Automotive safety

Atomotive safety

For many people driving is a calm, relaxing way to get from point A to point B. Unfortunately, it only takes a second for that relaxing drive to turn into a driver』s nightmare. As traffic accidents continue to happen on our roads, the emphasis is no longer on getting there rather on getting there safely.

Automobile safety is the basic concern of lowering the number of traffic accidents and reducing the seriousness of injuries sustained during accidents that do occur. The responsibility of automobile safety lies not only with drivers but with car manufacturers and with the government as well.

Due to their weight and speed, automobiles always need to be handled with great care. And as there has been an increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, the number of car accidents has risen. Actually, the number can only be described as staggering. Each year in Canada, more than 450,000 traffic accidents are reported. What is probably most disturbing about these accidents is the primary cause: human error is responsible about 90 percent of the time.

Poor driving skills along with irresponsible actions are the two main causes of traffic accidents. Speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way and driving under the influence of alcohol are some of most frequent regulatory violations committed by drivers. There is much a person can do to become a safer driver and help lower the number of traffic accidents. All potential drivers should attend driver training courses to develop safe driving habits, such as knowing and obeying all road and traffic signs, and remaining alert. Being a mature driver means not taking chances, not driving too aggressively and not drinking alcohol before driving.

As much as drivers are responsible for keeping roads safe, car manufacturers share the responsibility with them. Over the years, vehicle design by manufactures has improved. Many devices are put into vehicles to aid in the safety of passengers. One of the first safety devices was the windshield. Later came the seatbelt, then the airbag.

Although there are laws requiring seatbelt use, less than 50 percent of drivers wear them. All vehicles are equipped with seatbelts and many have alarms to remind the driver to fasten them before driving the vehicle.

Airbags are inserted in the steering column on the driver』s side and in the dashboard on the passenger』s side. The nylon airbags eject and inflate when the front of the car hits another object with considerable force. It acts as a protective barrier between the passenger and the steering wheel, the dashboard and the windshield. Although airbags are being used, they have caused some injuries, even death. Auto manufactures continue to refine the technology. In 1997 side-impact airbags were introduced in some cars.

Other safety features many vehicles are equipped with are: padded dashboards and visors, built-in child seats, recessed steering wheels, antilock brakes, daytime running lights and impact-absorbing bumpers. As new vehicles are made each year, manufacturers are steadily developing new systems to ensure safer vehicles.

Hopefully this post will help those who are driving or those who are going to learn driving to form good habits. "Go to work happily, and return home safely."- May you drive safely.

this is a very well written article. read it aloud to fully appreciate the author's effort while learning about the reasons for safe driving.

[:791:]

[QUOTE=Adelyn]this is a very well written article. read it aloud to fully appreciate the author's effort while learning about the reasons for safe driving.

[:791:][/QUOTE]

If every one can do this, then we are doing a great thing to the world!!
Cheers!!