dog. If possible, walk with the bike between yourself and the dog.
28. Never ride a bicycle in the wrong lane or on the wrong side of the road.
29. It is very important to control speed when going downhill.
30. If you are tired or/and caught in heavy traffic, or when the road is uphill, walk with your bike rather than ride on it.
31. In rain, take care that your raincoat does not get stuck in a wheel or pedal.
32. During or after rainfall or snowfall, the road is likely to be slippery. Ride slowly and watch out for oil patches, water puddles, icy patches, etc. Do not brake hard lest you skid and fall. Keep good distance from other traffic since cycles as well as other vehicles need longer distances to come to a stop on a wet road. Be cautious and turn slowly on such roads.
33. In cold weather, protect your hands with appropriate gloves but ensure that hand movement or grip is not restricted.
34. Ride slowly during bad weather.
35. If you have to stop in a hurry, do not completely slam on the front brakes. This could result in skidding of the bike. Apply both the brakes cautiously and gradually.