How to make our roads healthy and safe ?

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About 1.3 million humans die, and another 50 million suffer injuries in road accidents every year. These numbers have remained almost unchanged in the last twenty years. Most deaths occur in the young. Further, more deaths occur in Africa, and Asia and least in Europe. Till 1970s, the number of deaths was on a rise even in Europe. Thereafter, many countries in Europe had initiated extensive road-safety campaigns. We find evidence for these campaigns in postage stamps from these countries. Today, these countries have lowest rates of fatalities on the road.

Early days of automation and Road safety

Till the middle of 19th century, horse-driven carriages were a norm. Some inventors developed steam powered vehicles in early 1800s, and these had a mixed reception. Steam engines were heavy, large and noisy. We found their use over a specially laid path (railways), as more conducive. As development of railways progressed, road vehicles took a back-seat. Further, British parliament was worried about safety of self-driven vehicles on road, and restricted their use through a series of legislation. Thus, we had Locomotive acts of 1861, 1865, and then 1878. These restricted speed limits from 2-4 miles per hour, and even required a person with a red-flag to walk in front of every such vehicle.

Karl Benz developed first car in Germany in 1885. He named it “Benz Patent-Motorwagen“. Soon after in 1888, Germany (then Prussia) brought in requirement for a licence to drive a car. In 1903, Prussia introduced a driving test requirement, before issuance of a licence. Other countries followed suit – UK in 1904, and US in 1910. Meanwhile, in 1909 Prussia also had its first National Traffic Laws. Thus, beginning of road safety is as old as the first automobiles.

Making Pedestrians Safe

While vehicles improved, became faster, and more in number, it was becoming difficult for the pedestrians. Pedestrians, who earlier ruled the roads, were now pushed to an edge. Many would be hit, while crossing. In 1934, we had our first pedestrian crossings in London. These crossings had a metal studding, and a light. Since, no-one could see them well, road-planners were looking for better options. One such early design, with white parallel lines looked attractive. This was called “Zebra crossing” by James Callaghan, a British parliamentarian. These were formally introduced on 31st October 1951 in UK.

Over next few years Zebra-crossings were painted across the world. Many countries have issued postage stamps on such safe road crossings.

Traffic lights

First traffic light in 1868 in London was a failure. This gas-powered light exploded, killing its operator. Paris reintroduced first mechanical traffic lights in 1923. Berlin, Milan, Rome, London, Prague and Tokyo followed suit in the subsequent decade. Cities started using these more frequently only after 1950s.

Road signs

Have you ever wondered, on how road signs in different parts of the world are so similar ? It was not always so. In 1931, urban planners from various cities in Europe agreed upon unification of road signs. As road traffic soared, road signs were more important than ever. After Second World War, Geneva conventions of 1949 and then 1952 improved their usage further. Finally, various countries agreed to a unification in Vienna in 1968. All road signs across the world are now governed through this convention.

Sane driving is still a concern

Regulations are useful, till we follow them. It is recognised for years, that we break rules more often, when under influence of substances such as alcohol. US introduced first drink-drive laws in 1910, and others followed suit. We had our first balloon breath-analyser in 1936, and the electronic ones in 1953.

Over the years, countries have lowered the acceptable alcohol level, to allow a person to drive.Advocacy against drunk-driving peaked in 1980s. This issue has attained philately attention since.

Protecting those in a vehicle

Two road safety regulations, protect those in a vehicle. These are seat-belts and Helmets. First two-wheelers were invented in 1900s, but became popular in 1950s. In parallel, we developed modern impact-absorbing helmets in 1953. Mandatory helmet rules, started from US in 1960s, and over the years these regulations became global.

Some cars in early part of 20th century had an option of a seat-belt. Australian State of Victoria made seat-belts mandatory in 1970. india had its mandatory seat-belt regulations, much later in 1994.

Left or right

Most countries in the world have a right hand drive. Some, including India drive on the left. This has more to do with politics, than road safety. Convention for horse carriages was to drive-left. This helped keep right hand free, to retaliate in event of an attack. Warriors and nobles chose left side of the road, and commoners walked in the right. French Revolution, and a sense of equality was a turning point. Later, all other countries in Europe chose right side as a preferred side. British persisted with left as an older convention. Most former British colonies continue to drive left, and some have switched.

Struggle for more change

We have come a long way in making our roads safe. However, more is needed. In October 2021, World Health Organization Kicked off a decade of action for road safety. Our aim is to reduce road-traffic deaths by half by 2030. It is our endeavour to prevent deaths and injuries on the road.

“More than 50 million people have died on the world’s roads since the invention of the automobile.  This is more than the number of deaths in World War One or some of the worst epidemics.” We can indeed make our roads more safe and less chaotic.