Road Safety Awareness

Road Accidents are a major killer in US. In 2019, NSC estimates 38,800 fatalities (https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatality-estimates), more than the total number of US fatalities in the American Revolutionary War, Iraq War, War of 1812, War in Afghanistan and Mexican-American wars all combined (figures at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war). Although this figure is higher than around 2010 (exact figures NHTSA), in the last few years, a small but steady decline suggests more education and rising awareness.

My own country (UK) is slightly different. In year ending June 2019, 1,870 road deaths were reported (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/848485/road-casualties-year-ending-june-2019.pdf). Of course, when comparing these figures, we must consider the population difference. Although the exact figures show minute changes, the government reports that these slight changes are not statistically significant, and the overall long-term trend has been fairly constant since about 2010.

I think countries could all benefit from learning from each other. For example, the examples highlighted show that UK can learn what US is doing to decrease these numbers while US can learn about lowering exact figures and percentages.

I myself was in a car accident some years ago which has had lasting effects. I do not think I was behaving irresponsibly but I know the accident could have been worse if I hadn’t done things such as wear my seatbelt or check my airbags were functioning. If I see others doing things such as not wearing a seatbelt, I will remind them of the fact that I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t worn mine. I have seen some people change their behaviour after this but obviously, my sphere of influence is limited and I think a more well-known person in the public eye promoting good behaviour would be beneficial. It is just words but words from someone respected can be powerful. As the internet grows, many people are using social media more so it might even be more beneficial for a person to promote road safety on, for example, twitter, than make a statement in an interview. I think also if some famous person were to promote safety, the message should be consistent not just a single mention. In my mind, this has several advantages. One: more people would be reached and two: saying something consistently makes people think you care more and are more likely to take you seriously.

Exact figures should be promoted more. For example, I admittedly don’t know a whole lot about US but in the case of the UK, while these figures are available, I still had to search, they weren’t just presented. Social media such as twitter highlights news stories so these figures could easily be promoted on there.

To conclude, road safety is a complex issue. People need to identify problem areas and identify what can be learned from whom and what knowledge can be shared. Relevant issues should be promoted more. They key is awareness.