Road Safety and Accident Prevention
Risk factors that cause crashes
The dominant causes of serious crashes are speed, alcohol, distraction, fatigue and failure to wear a seat belt. Speed is the single biggest factor in the severity of injury: a pedestrian struck at 50 km/h is far more likely to die than one struck at 30 km/h. Reducing speed in residential areas and near schools is therefore a direct safety measure, not merely a courtesy.
Protecting vulnerable road users
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and children are the most exposed. Give pedestrians priority at zebra crossings and when they are already crossing. Keep a wide lateral gap when passing cyclists, and check mirrors before opening a car door so you do not 'door' a cyclist. Children behave unpredictably, so slow down near schools, playgrounds and parked cars where a child may step out.
Active and passive safety
Active safety systems help prevent a crash: ABS, electronic stability control, good tyres and brakes. Passive systems reduce injury once a crash occurs: seat belts, airbags, head restraints and crumple zones. Airbags only work together with a correctly worn belt, and a rear-facing child seat must never be placed in front of an active passenger airbag.
Breakdowns and incidents
If you break down, move the vehicle off the carriageway, switch on hazard lights, and place a warning triangle at a safe distance behind the vehicle. On motorways, occupants should wait behind the barrier, not in the car.
Worked example
A question asks the safest response when a ball rolls into the road ahead. The correct reasoning is to slow immediately and expect a child to follow the ball, not to swerve into oncoming traffic. Anticipation beats reaction.
Traps to watch
Do not confuse active with passive safety in questions; ABS helps you steer under braking but does not shorten stopping distance on all surfaces, especially gravel or snow.