Holiday inspections save lives!
Noting that 17 people lost their lives every day in traffic accidents in 2023, Road and Traffic Safety Consultant Özgür Şener pointed to the effect of the measures taken in traffic during the last holiday and warned that "Precautions should be taken against traffic accidents throughout the year."
Emphasizing the importance of resting with at least 8 hours of sleep before setting off to return from the holiday, Özgür Şener said that it is vital for drivers to take a break every 2 hours and to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats during the journey.
Üsküdar University Occupational Health and Safety Department Instructor, Road and Traffic Safety Consultant Özgür Şener gave important information about the precautions to be taken against traffic accidents and the issues to be considered.
The effect of the measures taken in traffic during the holiday...
Özgür Şener drew attention to the perception that traffic accidents increase during the holidays and emphasized the importance of the measures taken in traffic before and during the last Eid al-Adha.
Özgür Şener stated that everyone was talking about traffic accidents during the holiday and that there were 36 deaths in the first 5 days of the 9-day holiday and made the following remarks:
On average, we lost 7 people in one day. However, we lost 17 people every day in traffic accidents in 2023. Actually, the effect of the inspections carried out during the holiday is visible. We saved the lives of almost 10 people because our police and gendarmes are all on duty, and everyone's interest and perception are intensely focused on traffic. I mean if we continue these studies through the year and say, 'Traffic is a very important issue, and we do not want to experience losses,' it is largely possible to prevent accidents. Measurements should be taken against traffic accidents throughout the year."
It is important to rest with at least 8 hours of sleep before you set off...
Özgür Şener stated that possible accidents can be prevented on long trips to return from holiday and said that those who go to holiday destinations often experience sleep changes due to night activities and entertainment, which disrupts the normal everyday life rhythm and causes more fatigue instead of resting during the holiday.
Noting that for this reason, it is necessary to be aware of lack of sleep and fatigue when returning from the holiday, Şener said that "If you are going to travel the next day, you should avoid going to traffic in a tired or sleepless state. It is important to rest with at least 8 hours of sleep, especially before setting off on the last day. Because most of the cases of losing control of the vehicle are due to fatigue and lack of sleep."
Breaks should be taken every 2 hours!
Özgür Şener also noted that travel planning should be made and made the following warnings and suggestions:
"In the literature, all drives exceeding 2 hours and 200 km are referred to as long-distance driving. If a driver has an 8-hour journey, they should definitely divide the drive into 2-hour segments. Let them set 2-hour goals for themselves and take a break at the end of 2 hours. One can walk around their car or wash their face. Let it change the blood flow. Because driving is a monotonous thing. We definitely want them to take this break. I want to tell people that if they are sleepy, they should definitely sleep. Let's call it a 20-minute recovery sleep. If you are sleepy, please do not fight against sleep."
Seat belts must be worn in both the front and rear seats!
Reminding that seat belts are lifesaving, Özgür Şener concluded his remarks as follows:
"The most important safety equipment in the vehicle is the seat belt. When does it protect us? As a matter of fact, it protects when we are involved in an accident. We need that seat belt once anyway. And that is when there is an accident... That is why you must wear your seat belt as standard in the front seat and rear seat of the vehicle, but every time you drive, if you get into your vehicle. Because when an accident happens, there is no other equipment inside the vehicle to protect you. When you hit a hard object or in head-on collisions, you move inside the vehicle. You should wear your seat belts in the front and rear seats in vehicles, public transport, buses and airplanes. Because there is no other equipment in the car to keep you safely in your seat."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)