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Make driving an art
HANDS ON the wheel, eyes on the road, mind on something simple! If a person adopts this sort of life-style while driving a motor vehicle, he is almost sure to meet with an accident. Pre-occupation and carelessness may be considered as other besetting sins that one could commit, while he is sifted down to do a responsible complex task. Usually persons on the wheel fail in their ability to detect visual targets due to lack of concentration or presence of mind to meet with tragedies. Researchers say, "performing complex tasks significantly reduce driver's ability to detect visual targets, discriminate among them and respond correctly".
Environmental distractions
Sometimes, environmental distractions, such as a baby crying from the rear seat of the car, visualising a road accident either in imagination or in reality, using a mobile phone while driving, which is an offence, listening to music, which induces soporific effects are all causes of road accidents.
With an increase in the elderly population we now get to see more elderly drivers on the road. Each year, it is reported that, their number increase by about 1.5%. This does not mean that the accidents on road should increase proportionately. It only indicates that the older drivers need to take certain timely precautions to prevent accidents. Old age affects eyesight and reactions. If the eyesight does not cope up with the glare of oncoming headlights, the reactions may not be as quick as it was before and the driver may be in peril. It is possible that as age advances stiff-neck problems may thwart the turning of the head. This cripples the driver's ability to look for oncoming traffic at some awkward road junctions. This could produce accidents.
Despite these, if the older drivers fall as victims to syndromes like `confusion factor,' `colour blindness,' etc. finding it difficult to assimilate the proliferation of road markings and signs and end with a profusion of direction, information and mandatory warnings, their confusion could increase and accidents could happen. Older drivers may tend to overestimate their driving performance even while understanding the dangers involved. If they realise that their driving ability is declining, and drive slowly, the result could surely be one of trailing motorists hurling curses at them or constant horn blasting.
Among car-drivers death occurs most often in the age group of 17 to 25. This is obviously because they tend to take more risks than the older drivers. Sometimes, irrespective of the weather conditions, they may take off at unbelievable speed, often encouraged and flattered by undependable peer groups and mischievous characters.
Silent killer
Driver fatigue has been described as the `silent-killer' on roads. Torn asunder between myths and realities and facing traumas, pressures, stress and strain, one may get awfully fatigued. Driving motor vehicles, for a little more than four hours without a break can result in fatigue. Studies show that drowsiness during driving accounts for 16 per cent of all accidents and over 20 per cent of motorway crashes. In a recent poll carried out on behalf of the British Sleep Foundation (BSL), 19 per cent of the male drivers said they had fallen asleep while driving.
Another factor that needs to be considered is time of the day. Drivers are at a risk during the early hours of the morning and middle of afternoon. Sleep Apnoea can also make the driver to commit mistakes.
Driving is an art, so drive at whatever speed makes you comfortable, but if you are constantly landing into accidents, it may be time to hang up your keys!
C. P. SOMASUNDARAM
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