The need for road safety awareness, educating drivers, and implementing safety initiatives is on the rise.
Anyone should be informed about the importance of road and driving safety, especially when approximately four fatalities occur on Australian roads every day. About 90 people also suffer from injuries, both fatal and non-fatal.
The truth is many people have a reactionary approach to safety preparation in everyday living. However, this does not help in improving road safety awareness.
On the other hand, being proactive ensures that all road journeys remain safe and are worth the time from start to finish.
The Importance of Road Safety
The most obvious reason why road safety is essential is to save many lives at stake. The risk of death or severe injury is always present due to lack of focus and unsafe practices.
All it takes is a couple of seconds of lack of focus that can result in accidents. It is particularly true, considering the fact that many drivers do not pay attention while on the road.
Road rules are something that we should always follow for the safety of everyone, including passengers, pedestrians, and drivers.
Road Safety Essentials
To ensure safety before heading out the road, take a look at these actions and items below to add to your ultimate road safety checklist.
Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Check the vehicle’s status before hitting the road, including the oil, tire pressure, transmission, and treads.
Pay particular attention to the tires as changes in weather can affect the tire pressure. Check the battery and top up the windshield washer fluid.
Ensure all lights are working, including headlights, brake lights, and signals.
Practice Safe Driving
One of the ways to ensure safety on the road is to participate in driving education opportunities.
Updating skills related to driving can improve one’s understanding and awareness of road hazards. It also teaches new updates on defensive driving and offers knowledge on preventing accidents.
Bring Along an Emergency Kit
If a road trip takes an unexpected turn, be prepared by having a first aid kit with essential items inside the vehicle. Be sure to include adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointments, antiseptic wash or wipes, sterile gloves, instant cold packs, scissors, medical tape, thermometer, and more.
Keep the first aid kit in the part of the car that stays relatively cool as heat and sunlight exposure can degrade certain products (such as creams and ointments). It is also good to keep copies of important medical forms in the vehicle.
Learn first aid
The performance of first aid is a significant factor that can reduce damage to one’s health and loss of life after a road accident.
More than half of road traffic victims die within the first few minutes of the crash, even before the arrival of emergency services. Most of these are due to the occurrence of airway obstruction before paramedics can take over.
Bystander first aid is a safe and simple way of saving lives in a road accident. First aid training help develop skills and knowledge in lifesaving techniques to use at the emergency scene.
Learning first aid also promotes being independent and responsible for own safety and others’.
Conclusion
Being prepared is the key to surviving any emergency. Even the tiny bits of assistance we can provide with quick and effective first aid can make a difference in someone’s life.
We also recommend always bringing a first aid kit in the vehicle, which can come in handy in case of cuts, bruises, burns, and nasty bumps while on the road.
Since accidents and unforeseen events often occur on the road without warning, enrolling in a first aid course can be advantageous.
A first aid course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to provide care for both minor and severe emergencies.
Learn how to help those in need by enrolling in a first aid class. Check out our HLDAID011 – or Provide First Aid (including CPR) course for more information.