INTRODUCTION
Road are essential to our everyday lives. We all use them in some way, by driving, riding, walking or travelling as a passenger and we depend on them to obtain goods and services. Unfortunately, this come at a price, which includes people being killed and injured. However, road deaths and injuries are not inevitable. The last few decades have demonstrated that effective and comprehensive road safety strategies can reduce the number of people killed or injured on the road, despite increasing traffic levels
More than 3,500 people are killed and 137,000 injured in road crashes worldwide every day. In Malaysia, 6,915 fatalities from road accidents were recorded in 2011 representing an estimated loss of RM9.0 billion to the national economy. With an average of 19 persons killed in road accidents every day in Malaysia, road accidents constitute a serious public health challenge to the nation. It also underlines the urgent need for an effective policy response. Road Safety Plan of Malaysia 2014-2020 (RSPM 2014-2020) has been formulated to address all matters related to road safety in the country. The human factor exerts a dominant influence on road safety. The implementation of measures that may effectively influence the behaviour of road users are recognized, therefore, as a vital aim of road safety activities.
FACTORS AFFECTING ROAD SAFETY
- Carelessness
- Not obeying traffic rules
- Road environmental faults
- Vehicle defects
- Inexperience
- Lack of skill
- Risk-taking behavior.
- Seeding
- Drink and drive
- Not using seatbelts
- Poor road lighting
- Ineffective traffic control
- Effects on road safety
EFFECT ON ROAD ACCIDENT
- Fatal
- Disabilities
- Trauma
- Cause damage to government property
- Important on road safety campaign
IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS
Road safety is primarily meant about the protection and security of all those who travel on roads. It encapsulates all — from pedestrians to animal-drawn vehicles and from two-wheelers to all types of multi-wheel transport. It is a double-sided and complementary exercise and will bear less fruit if it is minus anyone; that is to say, everybody will have to honor other’s rights to see his ones respected.
This trend can be curtailed by creating awareness about pedestrian safety through workshops and seminars as well as educating children by incorporating basic road-safety lessons in their syllabus right from the outset; for example, the ‘Green cross code’ (stop, look, listen, think and cross) and the proper way to walk on one side of the road. Learning about traffic lights, road signs and other rules is another valuable addition which can contribute significantly in this regard.
Drivers can benefit by being told about the following road-safety tips:
- Cockpit drill and basic awareness about the vehicle in use
- Defensive driving in different weather and road conditions
- Proper use of lights and horn
- Road sense
- Right of way
- Advantages of wearing a seat belt
- Proper use of mirrors
- Dangers of over-speeding
- Maintaining a safe distance while driving
- Development and use of nerve control with quick reflex action in crisis situation to avoid any immediate danger
CONCLUSION
Road safety is primarily meant about the protection and security of all those who travel on roads. It encapsulates all from pedestrians to vehicles and from two-wheelers to all types of multi-wheel transport. It is a double-sided and complementary exercise and will bear less fruit if it is minus anyone; that is to say, everybody will have to honour other’s rights to see his ones respected. This trend can be curtailed by creating awareness about pedestrian safety through workshops and seminars as well as educating children by incorporating basic road-safety lessons in their syllabus right from the outset; for example, the ‘Green cross code’ (stop, look, listen, think and cross) and the proper way to walk on one side of the road. Learning about traffic lights, road signs and other rules is another valuable addition which can contribute significantly in this regard.
In conclusion, based on the result get from the 50 respondent from foundation students at CUCMS, it is believed that 46 respondent which is (92%) know and aware about road accident. The main factor affecting road safety which is 30 respondents (60%) is speeding. Speeding can cause a person to lose control and accident can occur. Besides, 39 respondents know the meaning of the sign obstacle ahead while the rest 22% does not know what the sign means which is suprising and dangerous. The main effect on road accident is believed as trauma which is 28 respondents (56%). Trauma experiences often arouse strong, disturbing feelings that may or may not abate on their own. It’s common immediately after a traumatic event to experience shock or denial. A person may undergo a range of emotional reactions, such as fear, anger, guilt, shame, feelings of helplessness and vulnerability. Some traumatic memories fades naturally with time, but if symptoms persist, it is imperative that professional help is sought. Furthermore, the way to prevent road accident is believed by not driving when tired which supported by 18 respondents. The effectiveness of road safety campaign is believed as most effective which is 7 respondent and 22 respondents thinks the effectiveness is moderate.
