Traffic Collisions and Road Accidents: How to Avoid Them

Traffic collisions can lead to significant deaths and disabilities that would result to financial losses, property damages and lawsuits. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) in 2007, the 5th leading cause of death in the US is traffic and road accidents.

Traffic collisions and road accidents occur when a vehicle collides with another vehicle (cars, trucks, bus etc), pedestrians, animals (mostly deer and kangaroos or wood animals living closely to the roads), road debris (logs, tree branches, heavy rocks), and structural obstacles (fences, wires, road blocks, posts, etc).

Those individuals who are involved in motor vehicle accidents can be held financially liable for the consequences of an accident, including property damages, injuries to the passengers and drivers, and fatalities.

There may be a number of factors why accidents happen on the road. These include the speed of the vehicle, road structures, driver’s incompetence and vehicle configuration.

To avoid these accidents, following traffic signs are one way to protect the lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians on the road. They are the primary front-liners in guiding motorists of what lies ahead. These virtual conductors direct drivers where to go, when to stop, when to give way, and what are the possible road obstacles that they might encounter. These traffic signs are usually erected at the side of the road where drivers can see them.

Traffic signs can be categorized into groups. These are:

• Danger warning signs - signify a hazard ahead on the road that may not be readily apparent to a driver. Ex: Warning: Curve Ahead
• Priority signs - indicate the order in which vehicles should pass intersection points. Ex: Right Lane Must Turn Right
• Prohibitory or restrictive signs - used to prohibit certain types of maneuvers or some types of traffic. Ex: Do Not Enter: One Way
• Mandatory signs - used to set the obligations of all traffic which use a specific area of road. Ex: Bike Lane, Pedestrian Lane
• Information, facilities, or service signs - inform people of the purpose of an object, nature of facility, or give them instructions. Ex: This Way To McDonald’s
• Direction, position, or indication signs - give information about the location of either the driver or possible destinations. Ex: San Francisco 24 Km Ahead

By following safety traffic signs, individuals are compelled to be more cautious of the risks and accidents that could happen. Prevention is the key to the preservation of human life.