vehicle safety essay

Essay on Road Safety

In the contemporary era, road safety has emerged as a critical issue demanding immediate and sustained attention. The streets that connect us, facilitating our daily commutes and long-distance travels, also bear witness to tragedies that unfold due to negligence, lack of awareness, and the absence of stringent safety measures. This essay delves into the essence of road safety, exploring its significance, the challenges that impede its implementation, and the comprehensive strategies required to cultivate a culture of safety on our roads.

Road Safety

Road safety refers to the measures and techniques employed to prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. These users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and passengers of public transport vehicles. The importance of road safety cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts human life and health, the efficiency of transportation, and the economic well-being of societies. Despite advancements in vehicle safety features and road engineering, road traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced road safety protocols.

Significance of Road Safety

The significance of road safety is multi-faceted, encompassing human, economic, and social dimensions. On a human level, ensuring the safety of road users is a fundamental ethical obligation, as every individual has the right to move freely and safely within public spaces. Economically, road accidents impose a heavy burden on healthcare systems, entail loss of productivity, and necessitate significant resources for emergency response and accident investigation. Socially, the aftermath of road accidents affects communities, leaving families without loved ones and individuals with life-altering injuries. Thus, road safety is integral to the welfare and progress of societies.

Challenges to Road Safety

Achieving road safety is fraught with challenges that are diverse and complex. These include:

• Human Error: The majority of road accidents are attributed to human error, including distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and reckless behavior.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Inadequate road infrastructure, such as poorly designed intersections, lack of pedestrian crossings, and insufficient lighting, contributes to accidents.
• Vehicle Safety Standards: Not all vehicles are equipped with the latest safety features, and disparities in vehicle safety standards can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
• Lack of Awareness and Education: Many road users are not fully aware of road safety rules or choose to ignore them. The absence of comprehensive road safety education exacerbates this issue.
• Enforcement of Road Safety Laws: Inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws and regulations undermines efforts to improve road safety.
• Adhere to Speed Limits: Always obey posted speed limits and adjust your speed according to road conditions, such as weather, visibility, and traffic.
• Wear Seatbelts: Seatbelts save lives. Ensure that all passengers in the vehicle are wearing seatbelts at all times.
• Avoid Distractions: Avoid using mobile phones, texting, or engaging in any distracting activities while driving. Keep your full attention on the road.
• Follow Traffic Rules and Signals: Respect traffic rules, signs, and signals. This includes stopping at red lights, yielding the right of way, and obeying stop signs.
• Don’t Drive Under the Influence: Never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substances that impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
• Maintain Safe Following Distance: Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you to allow for sudden stops or emergencies.
• Use Turn Signals: Indicate your intentions by using turn signals to change lanes or make turns, and check blind spots before doing so.
• Be Cautious at Intersections: Be extra cautious at intersections, where many accidents occur. Look for oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists.
• Pedestrian Safety: Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and pedestrian zones. Always be aware of pedestrians, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.
• Cyclist Safety: Give cyclists enough space on the road and be mindful of bike lanes. Check for cyclists before opening car doors.
• Motorcycle Safety: Motorcyclists should wear protective gear, including helmets, and other drivers should be attentive to motorcycles on the road.
• School Zones and Bus Safety: Drive cautiously in school zones, obey speed limits, and stop for school buses when their stop signs are extended.
• Adapt to Weather Conditions: Adjust your driving speed and behavior during adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, fog, or ice.
• Regular Vehicle Maintenance: Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained with functioning brakes, lights, tires, and other essential components.
• Avoid Fatigue: Don’t drive when you are tired or drowsy. Fatigue impairs your reaction time and judgment.
• Respect Vulnerable Road Users: Exercise caution around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and elderly or disabled individuals who may require extra attention.
• Emergency Preparedness: Be prepared for emergencies by carrying essential tools, a first-aid kit, and having a way to contact help in case of breakdowns or accidents.
• Plan Your Route: Plan your route in advance, use GPS navigation if needed, and be aware of road conditions and potential traffic congestion.
• Don’t Drive Aggressively: Avoid aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, road rage, and excessive speeding. Stay patient and courteous.
• Promote Road Safety Education: Encourage road safety education and awareness in your community, schools, and workplaces to promote safe driving practices.

Strategies for Enhancing Road Safety

To address these challenges and promote road safety, a multi-pronged approach is necessary:

Strengthening Legislation and Enforcement

Implementing stringent road safety laws and ensuring their strict enforcement can deter risky behaviors. This includes laws related to speeding, drunk driving, helmet and seatbelt usage, and the use of mobile phones while driving.

Improving Road Infrastructure

Investing in road infrastructure to make roads safer for all users is crucial. This involves designing roads that accommodate all users, including pedestrians and cyclists, improving street lighting, and installing traffic calming measures in residential areas.

Enhancing Vehicle Safety

Promoting the use of vehicles equipped with advanced safety features, such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and airbags, can significantly reduce the severity of injuries in accidents. Regular vehicle maintenance and safety inspections are also vital.

Educating Road Users

Comprehensive educational programs targeting drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists can foster a culture of safety. Education initiatives should focus on the importance of road rules, the consequences of risky behaviors, and the benefits of safe practices.

Promoting Safe Driving Practices

Campaigns that encourage safe driving practices, such as defensive driving courses and the use of safety gear (helmets for bikers, seatbelts for car occupants), can play a significant role in reducing accidents.

Community Engagement and Awareness Campaigns

Engaging communities in road safety initiatives and awareness campaigns can heighten awareness about the importance of road safety and motivate individuals to adopt safer behaviors.

Leveraging Technology

Technology can significantly enhance road safety through the development of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), the use of telematics to monitor driving behavior, and the implementation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion.

In conclusion, road safety is an imperative that requires the collective effort of governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and individuals. By addressing the root causes of road accidents and implementing a holistic approach to road safety, we can significantly reduce the toll of road traffic injuries and deaths. As we move forward, it is crucial that road safety becomes an integral part of national and global agendas, reflecting our commitment to protecting lives and ensuring the well-being of all road users. Let us pledge to make our roads safer, not as a matter of convenience but as a moral and social imperative, to safeguard the future of our communities and the generations to come.

Essay Generator

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Generate an essay on the importance of extracurricular activities for student development

Write an essay discussing the role of technology in modern education.

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• School Education /

Essay on Road Safety: Sample Essay In 100,300 Words

• Updated on  
• Sep 28, 2023

Essay on Road Safety: Road safety is an imperative concern globally, with millions of lives at stake annually due to traffic accidents. This blog delves into the multifaceted issue of road safety, highlighting its pressing importance, the contributing factors behind accidents, and the pivotal measures required to create safer road environments for all.

Must Read: Essay on Education System

Table of Contents

• 1 The Importance of Road Safety
• 2 Factors Contributing to Road Safety
• 3 Innovations for Prevention
• 4 Essay on Road Safety in 100 Words
• 5 Essay on Road Safety in 300 Words

The Importance of Road Safety

Road safety is of paramount importance, safeguarding lives and ensuring the well-being of communities worldwide. Firstly, it prevents tragedies by reducing the risk of accidents and the resulting loss of life and limb. Road accidents inflict immeasurable pain on families and strain healthcare systems. Secondly, road safety plays a pivotal role in economic prosperity. It enables efficient transportation of goods and services, bolstering economic growth. Moreover, reduced accident rates translate to lower healthcare costs and productivity losses. Thus, prioritizing road safety is not just a moral duty but also a sound economic and social investment that fosters a safer, more prosperous society.

Factors Contributing to Road Safety

The following factors contribute to road safety:: 

• Driver Behavior: Responsible driving habits, adherence to speed limits, and avoiding distractions like texting or impaired driving are crucial. Defensive driving techniques help reduce accidents.
• Road Infrastructure: Well-maintained roads with clear signage, proper lighting, and road markings enhance safety. Infrastructure improvements like roundabouts and traffic calming measures can reduce accidents.
• Vehicle Safety: Modern vehicles equipped with advanced safety features, such as ABS brakes, airbags, and collision avoidance systems, contribute to road safety.
• Enforcement: Stringent law enforcement and penalties for traffic violations act as deterrents and encourage compliance with road rules.
• Education and Awareness: Public awareness campaigns, driver education programs, and initiatives to promote responsible road behaviour are essential in fostering a culture of road safety.

Innovations for Prevention

Innovations in road safety are pivotal for preventing accidents and minimizing their severity. One such innovation is the development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These systems utilize technologies like sensors, cameras, and AI algorithms to provide real-time feedback to drivers. They offer features such as lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, which can prevent collisions and reduce the impact of accidents.

Another significant innovation is the emergence of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication. V2X technology enables vehicles to exchange data with each other and with infrastructure like traffic lights. This communication enhances situational awareness, enabling vehicles to anticipate potential hazards and take preventive actions, ultimately making our roads safer for everyone.

Essay on Road Safety in 100 Words

Road safety is a paramount concern for communities worldwide. It encompasses a range of measures and precautions aimed at reducing the risks of accidents and ensuring the well-being of all road users. Adhering to traffic rules, avoiding distractions while driving, and responsible speeding are essential aspects of individual road safety. Moreover, robust road infrastructure, including clear signage and well-maintained roads, plays a pivotal role in accident prevention.

Ultimately, prioritizing road safety is not just a matter of compliance but a collective responsibility to protect lives and promote safe, efficient transportation systems for our societies.

Must Read: Essay On Gender Discrimination

Essay on Road Safety in 300 Words

Road safety is an issue of paramount importance, affecting individuals and communities worldwide. The ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road and the complex dynamics of modern traffic demand a concerted effort to prevent accidents and safeguard lives.

One of the fundamental pillars of road safety is responsible driver behaviour. Adhering to traffic rules, avoiding distractions such as texting or using a phone while driving, and respecting speed limits are essential aspects of individual road safety. 

Furthermore, road infrastructure is a critical factor in ensuring road safety. Well-maintained roads with clear signage, proper lighting, and road markings are essential to guide drivers safely. Innovations in road design, such as the implementation of roundabouts and traffic-calming measures, have been proven to reduce accidents and their severity.

Vehicle safety is another key component. Modern vehicles equipped with advanced safety features, such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), and collision avoidance systems, significantly contribute to road safety. These technologies can prevent accidents or mitigate their consequences when they do occur.

Law enforcement and penalties for traffic violations are also crucial in promoting road safety. Strict enforcement acts as a deterrent, encouraging compliance with road rules and regulations. Drunk driving, speeding, and reckless behaviour should be met with punitive measures to discourage risky conduct on the road.

Education and awareness campaigns play a vital role in fostering a culture of road safety. They aim to educate the public about the risks associated with irresponsible driving and encourage responsible behavior. These campaigns target drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike, emphasizing their shared responsibility for road safety.

Road safety is not merely a matter of compliance; it is a moral and societal duty to protect lives and promote responsible road use.

Road safety is vital to prevent accidents, save lives, reduce injuries, and ensure the orderly flow of traffic.

The most crucial rule is to follow speed limits, as excessive speed is a leading cause of accidents.

A road safety essay discusses measures, behaviours, and strategies to prevent accidents and promote safe road usage for all.

We hope this blog gave you an idea about how to write and present an essay on road safety that puts forth your opinions. The skill of writing an essay comes in handy when appearing for standardized language tests. Thinking of taking one soon? Leverage Edu provides the best online test prep for the same via Leverage Live . Register today to know more!

Amisha Khushara

Hey there! I'm a content writer who turns complex ideas into clear, engaging stories. Think of me as your translator, taking expert knowledge and making it interesting and relatable for everyone.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

Essay on Road Safety

500 words essay on road safety.

In today’s fast-paced world, road accidents are happening at a very high rate. Although, the technological advancements in the automobile industry has thankfully brought down the mortality rates. Nonetheless, there are a lot of potential hazards that are present on the road. Thus, road safety is important to safeguard everyone. In this essay on road safety, we will learn its importance and its basic rules.

Importance of Essay on Road Safety

Road safety is important to safeguard the well-being of everyone including humans and other living beings. This essay on road safety will help us learn about why it is important. A lot of environmental factors determine our road safety.

For instance, if it is raining or there is heavy fog or smog, the visibility of the driver will be hampered. It may result in pile-ups on the highway. Similarly, there are other factors like rain that lead to hydroplaning.

In this phenomenon, the vehicles that travel at high speeds start to slide uncontrollably as the tires of the vehicle push off the ground through a thin film of water present on the road.

However, road safety rules can help us avoid all these dangerous situations easily. When people follow the road safety rules rigorously and maintain their vehicles well, everyone can remain safe.

Most importantly, it is also essential to drive within the prescribed speed limits. Also, one must not use their mobile phone when driving a vehicle. Road safety is of utmost importance to make sure that everyone remains safe and healthy.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Basic Rules of Road Safety

There are a lot of general and basic rules that one must follow when they drive vehicles or use public roads in general. The first rule is to know the signals and pay attention to them rigorously.

This applies to both the driver as well as the pedestrian. Further, it is important for those who are walking to use the sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. It is also essential to be aware of all the rules and laws of the state and abide by them.

Most importantly, it is also mandatory to have an approved driving license before getting on the road with your vehicle. Road safety sensitization is vital to ensure the safety of everyone.

Making the general public aware of the importance of road safety can help reduce the rate of accidents and road mishaps that happen on a daily basis. Seminars and educating people can be helpful to guide them and make them aware of the consequences.

Conclusion of Essay on Road Safety

To sum it up, everyone must follow the road rules. Do not drive at excessive speed and try to enhance the general awareness so risks of traffic accidents can be reduced. One must also check the vehicle health regularly and its maintenance parts to eliminate any potential risks.

FAQ on Essay on Road Safety

Question 1: What is road safety?

Answer 1: Road safety refers to the methods that we adopt to prevent road users from getting injuries or being killed in traffic accidents. They are essential to maintain everyone’s well being.

Question 2: How can one avoid traffic accidents and enhance road safety?

Answer 2: One can avoid traffic accidents by following the road rules strictly. Moreover, they must also make sure their vehicles are always well-maintained. Further, it is also vital to drive within the speed limits of the state. Do not use phones when driving or be under the influence of alcohol.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List

Saving lives in road traffic—ethical aspects

Jessica nihlén fahlquist.

1 Department of Philosophy, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands

2 Division of Philosophy, Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 78B, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden

This article aims at giving an overview of five ethical problem areas relating to traffic safety, thereby providing a general framework for analysing traffic safety from an ethical perspective and encouraging further discussion concerning problems, policies and technology in this area.

Subjects and methods

The problems presented in the article are criminalisation, paternalism, privacy, justice and responsibility, and the reasons for choosing these are the following. First, they are all important areas in moral philosophy. Second, they are fairly general and it should be possible to categorise more specific problems under these headings. Ethical aspects of road traffic have not received the philosophical attention they deserve. Every year, more than 1 million people die globally in traffic accidents, and 20 to 50 million people are injured. Ninety per cent of the road traffic fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries, where it is a growing problem. Politics, economics, culture and technology affect the number of fatalities and injuries, and the measures used to combat deaths in traffic as well as the role of road traffic should be ethically scrutinised. The topics are analysed and discussed from a moral-philosophical perspective, and the discussion includes both theory and applications.

Results and conclusion

The author concludes with some thoughts on how the ethical discussion can be included in the public debate on how to save lives in road traffic. People in industrialised societies are so used to road traffic that it is almost seen as part of nature. Consequently, we do not acknowledge that we can introduce change and that we can affect the role we have given road traffic and cars. By acknowledging the ethical aspects of road traffic and illuminating the way the choices society makes are ethically charged, it becomes clear that there are alternative ways to design the road traffic system. The most important general conclusion is that discussion concerning these alternative ways of designing the system should be encouraged.

Introduction

In the month of September 2001, more people died in car crashes in the United States than in the terrorist attacks (Husak 2004 ). Every year, more than 1 million people die globally in road crashes, and 20 to 50 million people are injured. Ninety per cent of the road traffic fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries, where it is a growing problem. Road traffic accidents are the ninth leading cause of disease in the world (Peden et al. 2004 ). In spite of the gravity of the problem of traffic fatalities, it is seldom discussed as an ethical problem or as giving rise to ethical questions. It is the aim of this paper to provide a general overview of ethical aspects of traffic safety, the focus being on the fatalities and injuries road traffic causes and some major ethical aspects of the measures used to save lives.

The main purpose is to show that just as transportation is analysed and discussed from economic, technological, political and geographical perspectives, its ethical dimensions should be thoroughly and continuously analysed and discussed. Philosophers have not extensively discussed ethical problems relating to transport, although there are some exceptions (Nihlén Fahlquist 2006 ; Husak 2004 ; Husak 1994 ; Zeitler 1997 ), nor have ethics been comprehensively incorporated in the transportation safety discourse, although there are exceptions (Evans 2008 ; Evans 2004 ; Hokstad and Vatn 2008 ; Elvik 2006 ; Elvik 1999 ). In transportation as well as in health care, people die and are prevented from dying due to actions and omissions of individuals as well as functioning and dysfunctional systems and policies. Accordingly, a continuous ethical discussion concerning road traffic is needed. The areas discussed in the following are criminalisation, paternalism, privacy, justice and responsibility. 1 The reasons for this focus is that these are five important areas in moral philosophy and together they provide a rough list according to which many of the more specific ethically relevant issues arising in traffic safety can be categorised.

Criminalisation

In the intersection between law and moral philosophy the question arises of what acts should be considered criminal and in need of punishment. Obviously there are a number of acts in road traffic that are criminalised, and there is a constant discussion in many societies about which acts should be punished and how.

There are two major philosophical perspectives on punishment: retributivists argue that we punish because offenders deserve to be punished and consequentialists argue that punishment is justified only if it is likely to have more advantageous consequences than refraining from punishing would. The law and public debates about law are often a mix of these two perspectives, and this is the case when it comes to traffic legislation.

Social and cultural beliefs, norms and conventions affect the way people view the severity of different traffic offences. Some of the traffic offences are considered less severe by a majority of people, whereas others are seen as more serious. Speeding is an example of an offence that is often not considered a major breach of the law, even though speeding is said to be one of the most important causes of traffic mortality (Corbett 2000 ). In spite of this, about 50% of Swedish car drivers exceed speed limits. High speed contributes substantially to collisions, and the speed that vehicles have in a collision is crucial to the severity of resulting injuries (Vägverket/Swedish National Road Administration 2005 ). It is estimated that about 150 lives could be saved in Sweden every year if everyone stopped exceeding the speed limits. 2 Against this background, the general acceptance of speeding appears quite peculiar. In contrast, drunk driving is considered immoral, and road crashes involving intoxicated drivers resulting in fatality often spur emotionally laden debates concerning how to punish drunk drivers. This example shows that there are conventions about what is right and wrong in road traffic, and these conventions should be questioned in light of what traffic safety researchers find out about the causes of fatalities and injuries. The two philosophical views on punishment become clear when some people suggest long prison sentences and compare driving after drinking to murder, whereas others express their doubts as to whether this is effective, i.e. focussing on the consequences.

An important aim of criminalising an act is to prevent people from performing that act. Whether criminalisation will actually lead to prevention is an empirical question, and it has been argued that this is an often-neglected fact. Schonsheck argues that philosophers and lawyers implicitly assume that if an act is criminalised, people will automatically conform to the new law. In other words, ‘prohibition’ and ‘prevention’ are used interchangeably (Schonsheck, 1994 ). Furthermore, he argues, if we instead talk about criminal prohibition as an attempt to prevent, this forces us to consider failure and alternative ways to prevent the unwanted act. The discussion of whether to criminalise a certain act must take the consequences of enactment and enforcement as well as side effects and costs into account (Schonsheck 1994 ).

To illustrate, consider driving under the influence of alcohol. This is an offence in most countries, and it is sometimes argued that a case of drunk driving resulting in a fatality should be compared to murder. According to Schonsheck’s argument above, even before criminalising driving under the influence of alcohol we ought to consider alternative ways and carefully analyse whether criminalising the act of drunk driving is the most effective way to achieve this result. One alternative method for managing the problem of drunk driving is the so-called alcohol interlock. This is a device that makes it impossible to drive after drinking. The driver has to prove her sobriety through an exhalation sample before starting the car. The interlock is connected to the car’s ignition, and if the measured level is above the maximum level set, the car will not start. Obviously, to force all vehicles to install such a device represents a completely different way of dealing with drunk driving and is likely to meet substantial resistance. Moreover, potential ethical aspects of mandatory alcohol interlocks should be addressed (Grill and Nihlén Fahlquist, forthcoming ). The point is that there are different ways of solving the problem of drunk driving, and criminalisation is one of several methods. Before criminalising an act, or when confronting the question of whether to make the punishment more severe than previously, alternative methods should be discussed before a decision is made. If it is possible to solve a problem like drunk driving without raising the penalties or criminalising more acts, we should at least consider these other methods and treat them as potential alternatives.

The argument above is, of course, a consequentialist one. However, we do not punish solely to prevent unwanted actions. Drunk driving may be criminalised and punished because it is simply seen as morally wrong to risk people’s lives by drinking and driving. Douglas Husak, who sets out to determine the seriousness of drunk driving, has discussed this line of thought. The idea is that the offender should be punished in proportion to her desert, which is a function of how serious the offence is (Husak 1994 ). According to Husak, drunk driving per se is not a very serious crime, but a hierarchy of drunk driving offences should be created that distinguishes between aggravated drunk driving, which is considered a serious offence, and ordinary drunk driving, which is not. Whereas ordinary drunk driving does not create a substantially higher risk of injury compared to sober driving, drunk driving with BAC 0.2% does (Husak 1994 ).

Paternalism

Accusations of paternalism are common in the history of traffic safety debates, for example, about the mandatory use of seatbelts, bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets. It is argued that individual freedom and responsibility are diminished when people are not allowed to decide for themselves whether to accept a certain risk.

There are two major justifications for laws requiring people to use such potentially liberty-limiting devices. First, there is an economic incentive to reduce the costs of saving lives and rehabilitating people. Second, and more controversial, it may be argued that people should be forced to, for example, use a seatbelt for their own good.

Mill, in his famous defence of anti-paternalism, asserts that the only justified interference with the liberty of individuals is that which is aimed at protecting other individuals from harm, the so-called Harm Principle (Mill 1985 ). Since then, many theorists have contributed to the debate on paternalism.

It is possible to argue for the mandatory use of seatbelts from a paternalistic viewpoint or merely from an economic perspective or to combine the two. The proponent of paternalism has two potential justifications for such a law, namely the cost to others and the harm to the individual not using a seatbelt (Schonsheck 1994 ). The only liberal argument for such a law is to point at the economic cost for others created by those not using a seatbelt (Schonsheck 1994 ). The discussion on the potentially paternalistic justification for seatbelts is only applicable to the driver, since the driver can be said to be responsible for not harming her passengers. It could be argued that requiring the driver to make sure that her passengers use seatbelts is an implication of the Harm Principle rather than an instance of paternalism. It has been suggested that accepting Mill’s anti-paternalist view does not necessarily entail refraining from interfering with activities like driving with unbelted passengers (Hansson 2006 ).

As argued by Dworkin concerning the law requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet, if the economic cost is the only reason to require helmets, that could be achieved by requiring that motorcyclists purchase a medical insurance to cover that cost as a condition for licensing (Dworkin 1983 ). Because motorcycling is such a risky activity and the law requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet appears to be quite a reasonable law, it has been said to be an “embarrassment” to the liberal and to make the strongest case for hard paternalism (Feinberg 1986 ).

Often, in real cases, it is not completely clear whether potentially paternalistic measures are introduced purely for paternalistic reasons or because of the societal costs associated with not implementing the new policy. Discussions concerning potentially liberty-limiting devices will surely continue to arise in the context of traffic safety. However, road traffic is very different from, for example, smoking in that driving a car exposes others to substantial risks. The best defence for making alcohol interlocks mandatory in all cars, for instance, is probably that the driver who drinks before driving her car exposes others to a substantial risk. A smoker who does not smoke outside her own free-standing house does not directly cause harm to others, so a prohibition on smoking would arguably be more paternalistic than a law on alcohol interlocks.

During the twentieth century, car driving became a central feature of the social, economic and cultural development of the Western world. Culturally, it is strongly associated with the values of autonomy, independence and freedom of movement. Surely, this is one important reason for the unwillingness of people to be exposed to surveillance cameras and other kinds of control of their driving. There is an inherent tension in the conception of road traffic between the idea of a freedom of movement and an accessible transportation system on the one hand and safety on the other. We want to be able to move freely without restrictions, but we also want to be safe. Those who argue that privacy is merely a prima facie right could possibly argue that safety is a more fundamental value, whereas those embracing a more liberal approach would advocate the value of individual freedom and privacy. The association between the automobile and such values is very strong. It has even been argued that “automobility” complements autonomy and that automobiles enhance privacy (Lomasky 1997 ).

Due to technological development there are a number of new possibilities that either force road users, primarily car drivers, to behave in a certain way to increase safety or that control the behaviour of road users. Alcohol interlocks are an example of the former and surveillance cameras an example of the latter. The development of information technology provides helpful tools that can be used to enhance safety, but sometimes at the possible expense of the privacy of individuals. Vehicle safety technology has been developed with the aim to connect vehicles with roadside infrastructure, and this is likely to have substantial safety benefits, but also to increase the risk of extensive surveillance (Zimmer 2005 ). This raises questions concerning the problem of “privacy in public”. Nissenbaum argues that although lawyers and philosophers have discussed privacy frequently, the focus has been on personal and sensitive information. The problem today is that a large part of the information that can be and is collected is from the previously more or less ignored public sphere. Hence, theories concerning the right to privacy should address the problem of privacy in public (Nissenbaum 1998 ).

Nissenbaum suggests that the problem of privacy in public should be addressed by conceptualising privacy as “contextual integrity”, which essentially means that every context has its own norms of appropriateness and distribution, meaning that what information it is appropriate to share and how this information is to be distributed vary in different contexts (Nissenbaum 2004 ). Zimmer applies these ideas to highway travel, attempting to establish what the existing norms of appropriateness and distribution are in the context of highway travel. He suggests that while it is considered appropriate to share information that is easily observed, for example, the license plate number, it is not in accordance with existing norms to share information about the identity of the vehicle’s occupants. Furthermore, while it is appropriate to share information about license plate numbers, prevailing norms of distribution restrict the ability to receive additional information that is based on the license plate number (Zimmer 2005 ).

Whereas it is important to take existing norms into consideration, it should be acknowledged that we run the risk of adjusting to less and less privacy, meaning that the existing norms equal what we have come to accept because of this adjustment. We should not merely focus on existing norms, but also on critically examined norms.

With new technology being developed at an impressive rate, there is hope that vehicle and road safety will improve substantially. However, since a considerable part of that new technology entails some form of information gathering, its potential threat to privacy should be acknowledged. What is essentially at issue is how to balance the values of individual liberty and safety. Moreover, is what we do as road users private or public? In the developed part of the world, we are used to having access to a private space when driving a car, and many people drive their cars in order to escape the public sphere for a while. However, against the background of the high number of fatalities and injuries, driving a car is noticeably different than, for example, being in one’s home, and it could be questioned whether the private space we now seem to believe we have a right to is reasonable, given the human and economic cost of road traffic. It may not be reasonable to expect the same kind of privacy in our cars as we do in our homes. On the other hand, a considerable number of women die every year due to domestic violence, which would indicate that the argument of people dying is not adequate to defend privacy intrusions in road traffic, but not in our homes. To what extent we should trade privacy for safety is clearly a difficult question, but it is an important ethical question to ask in relation to road traffic.

Traditionally, the departments of transport and their related agencies have managed traffic safety. Consequently, mobility has been the main focus with an emphasis on infrastructure and vehicles, neglecting the safety of non-motorized road users (Peden et al. 2004 ). This is problematic for several reasons. Children, young adults and the elderly are disproportionately exposed to the risk of being injured or killed in a road crash, especially if they are pedestrians (Malek et al. 1990 ; Fontaine and Gourlet 1997 ; Yee et al. 2006 ). Pedestrians and cyclists are generally exposed to a greater risk than car drivers. Intuitively, there appears to be a morally relevant difference between different groups of road users. 3 Clearly, there are substantial differences between child pedestrians and risk-seeking adults who, for instance, choose to ride a motorcycle after having contemplated the risks of doing that. The problem is how to apply this intuition to policy-making and to what extent. It has recently been argued that fewer resources should be spent on “deliberate traffic offenders” in favour of “innocent” road users, for reasons of fairness (Hokstad and Vatn 2008 ).

Since vulnerable road users have a high risk exposure and have to use the roads every day, perhaps they should be the primary focus of safety interventions in areas they are unable to avoid. It could be argued that they have a right to move around outside in a way that does not correspond to a right to drive a car. These groups are not merely the most vulnerable, but in addition they sometimes lack the ability to influence infrastructure, and this should be taken into account in policy-making. Acknowledging the differences of risk exposure and the imbalance of power and responsibility between different groups of road users illuminates the following question. For which group of road users is the road system and the infrastructure designed? Partly this is a practical question and a question of how the road transport system has evolved gradually since the introduction of the automobile, but the way the system works today should be analysed from the perspective of justice as well. It has been argued that the modern road transport system primarily is designed for car drivers, for example due to the fact that enormous amounts of money are spent on highways and the safety of automobiles as opposed to walking paths and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Moreover, as mentioned above, the automobile has been given priority at the cost of pedestrians, and it has been argued that this should be changed for environmental and public health reasons (Gunnarsson 2005 ).

If society’s resources were unlimited it might be thought imperative to save all road users from dying or being injured in road traffic, or rather that it would be imperative to save as many lives as possible as long as measures to enhance safety do not carry with them an unreasonable “ethical cost” in terms of, for instance, intrusions of privacy. However, resources are limited, and priorities have to be set. The question then becomes how resources should be used.

A common device used to decide whether certain road safety measures should be introduced is cost-benefit analysis, which implies that a measure should be taken if the benefits outweigh the costs, but if the opposite is true it should not. Cost-benefit analysis is “an operational definition of what public policy based on a utilitarian calculus implies” (Elvik 2006 ). The benefits are often based on the notion of willingness-to-pay (WTP), which refers to the maximum amount of money a person is willing to pay for that benefit. There are a number of problems with WTP, for instance, that wealthy people often are willing to pay more for two reasons. First, the marginal utility of money declines as a function of the wealth, meaning that the difference between 10 and 20 is greater than the difference between 100 and 120. If a person is wealthy she is likely to be willing to pay more since it does not make a big difference to her financial situation, whereas it could make a big difference for someone who is not as well off. Second, it has been argued that poor people, having to choose more carefully because of lack of resources, may prefer other kinds of benefits at the cost of increased safety (Hokstad and Vatn 2008 ).

Another concept that is used in this approach is value of statistical life (VSL), which is a monetary measure of the benefits to people from small risk reductions that arise from safety projects (Hokstad and Vatn 2008 ). Critics have argued that it is not acceptable to put a monetary value on human life (Elvik 2001 ; Frank 2000 ; Hansson 2007 ; Hauer 1994 ).

Hokstad and Vatn argue that instead of treating utility as the overriding rule for allocation of resources for risk reduction, fairness should be the guiding rule, even if cost-benefit analysis could be one useful tool in the process of arriving at good and fair priorities (Hokstad and Vatn 2008 ).

Following this line of thought, perhaps additional resources should be spent on vulnerable road users, such as child pedestrians, even if it is not the most cost-efficient way to spend public funds. Instead, there are tendencies to assume that children, the elderly and disabled people have less value than non-disabled grown-ups. The concept of disability-adjusted life year (DALY) is used to compare the burden of disease in different countries. It puts a numerical number on mortality and morbidity and counts the years lost due to premature death and the years lived with disabilities. Different disabilities have different numerical values according to how much they are estimated to affect quality of life. This model has been criticised, and one of the objections to it is that the life year lost for a child or an individual older than 55 is counted less than a life year lost for a grown-up individual under the age of 55. Furthermore, the DALY approach assumes that people with a disability have less quality of life than people who do not have a disability and that people with a disability are less entitled to health resources (Arnesen and Nord 1999 ). This, of course, goes against the intuition that vulnerable groups should be protected and perhaps even be the standard measure when designing the infrastructure. Moreover, the very assumption that the quality of an individual’s life can be measured objectively at all and that the only relevant criterion to judge the quality of an individual’s life is whether she has a disability or not and how big of an impairment that particular disability is, from an objective standpoint, raises concern. Surely, most people would be offended by the idea that their quality of life is judged by people who do not know them and determined according to an allegedly objective list with numbers attached to disabilities. Moreover, as noticed by Arnesen and Nord, to assume that the healthier a person is the more valuable their life is to themselves and to society is contrary to the Declaration of Human Rights and its basic notion that all people are equal (Arnesen and Nord 1999 ).

Another problem is how groups with different risk proneness should be treated. For example, motorcyclists have a substantially higher risk of being killed or injured than any other vehicle user (Elliott et al. 2007 ). It has been estimated that the risk of being injured when travelling by motorcycle is about ten times as high as when travelling by car (Aare and von Holst 1999 ). The question is whether motorcycling should be seen as a choice to expose oneself to a greater risk and hence something for which one has to bear a larger proportion of responsibility and possibly cost than for driving a car.

There are local and global socio-economic patterns that entail problems of justice. Poor countries and poor people in all countries bear a disproportionate burden of disease and fatalities. Apart from the cost in terms of human suffering, the economic cost is substantial. It has been estimated that the direct cost due to road crashes is about 1–2 per cent of GNP in low- and middle-income countries and that the total cost to these economies is about US$ 65 billion, which is more than the total annual amount of development assistance they receive (Jacobs et al. 2000 ; Nantulya and Reich 2003 ). Furthermore, there is a growing gap between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries, with the former experiencing improved safety, whereas the latter experience increasing rates of traffic mortality and injuries (Jacobs et al. 2000 ). Concerning health and safety, studies have shown that socio-economic factors affect the severity of injury (Zambon and Hasselberg 2006 ). Furthermore, socio-economic differences affect injuries even when individuals from different socio-economic groups drive cars that are equally safe (Laflamme et al. 2005 ).

The fact that poor people in all countries and regions are exposed to a greater risk is partly due to the fact that they cannot afford to drive a car. Instead, they have to walk, ride a bicycle or motorized two-wheeler or go by public transport. This has implications for the way technology and safety policies are exported from high-income countries. In high-income countries, more car occupants are killed in crashes, which is due to the higher degree of motorization, hence the focus on vehicle safety. Obviously, a focus on vehicle safety would not be the most effective way to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries in countries where vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists are more frequently killed and injured than car occupants (Ameratunga et al. 2006 ).

The problem of the unequal global burden of road traffic fatalities and injuries is related to the philosophical debate on how theories of distributive justice and human rights should incorporate aspects of health and health care (Daniels 2001 ). It has been argued that health inequalities are worse than other kinds of inequalities and that health is of special moral importance (Daniels et al. 2004 ). Furthermore, the concept of health equity should not merely include the distribution of health care, but also the capability to achieve good health (Sen 2004 ). If I have a right to health or a right not to be killed or severely injured in a car crash when I go to the grocery store to buy some milk, whose duty is it to substantiate that right? Is it the government’s duty or, against the background of global inequalities, is it an international duty that should be fulfilled by the United Nations? The concept of a right is not unproblematic in relation to risk exposure. Moral philosophy has traditionally focussed on cases where alternatives for action are given beforehand and where the consequences of these actions are well known. This is often not the case, and whereas a majority of people would agree that killing is wrong, they might be less certain when confronted with a case of exposing someone to a risk of getting killed or injured. Whereas most people would agree that it is not acceptable for me to expose someone else to the risk of being run over by my car if the probability is 1 in 10, it is less clear whether it is permissible if the risk is 1 in 1,000,000. (Hansson 2003 ). If we have an absolute right not to be exposed to the risk of being killed or severely injured by traffic, this would effectively mean that road traffic, in its current shape, would not be allowed. In this case, that right is severely infringed upon everywhere in the world. Most people would probably not approve of such a right since it would dramatically reduce mobility and have serious effects on the economy. So either the concept of a right is not appropriate for road traffic safety or it has to be modified. Perhaps the right could be said to be a right to live in a society where everything that is practically and economically possible has been done to reduce the risk of being killed or severely injured, especially for vulnerable road users. But this becomes a rather vaguely formulated right because it is difficult to determine what “everything that is practically and economically possible” means.

Against the background of the global inequalities in road traffic mortality and injuries, a central question to be addressed is what high-income countries can and should do in order to assist low- and middle-income countries to build infrastructure and vehicles in a way that promotes safety. Although successful strategies in high-income societies could sometimes be transferred, this should be done with caution since the social, cultural and political contexts are different (Nantulya and Reich 2003 ).

Responsibility

Traditionally, driving a car has been seen as associated with the individual and her autonomy and independence. Consequently, accidents have largely been considered an individual responsibility, and a collision has been seen as the result of either unfortunate circumstances or individuals acting wrongly. Increasingly, road safety is instead seen as a joint effort and responsibility as distributed between different actors. Traditionally, the focus of traffic safety policy has been the backward-looking responsibility of the individual road users (Peden et al. 2004 ). The question has been who caused a road crash, and it has been assumed that if A caused the event E, if someone is worthy of blame for it, it would be A, and A has been an individual road user. The focus on individual causal responsibility and blameworthiness is probably connected to the assumption that the most important cause of road crashes is human error (Petridou and Moustaki 2000 ). However, a recent study shows that inadequate road design is the most important cause of people dying in road crashes (Stigsson 2006 ).

Changing the view of causation may be part of a new emerging perspective on responsibility and traffic safety. In 1997 the Swedish Parliament adopted a governmental bill that introduced the so-called Vision Zero as the long-term goal for all traffic safety projects in the country. It received substantial attention, and critics accused the proponents of setting unrealistic and possibly naïve targets. Vision Zero also entailed a fundamentally new view on responsibility and traffic safety. The so-called system designers (e.g, vehicle-producing companies and road maintainers) were assigned a forward-looking responsibility, and it was said that the most important safety-increasing measure was to improve the systems. Hence, the focus shifted from the individual road user to the system designers and from backward-looking responsibility to forward-looking responsibility. Emphasising the systems also entails a shift of focus from the triggering causal factors to the underlying ones. According to Vision Zero individuals are still responsible for following traffic rules, but if they do not live up to these expectations, the system designers must take measures (Nihlén Fahlquist 2006 ). 4

So, what could this mean in practice? As an example, consider a road crash. Let us say that individual A had been drinking alcohol previous to her driving. She obviously did not take responsibility, since she did not follow the rules prohibiting drunk driving. Regardless of how we deal with the causal responsibility and potential blame, the system designers are ascribed responsibility in the forward-looking sense. In practice, this could imply legislation on alcohol interlocks, installing an alcohol interlock in her car, etc. This represents a more pragmatic outlook since it asks what the system designers can do about the more general problem of drunk driving, given that many individual road users do not take responsibility. It is a more realistic approach than the previous one because it acknowledges the facts, in this case that people sometimes ignore traffic legislation. Hopefully what we achieve by blaming (and establishing legal liability) A is that she does not do it again, and if she is also an alcoholic we can hope that she will get help for her disease. However, this does not solve the general problem of drunk driving. To focus on forward-looking responsibility appears to be an effective approach particularly in cases where there are technological devices, like alcohol interlocks, that can solve that general problem. To what extent the automobile industry should be considered responsible, for example, for how they promote new cars is another important aspect to be taken into account. Wetmore describes a change in perspective in the USA that occurred gradually during the twentieth century. In the first part of the century, drivers were considered to be completely responsible, and safety was perceived as being a matter of collision-avoidance. This was eventually replaced in the 1950s–1960s by the so-called crashworthiness approach that emphasised the “second collision”, i.e. what happened after the collision in the phase where injuries occur. This conception of safety put focus on the responsibility of automobile producers who, it was argued, should develop technology that protects people inside their cars. They were supposed to compensate for the shortcomings of the drivers, whose errors and mistakes would always be a fact. This perspective redistributed responsibility from the driver to the vehicle and those who develop technology (Wetmore 2004 ).

When analysing issues of responsibility it is useful to compare road traffic and other modes of transportation, e.g. aviation. The question is how conventions of responsibility distributions have been developed in different areas. It goes without saying that there are differences between road traffic and aviation as modes of transportation and perhaps the different conventions of responsibility are completely justifiable. However, there may also be similarities that should be acknowledged. One of the differences between road traffic and air traffic is that the pilot, besides being the one who flies the plane, is often employed by an airline company and that her passengers in these cases are also customers. This contractual situation has consequences for the issue of responsibility. In cases of commercial aviation, the contract between the employer and the employee and the one between the customers/passengers and the pilot as well as the airline affects the distribution of responsibility. The contracts oblige the pilot to take certain safety measures and to adopt a cautious attitude to flying. A question that may be asked is why the explicit pilot-in-command’s responsibility which makes the pilot responsible for everyone’s, safety on board the aeroplane, does not apply to the car driver.

It is increasingly being acknowledged that road safety is not merely about individual behaviour and that institutional actors should take responsibility in order to decrease the number of fatalities. For example, the European Union has set the target to halve the number of traffic fatalities by 2010.

I would like to end this overview of ethical problem areas in traffic safety with some concluding thoughts on how these five ethical topics can be included and inform policy.

Attempts should be made to analyse the problem at hand carefully and as open-mindedly as possible before rushing to the conclusion that the best way to reduce or eliminate an unwanted and harmful behaviour is to criminalise and punish. Alternatives should be considered and creativity in problem solving encouraged. A good example is drunk driving where the alcohol interlock is a device worth considering as an alternative or at least additional measure to punishment.

Most measures to increase safety in road traffic can be motivated by the notion of protecting others against harm, which means that even a liberal can endorse them. However, there are some measures where the most beneficial to society may be to ignore it, for example motorcyclists not wearing a helmet, but where most people still believe society should protect individuals against harm by legislation or technology. It should be acknowledged that this is the case, and it would be helpful to carefully analyse and discuss new measures, keeping in mind the distinction between harming others and harming oneself. In some cases, most people share an intuition that a measure is justifiable even though it is paternalistic, but in other cases paternalistic measures appear unjustifiable. By acknowledging and discussing such issues freely and publicly we make sure that new laws and technologies are at least closer to being ethically justifiable.

There appears to be a fundamental difference between privacy in our own homes and privacy on the road. The reasons we are equally attached to the notion of privacy in our cars as we are to privacy in our homes are tradition, culture and habits. We should recognise that the great degree of risk-exposure associated with driving may imply that the expectation of privacy on the road is not reasonable.

A humane society protects vulnerable human beings. A humane infrastructure protects vulnerable road users, for example children, the elderly and disabled people. This implies that we should not count their lives or the quality of their lives less than others. It may even mean that additional attention should be directed at protecting such groups. A minimal requirement should be that potential damaging effects on vulnerable groups should always be taken into account when planning infrastructural projects.

The traditional view of responsibility for traffic safety is closely attached to the notion that safety is about individuals driving safely and that accidents are caused by drivers. While this is true to some extent, the emerging view that a major role can and should be played by institutions, for example governments and vehicle-producing companies, is useful and reasonable. The implied notion is that responsibility has to be distributed and shared between different actors if a safer road traffic environment is to be achieved.

People in industrialised societies are so used to road traffic that it is almost considered a part of nature. Consequently, we do not acknowledge that we can introduce change and that we can affect the role we have given road traffic and cars. By acknowledging the ethical aspects of road traffic and illuminating the way the choices society makes are ethically charged, it becomes clear that there are alternative ways to design the road traffic system. The most important general conclusion is that discussion concerning these alternative ways of designing the system should be encouraged. Here are some examples of questions to address in public debates:

• What are the reasons for prohibiting certain behaviour or requiring a certain safety device—to protect the individual from herself, to protect others or to save money? Which of these reasons are valid?
• Should society criminalise unsafe behaviour or use technology (when possible) to eliminate the unwanted behaviour?
• To what extent is it reasonable to expect privacy on the road?
• Should additional measures be used to protect vulnerable road users?
• Should safety be seen as the result of individuals behaving responsibly or the system designers designing safe systems?

Acknowledgements

This article was written when the author carried out research financed by The Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (Vinnova) at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. It was further developed when the author was conducting research at Delft University of Technology for the research program Moral Responsibility in R&D Networks, which is supported by The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) under grant no. 360-20-160.

Conflict of interest

The author discloses any associations that might pose a conflict of interest.

Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.

1 The environmental problems associated with road traffic are not discussed in this particular paper, but it should be acknowledged that they too imply important ethical problems. The focus in this paper is on the prevention of road traffic fatalities and injuries.

2 The road traffic death toll in Sweden is about 400-500 lives a year.

3 A recent survey confirmed that many people have this concern, i.e. that more money should be spent on saving children due to their vulnerability, Hokstad and Vatn ( 2008 ), p. 1445.

4 Norway adopted Vision Zero in 2001. The “Sustainable Traffic Safety” approach in The Netherlands stresses that the unpredictable and fallible nature of human beings as the weakest link in the transport system should be taken into account as a reason to build safer, sustainable systems to be able to cope with human error [Pieter van Vliet and Govert Schemers ( 2000 ) “Sustainable safety” Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management ( http://www.rws-avv.nl/pls/portal30/docs/1771.PDF ), p. 9]. These are similar examples of a changing perspective focussing more on systemic improvement than individual errors and blame.

• Aare M, von Holst H. Injuries from motorcycle and moped crashes in Sweden from 1987 to 1999. Inj Contr Saf Promot. 1999; 10 :131–138. doi: 10.1076/icsp.10.3.131.14556. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Ameratunga S, Hijar M, Norton R. Road traffic injuries: confronting disparities to address a global health problem. Lancet. 2006; 367 (9521):1533–1540. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68654-6. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Anand S, Peter F, Sen A, editors. Public health, ethics and equity. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2004. [ Google Scholar ]
• Arnesen T, Nord E. The value of DALY life: problems with ethics and validity of disability adjusted life years. BMJ. 1999; 27 (319):1423–1425. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Corbett C. A typology of drivers’ responses to speed cameras: Implications for speed limit enforcement and road safety. Psychol Crime Law. 2000; 6 (4):305–330. doi: 10.1080/10683160008409809. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Daniels N. Just health care. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2001. [ Google Scholar ]
• Daniels N, Kennedy B, Kawachi I. Health and inequality, or, why justice is good for our health. In: Anand S, Peter F, Sen A, editors. Public health, ethics and equity. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2004. pp. 63–92. [ Google Scholar ]
• Dworkin G. Paternalism: Some second thoughts. In: Sartorius R, editor. Paternalism. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press; 1983. pp. 105–111. [ Google Scholar ]
• Elliott MA, Baughan CJ, Sexton BF. Errors and violations in relation to motorcyclists’ crash risk. Accident Anal Prev. 2007; 39 (3):491–499. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2006.08.012. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Elvik R. Cost–benefit analysis of road safety measures: Applicability and controversies. Accident Anal Prev. 2001; 33 (1):9–17. doi: 10.1016/S0001-4575(00)00010-5. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Elvik R. Can injury prevention efforts go too far?: Reflections on some possible implications of Vision Zero for road accident fatalities. Accident Anal Prev. 1999; 31 (3):265–286. doi: 10.1016/S0001-4575(98)00079-7. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Elvik R. Are individual preferences always a legitimate basis for evaluating the costs and benefits of public policy?: The case of road traffic law enforcement. Transport Policy. 2006; 13 (5):379–385. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2006.01.002. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Evans L. Traffic safety. Bloomfield: Science Serving Society; 2004. [ Google Scholar ]
• Evans L (2008) Death in traffic. Why are the ethical issues ignored? Studies in Ethics, Law and Technology 2(1). doi:10.2202/1941-6008.1014
• Feinberg J. Harm to self. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1986. [ Google Scholar ]
• Fontaine H, Gourlet Y. Fatal pedestrian accidents in France: A typological analysis. Accident Anal Prev. 1997; 29 (3):303–312. doi: 10.1016/S0001-4575(96)00084-X. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Frank RH. Why is cost-benefit analysis so controversial? J Legal Med. 2000; 29 (2):913–930. doi: 10.1086/468099. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Grill K, Nihlén Fahlquist J Responsibility, paternalism and alcohol interlocks. In Dawson A, Donckers H, Maes L (eds) Ethics of health promotion. Forthcoming from Springer
• Gunnarsson SO (2005) Strategi för att skapa en gångvänlig och mänsklig stad. Fotgängarnas forening Basun 2005:1, available at http://www.fot.se/admin/editor/files/Rapporter/Basun-blom.pdf Accessed 1 April 2009
• Hansson SO. Ethical criteria of risk acceptance. Erkenntnis. 2003; 59 :291–309. doi: 10.1023/A:1026005915919. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Hansson SO. Extended antipaternalism. J Med Ethics. 2006; 31 :97–100. doi: 10.1136/jme.2003.005488. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Hansson SO. Philosophical problems in cost-benefit analysis. Econ Philos. 2007; 23 :163–183. doi: 10.1017/S0266267107001356. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Hauer E. Can one estimate the value of life or is it better to be dead than stuck in traffic? Transport Res A-Pol. 1994; 28 (2):109–118. [ Google Scholar ]
• Hokstad P, Vatn J. Ethical dilemmas in traffic safety work. Safety Sci. 2008; 46 :1435–1449. doi: 10.1016/j.ssci.2007.10.006. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Husak D. Is drunk driving a serious offense? Philos Public Aff. 1994; 23 (1):52–73. doi: 10.1111/j.1088-4963.1994.tb00004.x. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Husak D. Vehicles and crashes: Why is this moral issue overlooked? Soc Theor Pract. 2004; 30 (3):351–370. [ Google Scholar ]
• Jacobs G, Aeron-Thomas A, Astrop A. Estimating global road fatalities. TRL Report 445. London: Transport Research Laboratory; 2000. [ Google Scholar ]
• Laflamme L, Vaez M, Hasselberg M, Kullgren A. Car safety and social differences in traffic injuries among young adult drivers: A study of two-car injury-generating crashes in Sweden. Safety Sci. 2005; 43 :1–10. doi: 10.1016/j.ssci.2004.09.001. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Lomasky LE (1997) Autonomy and automobility, The Independent Review 2(1)
• Malek M, Guyer B, Lescohier I. The epidemiology and prevention of child pedestrian injury. Accident Anal Prev. 1990; 22 (4):301–313. doi: 10.1016/0001-4575(90)90046-N. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Mill JS. On Liberty. London: Penguin; 1985. [ Google Scholar ]
• Nantulya VM, Reich MR. Equity dimensions of road traffic injuries in low- and middle income countries. Inj Contr Saf Promot. 2003; 10 (1-2):13–20. doi: 10.1076/icsp.10.1.13.14116. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Nihlén Fahlquist J. Responsibility ascriptions and Vision Zero. Accident Anal Prev. 2006; 38 (6):1113–1118. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2006.04.020. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Nissenbaum H. Protecting privacy in an a information age: The problem with privacy in public. Law Phil. 1998; 17 :559–596. [ Google Scholar ]
• Nissenbaum H. Privacy as contextual integrity. Wash Law Rev. 2004; 79 (1):119–157. [ Google Scholar ]
• Peden M, Scurfield R, Sleet D, Mohan D, Hyder AA, Jarawan E, Mathers C (ed) (2004) World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention. World Health Organization
• Petridou E, Moustaki M. Human factors in road traffic crashes. Eur J Epidemiol. 2000; 16 (9):819–826. doi: 10.1023/A:1007649804201. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Schonsheck J. On Criminalization. An essay in the philosophy of criminal law. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Press; 1994. [ Google Scholar ]
• Sen A (2004) Why health equity? In: Anand S, Peter F, Sen A. Public Health, Ethics and Equity, (ed) Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 21–33
• Stigsson H (2006) Folksam/Karolinska Institutet (in Swedish), 11 Jan Ekot (Swedish radio news program)
• van Vliet P, Schemers G (2000) Sustainable Safety, Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, The Netherlands. Available at http://www.rws-avv.nl/pls/portal30/docs/1771.PDF . Accessed 8 Dec 2008
• Vägverket/Swedish National Road Administration (2005) Vägverket Uppdrag om hastighetsgränser. publication 2005:100
• Wetmore J. Redefining risks and redistributing responsibilities: Building networks to increase automobile safety. Science Tech Human Values. 2004; 29 :377–404. doi: 10.1177/0162243904264486. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Yee WY, Cameron PA, Bailey MJ. Road traffic injuries in the elderly. Bailey EMJ. 2006; 23 (1):42–46. doi: 10.1136/emj.2005.023754. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Zambon F, Hasselberg M. Socioeconomic differences and motorcycle injuries: Age at risk and injury severity among young drivers. A Swedish nationwide cohort study. Accident Anal Prev. 2006; 38 :1183–1189. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2006.05.005. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Zeitler U. Transport ethics. An ethical analysis of the impact of Passenger transport on human and non-human nature. Aarhus: Aarhus University; 1997. [ Google Scholar ]
• Zimmer M. Surveillance, privacy and the ethics of vehicle safety communication. Ethics Info Tech. 2005; 7 :201–210. doi: 10.1007/s10676-006-0016-0. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

Home — Essay Samples — Business — Safety — Car Safety Measures and Physics

Car Safety Measures and Physics

• Categories: Automobile Cars Safety

About this sample

Words: 1804 |

10 min read

Published: Dec 12, 2018

Words: 1804 | Pages: 4 | 10 min read

Table of contents

Physics principles, car safety features, physics concepts, impacts of features on the safety of passengers, impacts of features upon damage to vehicles.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Science Life Business

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 675 words

5 pages / 2207 words

1 pages / 489 words

4 pages / 1758 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Safety

Safety in engineering works is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a fundamental value that underpins the integrity, efficiency, and ethical responsibility of engineering practices. This essay delves into the critical role [...]

Fear is a natural response to the threat of mass shootings, and society has implemented various preventive measures aimed at enhancing safety. However, it is crucial to consider the psychological impact of these measures on [...]

Seatbelt usage is not merely an obligatory act but a conscious choice to protect oneself from the unpredictable nature of the world. By adopting a poetic and evocative approach, we can transcend the mundane and appeal to readers [...]

Seatbelts have long been recognized as one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, saving countless lives and preventing severe injuries in accidents. Despite this, there are individuals who still choose not to wear [...]

The machine shop contains a lot of machinery and it is very important that all hazards are not over looked. I will be using a range of different, yet similar methods to identify the hazards within the machine shop and I will be [...]

Typically when we think about self defence we are reminded of action movies, where the main character is highly trained in combat, defends him/her self and fights off bad guys. However, having trained in different martial arts [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Road Safety Awareness Essay

Road safety awareness is crucial because it helps reduce the number of injuries and deaths on our roads. In this BYJU’S road safety awareness essay , kids will learn about the critical road safety rules and the importance of following them.

To stay safe, one must know the proper way to drive a car and not rely on in-car technology like a navigation system. It can be challenging to know how much space one needs when driving a large vehicle like an SUV or a bus, so keep in mind that one should leave enough room for emergency vehicles if there is one nearby. Proper knowledge and education on road safety rules are required while driving or walking across the streets.

In addition, ensure to engage your little ones in an interesting activity of writing a short essay on road safety awareness by referring to BYJU’S road safety awareness essay.

Basic Rules of Road Safety

Every step we take in life has a set of rules. Likewise, road safety has a few regulations, and they are very important for us to follow for keeping us safe while driving. Let us learn fundamental road safety rules by reading BYJU’S road safety awareness essay. The first road safety rule is to keep your eyes on the road. If you are driving, it is crucial that you pay attention to the road in front of your car and don’t allow your mind to wander. Driving needs focus and concentration, so you should make sure that you take breaks when your brain starts to feel tired or if something distracts you.

Moreover, one must follow these rules that include removing distractions from the eyes, hands, and mind while driving, using turn signals, and signalling before changes in speed or direction. Following the road safety rules alongside safety in daily life helps us stay safe.

Other road safety rules are to obey all traffic signals like stop signs, red lights etc., wear seatbelts/helmets, maintain the speed limit and safe distance, don’t drink & drive, and also don’t drive without having a driving licence.

Importance of Road Safety

Road safety is the prevention of road accidents by obeying the road safety rules and regulations. The most important factor of road safety is the need for skilful and cautious driving so that passengers, pedestrians and drivers stay safe. Developing better roads is also important to avoid road accidents.

When cars are designed with speed in mind, they are more likely to be involved in a crash, so careful driving is very essential.

Ensuring everyone is safe on the road is important in keeping people’s lives safe from accidents. Driving is the standard way of transportation in today’s world. If someone injures themselves in a road accident, it can be the result of not following the road safety measures. Hence, it is important to follow road safety rules and drive safely.

BYJU’S short essay on road safety awareness is an integral part of kids’ learning . For more essays, stories and poems , visit BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions on Road Safety Awareness Essay

Why is road safety important.

Road safety is important because the more you can be cautious by following the traffic rules to reduce the number of fatalities on the road, the fewer people will die and injuries. It saves lives and prevents people from becoming disabled from injuries.

What are the basic rules of road safety?

The basic rules of road safety are: avoid distractions, obey traffic signals like stop signs, red lights, wear seatbelts/helmets, maintain the speed limit and safe distance, don’t drink & drive, don’t drive without having a driving licence etc. Although many more rules could be discussed, these are the most important ones.

Why should kids refer to BYJU’S road safety awareness essay?

Kids must refer to BYJU’S road safety awareness essay because they learn the vital rules of road safety and understand the importance of road safety awareness.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

• Share Share

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

Essay on Vehicles

Students are often asked to write an essay on Vehicles in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Vehicles

Introduction.

Vehicles are modes of transport. They help us move from one place to another quickly and comfortably. They come in many types, like cars, buses, bikes, and trucks.

Types of Vehicles

Vehicles can be classified into two main types: motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles. Motor vehicles include cars, buses, and trucks. Non-motor vehicles are bicycles, skateboards, or scooters.

Importance of Vehicles

Vehicles are important because they save time and energy. They help us in carrying heavy goods and in travelling long distances. They also play a crucial role in emergencies.

In conclusion, vehicles are an essential part of our lives. They make our lives easier by providing quick and comfortable transport.

Also check:

• 10 Lines on Vehicles

250 Words Essay on Vehicles

Vehicles, as an integral part of modern society, have revolutionized the way we travel and transport goods. They are more than mere machines; they are symbols of human ingenuity and technological advancement.

The Evolution of Vehicles

The evolution of vehicles can be traced back to the invention of the wheel in ancient times. From horse-drawn carriages to steam-powered locomotives, and finally to the contemporary era of fuel-powered and electric vehicles, the journey has been remarkable. The evolution has been driven by the human desire for speed, efficiency, and comfort.

Impact on Society

Vehicles have significantly impacted society, shaping our cities and influencing our lifestyles. They have made remote areas accessible, fueled economic growth, and even changed the dynamics of warfare. However, they have also contributed to environmental challenges like air pollution and global warming.

The Future of Vehicles

With advancements in technology, the future of vehicles looks promising. Autonomous vehicles, powered by artificial intelligence, are expected to redefine transportation. Electric vehicles, with their environmental benefits, are set to replace traditional fuel-powered vehicles.

Vehicles, from their inception to their future prospects, have always been at the forefront of technological progress. They encapsulate the human spirit of innovation and our relentless pursuit of better, faster, and more sustainable ways of transportation. As we move forward, it is imperative to balance our need for speed and convenience with our responsibility towards the environment.

500 Words Essay on Vehicles

Vehicles, as we know them today, are the result of centuries of innovation and technological advancement. They have revolutionized the way humans travel, shaping societies, economies, and cultures. This essay delves into the evolution, significance, and future prospects of vehicles, providing a comprehensive understanding of their role in our world.

The journey of vehicles began with simple, human or animal-powered modes of transportation like carts and carriages. The industrial revolution in the 18th century marked a pivotal point in vehicle evolution with the advent of steam-powered engines. However, it was the invention of the internal combustion engine in the late 19th century that truly transformed the vehicle landscape, leading to the development of modern cars.

In the 20th century, vehicles became more than just a means of transportation; they became symbols of status, freedom, and personal identity. The mass production of vehicles, initiated by Henry Ford, made them affordable and accessible to the average person, further embedding them into our societal fabric.

Significance of Vehicles

Vehicles play a critical role in our lives and societies. They facilitate movement of people and goods, contributing to economic growth and development. They’re integral to various sectors, from agriculture and construction to healthcare and public safety.

Vehicles also have a profound social impact. They enable personal mobility, bridging geographical distances and bringing people closer. They’ve shaped urban development, influencing the layout of cities and suburbs. Moreover, the vehicle industry has been a significant source of employment and technological innovation.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

While vehicles offer numerous benefits, they also pose environmental challenges. They’re major contributors to air pollution and climate change due to the emission of greenhouse gases. The vehicle industry also consumes vast amounts of natural resources, from fossil fuels for operation to metals for production.

In response, there’s a growing shift towards sustainable transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs), powered by renewable energy sources, are gaining popularity. They offer a promising solution to reduce pollution and dependence on fossil fuels. Furthermore, advancements in technology are leading to more efficient and eco-friendly production methods.

The future of vehicles is poised to be as transformative as their past. Autonomous vehicles, powered by artificial intelligence, are on the horizon, promising to redefine transportation. They have the potential to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and provide mobility to those unable to drive.

In addition, the concept of shared mobility is gaining traction, driven by the rise of ride-sharing platforms. This could lead to a decrease in vehicle ownership, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and their environmental impact.

Vehicles have come a long way from their humble beginnings. They’ve transformed our lives, societies, and the world at large. As we move towards a more sustainable and connected future, vehicles will continue to evolve, adapting to our changing needs and challenges. They stand as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of progress.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on My Favourite Vegetable
• Essay on Importance of Vegetables
• Essay on Vegetables

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Watch CBS News

Few small popular SUVs achieve success in new crash prevention test aimed at reducing accident severity

By Kris Van Cleave , Kelsie Hoffman

Updated on: April 25, 2024 / 2:51 PM EDT / CBS News

Dramatic new crash tests on popular small SUVs show driver assistance systems aimed at avoiding or reducing the severity of a crash struggled at higher speeds.

The new vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test results , released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on Thursday, show most models did not perform well.

"We really wanted to push manufacturers further and so we've increased our test speeds," institute President David Aylor said.

The IIHS previously tested similar driver assistance systems for low-speed crashes between 12 and 25 miles per hour. By 2022, every system tested earned high marks. 

The new testing ranged from 31 to 43 miles per hour and also evaluated how well the small SUVs detect and warn drivers approaching a stopped motorcycle or large truck. It found room for improvement  

"Unfortunately not very many of the vehicles did well," Aylor said.

According to the IIHS, multiple trials are carried out under the new system at speeds of 31 mph, 37 mph and 43 mph.

Only the Subaru Forester scored top marks in the updated test, avoiding collisions at every speed and alerting the driver to obstacles more than two seconds before a likely collision.

"That's why we release these ratings to really encourage manufacturers to improve their performances across the board," Aylor said.

Two other small SUVs, the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, rated acceptable. 

Three vehicles, the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Compass scored marginal.

The Volkswagen Taos, Mitsubishi Outlander, Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5 rated poor.

"Obviously, crashes that happen at higher speeds are more dangerous," said David Kidd, a senior research scientist with IIHS. "Deadly underride crashes often occur when the struck vehicle is a large truck, and motorcyclists are frequently killed when they're rear-ended by a passenger car, since their bike offers no protection from the impact."

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents carmakers, said in a statement, "Automatic emergency braking (AEB) is a breakthrough safety technology automakers developed to help detect imminent vehicle collisions, warn drivers and automatically apply the brakes. This lifesaving technology uses radar, cameras and lasers to help prevent crashes and protect pedestrians in varying conditions.

"Lifesaving AEB technology is on U.S. roads today  because of industry's voluntary commitment to install the system in all new vehicles by 2025. It is  estimated AEB could prevent 42,000 crashes and 20,000 injuries annually."

General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors and Volkswagen released the following statements to CBS News regarding the test results:

General Motors

"We are confident in the safety of the Chevrolet Equinox that achieved a 5-star safety overall rating from NHTSA's comprehensive New Car Assessment Program. We appreciate the IIHS's introduction of new front crash prevention test protocols and will look to incorporate the findings into our designs."

"Mazda is always looking to improve our suite of advanced driver assistance features, including the automatic emergency braking systems that IIHS has put to the test at higher speeds and with varied obstacles. We are currently evaluating IIHS's new front crash avoidance criteria and believe we can achieve higher ratings in the near future."

Mitsubishi Motors

"Mitsubishi Motors vehicles meet or exceed every required safety standard in the US, and have been recognized by IIHS for excelling in IIHS' own testing protocols.  The requirements of this particular test exceed any applicable safety standard.  While we are disappointed to see the Outlander's score in the test, we remain confident in the Outlander's real-world safety technology given the vehicle's 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick rating."

"The safety of our customers is a top priority for Volkswagen. Our driver assistance systems are designed to aid drivers, but are not substitutes for attentive driving. Just as IIHS continues to push the requirements for their testing programs, similarly Volkswagen continues to work on improving our driver assistance systems as new models are developed to better protect our customers."

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Kris Van Cleave is CBS News' senior transportation and national correspondent based in Phoenix.

More from CBS News

Pro-Palestinian protests leave American college campuses on edge

Eric Church transforms hardship into harmony at new Nashville hotspot

U.S. birth rate drops to record low, ending pandemic uptick

In-home caregivers face financial distress despite state program

US probes Tesla recall of 2 million vehicles over Autopilot, citing concerns

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. auto safety regulators said Friday they have opened an investigation into whether Tesla's recall of more than 2 million vehicles announced in December to install new Autopilot safeguards is adequate.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it was opening an investigation after the agency identified concerns due to crash events after vehicles had the recall software update installed "and results from preliminary NHTSA tests of remedied vehicles."

The agency's new probe comes after it closed its nearly three-year investigation into Autopilot, saying it found evidence that "Tesla’s weak driver engagement system was not appropriate for Autopilot’s permissive operating capabilities" that result in a "critical safety gap."

NHTSA also cited Tesla's statement "that a portion of the remedy both requires the owner to opt in and allows a driver to readily reverse it."

The agency said Tesla has issued software updates to address issues that appear related to its concerns but has not made them "a part of the recall or otherwise determined to remedy a defect that poses an unreasonable safety risk."

Tesla said in December's its largest-ever recall covering 2.03 million U.S. vehicles - or nearly all of its vehicles on U.S. roads - was to better ensure drivers pay attention when using its advanced driver assistance system.

The new recall investigation covers Model Y, X, S, 3 and Cybertruck vehicles in the U.S. equipped with Autopilot produced between the 2012 and 2024 model years, NHTSA said.

Tesla said in December Autopilot's software system controls "may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse" and could increase the risk of a crash.

The auto safety agency disclosed Friday that during its Autopilot safety probe it first launched in August 2021 it identified at least 13 Tesla crashes involving one or more death and many more involving serious injuries in which "foreseeable driver misuse of the system played an apparent role."

NHTSA also on Friday raised concerns about Tesla's Autopilot name "may lead drivers to believe that the automation has

greater capabilities than it does and invite drivers to overly trust the automation."

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In February, Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization that evaluates products and services, said its testing of Tesla's Autopilot recall update found changes did not adequately address many safety concerns raised by NHTSA and urged the agency to require the automaker to take "stronger steps," saying Tesla's recall "addresses minor inconveniences rather than fixing the real problems."

Tesla's Autopilot is intended to enable cars to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within their lane, while enhanced Autopilot can assist in changing lanes on highways but does not make vehicles autonomous.

One component of Autopilot is Autosteer, which maintains a set speed or following distance and works to keep a vehicle in its driving lane.

Tesla said in December it did not agree with NHTSA's analysis but would deploy an over-the-air software update that will "incorporate additional controls and alerts to those already existing on affected vehicles to further encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged."

NHTSA's then top official, Ann Carlson, said in December the agency probe determined that more needed to be done to ensure drivers are engaged when Autopilot is in use. "One of the things we determined is that drivers are not always paying attention when that system is on," Carlson said.

NHTSA opened its August 2021 probe of Autopilot after identifying more than a dozen crashes in which Tesla vehicles hit stationary emergency vehicles.

NHTSA said in December it found Autopilot "can provide inadequate driver engagement and usage controls that can lead to foreseeable misuse."

Separately, since 2016, NHTSA has opened more than 40 Tesla special crash investigations in cases where driver systems such as Autopilot were suspected of being used, with 23 crash deaths reported to date.

Tesla's recall includes increasing prominence of visual alerts and disengaging of Autosteer if drivers do not respond to inattentiveness warnings and additional checks upon engaging Autosteer. Tesla said it will restrict Autopilot use for one week if significant improper usage is detected.

Tesla disclosed in October the U.S. Justice Department issued subpoenas related to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot. Reuters reported in October 2022 that Tesla was under criminal investigation.

Tesla in February 2023 recalled 362,000 U.S. vehicles to update its FSD Beta software after NHTSA said the vehicles did not adequately adhere to traffic safety laws and could cause crashes.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jason Neely and Louise Heavens)

Regulators launch review of whether Tesla did enough to fix Autopilot

Tesla recalled 2 million cars with autopilot to add warnings; federal regulators are questioning whether the remedy goes far enough.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a new review of Tesla’s Autopilot system, signaling apprehension that the automaker did not do enough to remedy the regulator’s concerns for driver safety with its recall of 2 million cars equipped with the system in December.

In a memo dated Thursday , the agency said it was opening what’s known as a “recall query” and that it has “identified concerns due to post-remedy crash events and results from preliminary NHTSA tests of remedied vehicles.”

Tesla agreed to the recall following a string of deadly crashes and a two-year investigation by NHTSA into whether Autopilot had enough safeguards to keep drivers alert while the system was engaged. In its December recall notice to consumers, the agency said it found that Autopilot’s key Autosteer feature “may not” have sufficient controls to “prevent driver misuse,” such as using the feature outside the controlled-access highways for which it was designed.

Tesla disputed the agency’s criticisms but said it solved the issue with software updates that added alerts to remind drivers to pay attention while using the automated driving system. The company did not limit where the system could operate, which experts at the time said would have been a better fix.

At least one fatal accident has involved a Tesla using Autopilot on a road with cross traffic, for which the car’s manual says it is not designed.

NHTSA’s new action comes after testing the cars at its facility in Ohio. The agency memo said that parts of the fix issued by Tesla required drivers to opt in and could be easily reversed. NHTSA also said it had questions about other more recent changes Tesla has made to Autopilot that appeared to be linked to regulators’ concerns.

The review showcases the intense scrutiny Tesla is under from federal regulators, who reviewed more than 900 crashes involving Autopilot as part of the investigation.

It also underscores NHTSA’s limited authority. The agency can investigate safety problems and order recalls, but it cannot tell vehicle manufacturers how to fix the issues that investigators uncover.

NHTSA said it kept the investigation into Autopilot open even after the recall.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new review early Friday.

The agency’s new action comes on the heels of a grim earnings report this week; Tesla reported a steeper-than-expected 55 percent plunge in profit amid lagging sales and increased competition. CEO Elon Musk has staked the company’s future on autonomous driving, recently promising to unveil a fully self-driving robotaxi in August.

At the same time, the company faces a string of lawsuits that allege Tesla exaggerated the true capabilities of its Autopilot technology and created a false sense of security for drivers who died or were seriously injured in crashes.

In court documents, the company maintains it is not liable for the crashes because it repeatedly warns drivers to remain in control of the vehicle.

December’s recall followed a Post investigation that identified at least eight fatal or serious crashes on roads where Autopilot was not designed to be used.

The National Transportation Safety Board and others have asked federal regulators to force the company to limit use of the technology only to where it is designed to operate. NHTSA has rejected that approach as too complex and resource intensive.

This story will be updated.

• Updated Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Captioning Policy

Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by  Factset . Powered and implemented by  FactSet Digital Solutions .  Legal Statement .

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. FAQ - New Privacy Policy

Just one out of 10 SUVs receives 'good' crash test rating

Honda cr-v, toyota rav4 achieved acceptable ratings.

Car dealers give honest opinions on electric vehicles versus traditional gas cars

Two Jersey City dealership owners told Fox News Digital they are not fully convinced EVs should be the only vehicle in the household.

Only one in 10 small SUVs evaluated during an updated crash test earned a "good" rating, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 

The organization announced Thursday that it has updated its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test to address crashes that occur at higher speeds as well as crashes in which the struck vehicle is either a motorcycle or large truck. 

Through research and evaluation, the group works to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage in motor vehicle crashes. This latest test update, according to IIHS President David Harkey, was "vital" to one of its more successful test-run programs. 

WAYMO SELF-DRIVING CAR CRASHES INTO SAN FRANCISCO BICYCLIST

During the updated test , the Subaru Forester was the only small SUV to earn a "good" rating, according to the IIHS. Meanwhile, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, achieved acceptable ratings.

The Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Compass earned marginal ratings, but the Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander and Volkswagen Taos rated poorly, according to the data.

The 2024 Subaru Forester at AutoMobility LA ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, on November 16, 2023. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

"The vast majority of new vehicles now come with automatic emergency braking, and our research shows the technology prevents as many as half of all front-to-rear crashes," he said. "This new, tougher evaluation targets some of the most dangerous front-to-rear crashes that are still happening."

TESLA DRIVER USING AUTOPILOT MODE CHARGED WITH VEHICULAR HOMICIDE IN DEATH OF MOTORCYCLIST

The issue is that the original vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention evaluation was developed when the technology was relatively new. As a result, the performance requirements only addressed low-speed crashes, according to the IIHS. It had test runs at 12 mph and 25 mph. When the original evaluation was discontinued at the end of 2022, all of the vehicles that were tested were earning the top rating of superior.

The group said that separate research has also shown that the systems used today are less effective at preventing crashes with motorcycles and medium or heavy trucks than they are at preventing crashes with other passenger vehicles.

A worker polishes a 2019 Subaru Forester at the New York International Auto Show, on March 28, 2018, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.  (Drew Angerer/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The updated test included trial runs at 31 mph, 37 mph and 43 mph. In addition to a passenger car target, the test examined the performance with a motorcycle target and a semitrailer.

The IIHS said this new evaluation better "reflects a substantially greater proportion of police-reported front-to-rear crashes, including many that are more severe." 

However, IIHS noted that even cars that were rated "marginal" in the test still demonstrated "a higher level of performance than what was required for the highest rating in the original vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention evaluation." 

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

The reason the Forester was rated the best was because it avoided a collision with the passenger car target at every test speed. It also avoided hitting the motorcycle target at 31 mph and 37 mph, and slowed by an average of 30 mph before hitting the motorcycle target in the 43 mph tests, according to the IIHS data. 

The group also noted that the forward collision warning alerts on the car also came more than the required 2.1 seconds before the projected time of impact in all the trials, and also in those conducted with the trailer.

Ford told FOX Business that its 2023-24 Ford Escape "meets or exceeds all current safety regulations and requirements." 

A 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite. (Ford Motor Co. / Fox News)

"We are always working to continuously improve and we consider IIHS and other third-party feedback in vehicle development," Ford said, adding that the 2023-24 model year "has a 5-star overall NHTSA rating, which is among the top on the market today."

Stellantis, which owns the Jeep brand, told FOX Business that "every vehicle meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards" and that the company closely monitors third-party ratings. 

"However, we engineer our vehicles for real-world performance. No single test determines vehicle safety," the company continued. 

Mazda noted that the company is always looking to improve its "suite of advanced driver assistance features, including the automatic emergency braking systems that IIHS has put to the test at higher speeds and with varied obstacles." 

The company said it is currently evaluating IIHS’ new front crash avoidance criteria and believes it "can achieve higher ratings in the near future."

Mitsubishi Motors North America told FOX Business that its vehicles "meet or exceed every required safety standard in the U.S., and have been recognized by IIHS for excelling in IIHS' own testing protocols." 

The company added that "the requirements of this particular test exceed any applicable safety standard" and that it remains "confident" in the 2024 Outlander's real-world safety technology, given the vehicle's IIHS Top Safety Pick rating.

General Motors, which owns the Chevy brand, told FOX Business that its "confident in the safety of the Chevrolet Equinox that achieved a 5-star safety overall rating from NHTSA’s comprehensive New Car Assessment Program." 

It also plans to incorporate the IIHS findings into its designs.

Tesla that fatally hit Washington motorcyclist may have been in autopilot; driver arrested

Jeffrey nissen was killed in a crash with a tesla on friday. the driver, who was arrested, says he was on the company's autopilot system when the crash happened..

A Tesla that fatally hit a motorcyclist in Washington state was on the company's autopilot driving system, the surviving driver told authorities, who have not yet verified the claim.

Twenty-eight-year-old Jeffrey Nissen of Stanwood, Washington, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash Friday after he was hit by a Tesla Model-S and thrown from his bike on State Route 522 in Maltby, Washington, about 25 miles northeast of Seattle.

Nissen had slowed for traffic while the Tesla diver did not, police said.

The Tesla's 56-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide and told police that he had been using the car's autopilot program at the time of the crash.

Here's what we know.

Driver arrested after police say he was distracted

In a probable-cause document obtained by the Seattle Times , an officer wrote that the driver was arrested for "inattention to driving, while on autopilot mode, and the distraction of the cell phone while moving forward." The driver trusted "the machine to drive for him," the document said.

The driver also told police that the car became stuck on top of the motorcyclist and couldn't be moved in time to save him, according to the document, the Times reported.

Investigators have not verified that the driver was using autopilot at the time of the crash, according to Washington State Patrol Capt. Deion Glover.

"It’s still in the early stages of investigation as a lot of unknowns are still out there," Glover said in an email.

USA TODAY reached out to Nissen's family through a GoFundMe page for his funeral costs .

Autopilot has had safety problems in past

In December, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a  recall  of more than  two million Teslas  over issues with the cars' autopilot feature.

"In certain circumstances when the Autosteer feature is engaged, and the driver does not maintain personal responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash," according to the  recall notice from the agency .

The recall affected the following Tesla vehicles: the 2012-2023  Model S , 2016-2023  Model X , 2017-2023  Model 3 , and 2020-2023  Model Y  vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer.

Tesla sent an over-the-air software update to all cars to comply with the recall after the Washington Post published an investigation into crashes, including some fatal , that occurred while autopilot was engaged in situations where it should not have been.

In January, a similar recall occurred in China, affecting over 1.6 million cars.

Earlier this month, Tesla settled a wrongful death lawsuit involving a crash that  killed Apple engineer Wei Lun "Walter" Huang after the Model X he was in veered off a highway and crashed in 2018. An investigative report  found fault with both the Tesla and the driver , saying he was likely distracted and that the Tesla's autopilot failed to keep the vehicle in its lane, and that its collision-avoidance software failed to detect a highway barrier.

Elon Musk addresses autopilot's future with Tesla

In the company's first quarter earnings call Tesla CEO Elon Musk doubled down on the role of autopilot in the company's future.

"If someone does not believe that Tesla can solve autonomy, I don't think they should be an investor in the company," Musk said.

USA TODAY reached out to Tesla for comment on the latest crash and did not receive a response.

Contribution: Emily DeLetter , Natalie Neysa Alund

Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery

Latest facts.

13 Facts About Brain Tumor Awareness Month US May

13 Facts About Community Garden Week Apr 1st To Apr 7th

40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact: