Today in this column, I would like to share some sad reflections on road collisions and accidents. The approaching winter, snow, frost and slippery roads seem to provide sufficient justification for addressing this subject.
A road accident is a random event. Its course and consequences cannot be predicted. However, there are factors that can help reduce the number of accidents and their tragic consequences. From the very beginning of publishing the “Together with the Police for Safety” column in “Głos Bolesławca,” I have tried to point out some of these factors to you. Today, in view of the very tragic accidents that have occurred in our city, I believe that these recommendations should be given and repeated continuously, so that none of us has to experience such a tragic fate.
It should be remembered that:
a) a vehicle driver’s view of the road situation differs from that of a pedestrian (when dusk falls early, car headlights are weak, a pedestrian is wearing grey clothing and the streets are inadequately lit, the driver’s perception of the pedestrian is very poor)
b) the reactions of a driver and a pedestrian in a road situation differ (a pedestrian can stop almost instantly and chooses where to cross the street; they assess the safety of the road situation and conditions, such as the weather—while both should remember the conditions described in point a)
c) the damage resulting from an accident is incomparably different, and this probably requires no comment;
d) as a general factor common to both, the lack of respect for traffic regulations by both participants should be mentioned;
e) haste!!!—this concerns both participants—where to?, why?, why without due caution? Of course, what I have written above concerns both participants viewed as sober adults. Condensing these points, I suggest:
- make our silhouettes visible at dusk (reflective elements, a bright scarf)
- cross the road at a marked crossing after first making sure that it is safe to do so
- remember that a car does not stop instantly
- life and health are the most precious values and assets
- do not rush recklessly
- do not leave children near streets without supervision, and do not allow them to play in such places unsupervised