Accidents are a leading cause of death and disability. They occur mainly in the home, on the streets and highways, and on the job.
Now I want to say something about accidents on the highways in order to help eliminate this frightful menace.
Highway accidents kill many young people who are just on the threshold of life. The death and disability rate among teenagers in automobile accidents is horrifying.
What can parents and doctors do about the deaths from highway accidents? First, we must set an example for our children by being safe drivers ourselves. This means following the rules for good driving set down by the Australian Road Safety Council and other experts in accident prevention.
The equipment factor
Automobile accidents can be reduced by keeping your car in the best possible shape. That means having good brakes, good tyres, good windshield wipers, and non-glaring lights. Right-turn and left-turn indicators are obligatory. An extra rear-view mirror should be installed on the driver’s side. Equally important is the periodic check-up of the car’s equipment.
Safety belts are standard equipment on all new cars in Australia. Head rests for front-seat passengers help ward off whiplash injury to the neck.
The personal factor
The human factor is a big one in accidents. Most of us love high speed. But when high speed leads to death and disability, it just does not pay. Highway accidents would be greatly reduced if everyone observed the legal speed limits.
Young people who are ‘speed crazy,’ and who do not change their habits after discussions with their parents, should be required to talk over this problem with the family doctor. The worst offenders should consult a psychiatrist before they kill not only themselves but a carload of their teenage classmates.
People who have been drinking should not drive. It is best to let a non-drinker do the driving or to take a taxi.
The health factor
Every driver should have good vision and good hearing, and be in good health. There are amazingly few diseases that are an absolute bar to driving. Usually, it depends on the severity of the illness. Anyone with a definitely diagnosed chronic illness that affects the nerves, brain, heart, muscles, or other parts of the body, should discuss hazards in driving with his doctor.
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