car and bicycle accident essay

Friday essay: how a bike accident changed me, by a philosopher of hope

car and bicycle accident essay

Senior Research Fellow in the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry, Australian Catholic University

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David Newheiser does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Cycling once made me feel free unlike anything else. I loved the sensation of slicing through the air, flying past pedestrians and cars stalled in traffic. Where I live (in Melbourne’s inner north), the best way to get around is by bike.

One sunny Sunday in March last year, my partner and I set off to explore the city. As I approached an intersection near our home, I felt some fear, as I always did with cars nearby. Out of the corner of my eye I watched an SUV driving alongside me, worried it would turn suddenly and hit me across the side.

As I accelerated to avoid that danger, another car made an illegal turn ahead of me, blocking the bike path. I remember yelling, hearing the crunch of my body hitting the car – but after that there’s a gap.

“Blacking out” is a good name for it. We spend roughly eight hours each day in a state of semi-consciousness. However, as our half-remembered dreams remind us, the mind remains active while we’re asleep. This felt different, a forcible blank.

The next thing I knew, I was picking myself off the asphalt, rushing to drag myself out of an eight-lane thoroughfare before another wave of traffic arrived.

car and bicycle accident essay

Read more: 3 in 4 people want to ride a bike but are put off by lack of safe lanes

An unreliable mind

At first I thought my injuries were only musculoskeletal, but within a week my head started hurting – and it hasn’t stopped since. Although I was wearing a helmet, I’d suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. Whereas most people recover completely within weeks, some cases take longer to resolve. I am in that minority.

For a year my headache was piercing, a constant intrusion. Now it simply pervades, colouring everything. What’s worse, sustained concentration intensifies my headache and makes me feel woozy.

car and bicycle accident essay

In the first few months, chatting with a friend would leave me exhausted after just a few minutes. Even now, as my brain tires, it becomes harder to find the right words.

I have learned how claustrophobic chronic pain can become, but for me this wasn’t the worst of it. Because writing and thinking are at the centre of my life, it broke my heart to find that my mind was unreliable. It’s not just that it was harder to connect with others – I felt alienated even from myself.

I have sometimes found it difficult to keep hope, cut off from the future I had imagined. However, in my loneliest moments I was sustained by the care of doctors, nurses, friends and neighbours.

This experience of unexpected connection has transformed me in ways I couldn’t predict. Before my accident I enjoyed the unconscious confidence of the chronically well. I knew that everyone’s health runs out eventually, but somehow that seemed like a problem for other people.

Now, I carry a constant reminder that disaster can come for any of us. As a result, I have a renewed conviction that everyone should have the support required for a flourishing life. This is important because we are all vulnerable, and we all rely on others. However, it is particularly urgent in the context of the ongoing pandemic.

According to the best estimates, the pandemic has killed 20 million people and left millions more with long-term respiratory, cardiac and neurological symptoms. Faced with figures like these, fatalism is an understandable response. After all, COVID is a global force that even the most conscientious individual can’t do much to change.

At the same time, COVID reminds us we aren’t just individuals – the ebb and flow of case numbers makes clear that our wellbeing is interconnected. Much as my recovery has shown we are all knit within networks of support, the pandemic is an opportunity to imagine a world in which no one is left behind.

As I have found, each individual is limited, but there is power in solidarity.

car and bicycle accident essay

Love and marmalade

For most of my life, I was confident I would be able to address whatever challenges I’d face. After my accident, however, my capacities were suddenly altered, and so I found myself reliant on others.

The help I needed was, first of all, practical. Within moments of my collision, I had to get out of the road despite being in a state of extreme disorientation. For that I have to thank a stranger whose name I no longer remember.

In the following months, I received care from a number of specialists: physicians, physiotherapists, a speech pathologist, a neuropsychologist, an occupational therapist, and others. I’m much better off than I would have been without them, but at the same time I have seen the limits of medicine. There is no pill to magically make my symptoms disappear. Instead, my carers have taught me to manage while waiting for slow, unsteady improvements.

I am lucky to live in a society that promises broad access to medical care. Even so, due to my injury I found the logistics of my treatment overwhelming, and so my partner managed the details. Two weeks after my accident, however, she had an accident of her own. Just when my resources were lowest, I spent a week by her bed in hospital, waiting for surgery to reconstruct her shattered jaw.

With both of us stricken, the care we received from friends and neighbours was astonishing. Many people left soup on our doorstep, and those who lived too far away sent some instead. For months we rested in the knowledge that we didn’t need to worry about what was for dinner. During a time when we were overwhelmed by the weight of each day, this made life a little easier, but it also meant something more.

car and bicycle accident essay

At my lowest moment, several months in, two parcels arrived on the same day. Both contained care package standards: herbal tea, biscuits, a mug, and so forth. (For variety, there was also one jar of a “gentleman’s relish” made from pulverised anchovies.)

As I opened the second box, I broke down and sobbed for several minutes.

In itself, the marmalade I held in my hand didn’t change my situation. However, the fact that someone had thought to send it to me cut through the fog and funk I was feeling. This was love, and it gave me a line to life.

Worlds bigger than my imagination

A year before my accident, I’d published my first book, Hope in a Secular Age . It was the culmination of two decades in higher education – first as a student, then as a scholar. I loved feeling the pulse of a quicksilver conversation, mustering the imagination to help it forward, but after my accident this was beyond me.

For most of a year I found myself unable to sustain the concentration required to contribute to my discipline. In fact, reading so much as a page would wreck me. Having lost the person I had worked to become, the life I hoped for seemed out of reach.

car and bicycle accident essay

I write about hope because I believe it is difficult but indispensable . In my book, I reflect on the affinity between atheism and faith, reconsider the place of religion in politics, and trace the thread that connects medieval mysticism and postmodern theory. Most of all, however, I meditate on our capacity to persist even though the future is fragile.

We all have desires that are vulnerable to disappointment. It’s the reason the people we love and the causes we care about can break our hearts – whether because we don’t get what we want or (even worse) because we do, but it wasn’t what we expected.

In the book I argue that hope is what enables us to hold these desires even though we don’t know how things will turn out. To say “I hope” acknowledges that we aren’t sure whether what we want will come to pass, but hope doesn’t take this as a cause to quit. Instead, it endures without guarantees.

The challenges I’ve faced are small compared to what some people experience, but they have tested my capacity for endurance. I spent so much of my life trying to contribute to the world through my work, but suddenly I couldn’t work any more.

Because my aspirations seemed out of reach – for how long, I did not know – there were days when I found it difficult to imagine what my life was for.

car and bicycle accident essay

I can now see that my symptoms were improving even then, but at the time any change was imperceptible. Without hope I was becalmed, untethered from the tug of the future.

But in retrospect, the hopes I had for my work were always too narrow, too tightly tied to systems of labour and reward. In contrast, that jar of marmalade carried the promise of breakfast but also a love that was offered freely, regardless of what I could offer in return.

An everyday gift reminded me that I am held within worlds that are bigger than my imagination .

Our interdependence

Although hope is a capacity that each of us has, no one hopes alone . The care I received gave me the energy to reconsider what my life is for, and this expanded vision put solidarity at the centre. As I have found, even our very resilience is sustained by the support of others.

In Western societies, we often picture politics as a conglomeration of atoms, each independent in itself. On this view, we are autonomous from the outset; the question is when and how we come together for the purpose of cooperation. This focus on the individual has won important protections for sexual and racial minorities. However, my experience suggests that imagining each person as isolated distorts what human life is like.

car and bicycle accident essay

Each of us was born unable to provide for ourselves, but someone fed us. As adults, we all rely on complex networks that enable us to access shelter, food, and everything else we require but can’t create on our own. For this reason, feminist theorists like Judith Butler conclude that we are linked in relations of interdependence.

Before my accident I imagined myself as fairly self-sufficient, but now I have seen how deeply I rely on the support of others. As I have described, in those moments when my hope ran dry, others renewed me. It is not simply that relationships enrich my life: interdependence is essential to who I am.

If this is true, we owe each other more than we often acknowledge. In a medical crisis, many people are disoriented by pain and fear, just as I was, but they don’t have the support I enjoyed. Not everyone lives in a community where people bring soup to their neighbours in need. Not everyone has a partner who can spend hours navigating the healthcare system. In many places, medical care is a privilege only the wealthy can afford.

My life would have been limited without the care I received, but this shouldn’t be a question of luck. This is the central lesson of my recovery: if everyone exists by virtue of their connection to others, we must work to ensure everyone has the support they need to flourish.

Imagining a more equal world

As it stands, in both the United States (my birthplace) and Australia (my home), the wealthy live longer, healthier lives than those who are poorer. This was true before the pandemic, but COVID has made these inequalities worse.

car and bicycle accident essay

Australians living in poverty have been three times more likely to die from the coronavirus than the wealthy. In the US, Indigenous, Black, and Latino Americans are between one and a half times and twice as likely to die of COVID as white Americans. Recent research shows that disadvantaged groups are also more likely to be impacted by the ongoing burden of long COVID .

Read more: Australia is failing marginalised people, and it shows in COVID death rates

Although the available vaccines greatly reduce one’s chance of dying from COVID, it remains a significant danger. Over the past year, the high number of infections have made COVID a leading cause of death among the young as well as the old.

At the same time, even a mild or asymptomatic infection can have lasting consequences. The US Centers for Disease Control estimates that one in five adults develop a new health problem following a COVID infection (such as heart disease, fatigue, or kidney failure), while a recent study sets the figure at 12.7% . Studies indicate that vaccination provides limited protection against long COVID, and it appears that the risks increase with each reinfection.

These risks continue to fall heaviest on those who were already disadvantaged. Those with less wealth have greater difficulty accessing health care , and they face greater exposure to the virus. In addition, these people are at particular risk because the rest of us depend on them.

car and bicycle accident essay

While some of us are able to work from home during periods of high transmission, we require “ essential workers ” to staff our warehouses, factories and grocery stores. In many cases, they are compelled to risk infection by economic necessity : because many low-income workers don’t have access to paid sick leave , they are more likely to be exposed to a coworker who is contagious.

COVID has made existing inequalities worse, but it is also a reminder that we rely on the labour of communities we sometimes forget. For this reason, the pandemic is an invitation take seriously our interdependence by imagining a more equal world.

The global web of wellbeing

Here in Melbourne, the first year of the pandemic was hard. We spent months in lockdown, which is an experience I do not wish to relive. However, the very pressure of that period reminded us we were working together to flatten the curve, support the hospital system, and protect the vulnerable.

I believe we have the capacity to rediscover this sense of common purpose. As I have described, the workplace has been a key site of COVID transmission, and this has left vulnerable communities at particular risk. In response, many unions have argued that employers have a duty to keep their employees safe from COVID, and there is evidence that their work has reduced infection and morality rates.

In keeping with this vision of coordinated action, health experts have argued that, although vaccination is enormously important, more must be done. Crucially, rather than returning to the heavy-handed approach we saw early in the pandemic, these recommendations emphasise the need for effective supports.

car and bicycle accident essay

Because studies have shown mask wearing in public reduces COVID transmission, experts argue governments should provide high-quality masks (as the state of Victoria has recently done ). Since N95 masks (or equivalent) are far more protective than cloth or surgical masks, experts encourage governments to educate the public about their importance. We also need free home tests, income support for those who are unwell, and improved indoor air in public spaces through ventilation and filtration.

car and bicycle accident essay

Implementing these measures at the state or national level would do a great deal to reduce the harms caused by COVID, but the web of wellbeing is global as well. Although only 12% of people in low-income countries are fully vaccinated, wealthy countries have thrown out many millions of doses in recent months.

Read more: Two years into the pandemic, unequal access to COVID-19 treatments threatens the global recovery

This harms people living in lower-income countries (who are twice as likely to die from the virus), but it also makes all of us unsafe. Since unchecked transmission enables new variants of the virus to emerge, it is in everyone’s interest to vaccinate the world.

Because COVID is so contagious , it requires a collective response. As we have seen, insisting upon personal responsibility in place of public health leads to high levels of transmission, death, and disability.

In this way, COVID underlines what I have learned from my slow recovery: because we are all connected, each of us will do best if we all have the support required to flourish.

Rupture and recovery

In my own life, I experience hope as a restlessness that won’t let me go.

For a year following my accident, it wasn’t clear whether and when I would be able to write again. There were times when I wished I could give up the hope to find the fluency that used to be mine, but the desire was lodged too deeply within me.

I don’t know how my recovery will progress from here, and I’m keenly aware of what I’ve already lost. Still, I am trying to embrace the idea that – along with this insistent headache – the experience has left me with something worth preserving.

I think the pandemic presents us all with a similar possibility. Like my injury, it is in no way a good thing. Compared with the challenges I have faced, the suffering caused by COVID is staggering. Still, as a rupture with the normal run of things, it invites us to radical imagination.

Before the pandemic, our world was unequal in many ways. COVID has made these inequalities worse, but it has also made things fragile. Since we have seen that things can change in a flash, we have the chance to work for a world animated by the power of solidarity.

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car and bicycle accident essay

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Examples

Narrative Essay on Road Accident I Witnessed

Narrative essay generator.

Accidents on the road can be life-altering experiences, often leaving a lasting impact on those who witness them. One such incident that I witnessed a few years ago still lingers in my mind, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety. This essay recounts the details of that harrowing event, aiming to shed light on the consequences of negligence and the paramount importance of vigilance while on the road.

The Day of the Accident

It was a bright and sunny afternoon in mid-July. The streets were bustling with people, and the air was filled with the usual cacophony of honking cars, chattering pedestrians, and the distant hum of city life. I was on my way home from school, walking along the sidewalk, lost in thoughts of the day’s events and the homework that awaited me.

As I approached a busy intersection, the traffic light turned green, signaling for pedestrians to cross. I waited for a few seconds, allowing a car to pass before stepping onto the zebra crossing. What happened next unfolded in a matter of seconds but felt like an eternity. A speeding motorcycle, attempting to beat the red light, swerved into view. The rider, realizing too late that he couldn’t make it, attempted to brake but lost control.

The motorcycle skidded across the road, heading straight for a pedestrian about to reach the other side. In a desperate attempt to avoid a direct collision, the rider veered to the left but ended up crashing into a nearby car. The impact was so severe that the rider was thrown off his bike, landing several feet away, motionless.

The Immediate Aftermath

The scene that followed was one of chaos and panic. The sound of the crash had drawn the attention of everyone nearby. Pedestrians screamed, and drivers honked, creating a cacophony of noise. I stood frozen, my heart racing, as I processed what I had just witnessed.

Several people rushed towards the injured rider and the occupants of the car, trying to offer assistance. I remember the overwhelming sense of helplessness as I watched them dial emergency numbers, their voices urgent and shaky. The driver of the car, visibly shaken but uninjured, stepped out to check on the rider, who lay still on the pavement.

Within minutes, the wail of sirens filled the air as an ambulance and police cars arrived at the scene. The medical team quickly attended to the rider, who was fortunately still alive but seriously injured. The police cordoned off the area, redirecting traffic and starting their preliminary investigation into the cause of the accident.

Reflections on the Incident

As the adrenaline faded and I continued my journey home, the gravity of what I had witnessed began to sink in. It was a sobering reminder of how quickly a normal day could turn tragic due to a moment of carelessness. The rider’s decision to speed and beat the red light had not only endangered his life but also those of others around him.

This incident highlighted the critical importance of road safety measures, such as obeying traffic signals, wearing helmets, and driving within speed limits. It also underscored the unpredictable nature of road accidents and the need for both drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant at all times.

In the days that followed, I found myself more cautious and aware of my surroundings while walking or riding in a vehicle. The accident served as a powerful lesson on the consequences of negligence on the road and the collective responsibility we share in preventing such tragedies.

The road accident I witnessed was a stark reminder of the thin line between life and death and the impact of our choices behind the wheel. It taught me the importance of road safety, not just as a set of rules to follow, but as a commitment to protecting ourselves and others. As we navigate the roads of life, let us do so with caution and care, mindful of the precious lives that depend on our vigilance and responsibility. This narrative serves as a call to action for all of us to prioritize safety and make our roads safer for everyone.

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Essay on an accident I saw

Essay on an Accident I saw| Description of A Car Accident Essay

The experience you had in your life of watching an accident is a personal story that describes the incident chronologically and the lessons you take from it.

These are two examples: an essay on an accident I saw; sharing a personal story; and learning from a road accident you encountered in life.

Table of Contents

Pro tips: While you write an essay on any personal story, always present the fact that the story’s influence on your life.

Essay on an Accident I saw points:

  • Introduction
  • Eyewitness experience
  • My immediate reaction
  • Reflecting on the Consequences
  • The impact on me

Short Essay on an Accident I Saw

On a regular day, I was returning from school. It was a hot summer day, and the road was clean and traffic-free. Suddenly, listen to a loud sound: a bike hits an SUV car, and the biker falls onto the road.

Immediately, I ran to the biker. He was without a helmet and heavily injured in the head. Meanwhile, the driver of the car came out and started scolding the biker. I stopped the driver and said, This is the time to help, not fight. I requested that he call an ambulance a few minutes later to the hospital.

This accident experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. This experience taught me the importance of helmets and road safety.

Essay on an accident I saw pdf notes download

Long Essay on an Accident I Saw

The time was early morning on winter’s foggy day. The road was fully covered by fog, and there was not any traffic on the road.

I woke up early that day for my study. I was studying at my table when I suddenly heard the loud sound of someone shouting. I opened my window and saw that somebody had crashed his car into the wall beside the road.

Immediately I ran to that car, and two of my neighbours reached the car, and we together brought the driver outside of the car. He was bleeding from his head and had several other injuries to his body.

The driver had not worn a seatbelt, and that led to several injuries. I called an ambulance within 5 minutes, and it reached and took him to the hospital. In the evening, the police took his car out.

I remember this terrible experience from that accident. It happened so fast that I just can’t believe it in my eyes. This accident reminds me about road safety and the importance of consciousness when driving.

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How to do IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Cyclists and Cars Problems/Solutions (Real Past IELTS Exam)

by Dave | Real Past Tests | 2 Comments

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Cyclists and Cars Problems/Solutions (Real Past IELTS Exam)

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay related to cyclists and cars sharing the road and the related problems/solutions from the real past IELTS exam.

Be sure to sign up for on Patreon.com/HowtodoIELTS for my exclusive Ebooks and other materials!

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Cyclists and Cars Problems/Solutions

When cars and cyclists use the same roads, there are often problems. Why is this the case? What are the solutions? Real Past IELTS Exam

Many issues arise when cyclists and motorists occupy the same streets. In my opinion, this is typically the fault of the former and the solutions all relate to better urban planning.

When cyclists and motorists come into conflict on roads it is often because the cyclist has a warped sense of priority. The general rule of thumb is that when cars have the right of way, they possess the option of yielding to cyclists. Otherwise, since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must allow the car to pass by first so that roads do not become congested. Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the maneuverability, safety, or breaking ability of cars. The result is that cars and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other or, in extreme situations, collisions may result.

The solutions to ease these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to adapt to each other. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. Urban planners have created bike lanes and altered roadways to mitigate potential conflicts. Over time, with clearer rules of engagement and better urban planning, instances of road rage and disagreement have declined. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is key for planners to develop innovative solutions for roundabouts, traffic lights, and bridges that allow for a seamless flow of traffic minus the veiled aggression that typically defines the car and bicycle relationship.

In conclusion, cars and bikes are in opposition because cyclists have overestimated their mode of travel and these issues can be remedied through better urban planning. Implementing these solutions is advisable since biking is such an environmental boon.

1. Many issues arise when cyclists and motorists occupy the same streets. 2. In my opinion, this is typically the fault of the former and the solutions all relate to better urban planning.

  • Paraphrase the overall topic.
  • Write a clear opinion.

1. When cyclists and motorists come into conflict on roads it is often because the cyclist has a warped sense of priority. 2. The general rule of thumb is that when cars have the right of way, they possess the option of yielding to cyclists. 3. Otherwise, since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must allow the car to pass by first so that roads do not become congested. 4. Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the maneuverability, safety, or breaking ability of cars. 5. The result is that cars and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other or, in extreme situations, collisions may result.

  • Write a clear topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
  • Begin to develop your main idea.
  • Continue to develop it with specific ideas.
  • Use linking words to make your writing clearer.
  • State the final result to conclude the paragraph.

1. The solutions to ease these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to adapt to each other. 2. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. 3. Urban planners have created bike lanes and altered roadways to mitigate potential conflicts. 4. Over time, with clearer rules of engagement and better urban planning, instances of road rage and disagreement have declined. 5. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is key for planners to develop innovative solutions for roundabouts, traffic lights, and bridges that allow for a seamless flow of traffic minus the veiled aggression that typically defines the car and bicycle relationship.

  • Write another topic sentence with another clear main idea at the end.
  • Start with an example to vary your paragraph structure.
  • Develop the example.
  • Keep developing the same example.
  • Generalise from your example and make sure you have a second solution.

1. In conclusion, cars and bikes are in opposition because cyclists have overestimated their mode of travel and these issues can be remedied through better urban planning. 2. Implementing these solutions is advisable since biking is such an environmental boon.

  • Repeat your opinion and summarise your arguments.
  • Add a final thought/detail.

What do the words in bold below mean?

Many issues arise when cyclists and motorists occupy the same streets. In my opinion, this is typically the fault of the former and the solutions all relate to better urban planning .

When cyclists and motorists come into conflict on roads it is often because the cyclist has a warped sense of priority . The general rule of thumb is that when cars have the right of way , they possess the option of yielding to cyclists. Otherwise , since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must allow the car to pass by first so that roads do not become congested . Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the maneuverability , safety , or breaking ability of cars. The result is that cars and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other or, in extreme situations , collisions may result .

The solutions to ease these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to adapt to each other. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. Urban planners have created bike lanes and altered roadways to mitigate potential conflicts . Over time , with clearer rules of engagement and better urban planning , instances of road rage and disagreement have declined. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is key for planners to develop innovative solutions for roundabouts , traffic lights , and bridges that allow for a seamless flow of traffic minus the veiled aggression that typically defines the car and bicycle relationship.

In conclusion, cars and bikes are in opposition because cyclists have overestimated their mode of travel and these issues can be remedied through better urban planning. Implementing these solutions is advisable since biking is such an environmental boon .

issues arise problems happen

cyclists people who ride bikes

motorists occupy people driving cars share

fault their mistake

former first mentioned subject

relate have to do with

better urban planning the mapping out of a city

come into conflict disagree

warped sense of priority delusional and feel they should be in front

general rule of thumb normally

the right of way should go first when driving/walking

possess have

option choice

yielding allowing others to go

otherwise if not

allow the car to pass by first let the car go in front

congested busy

maneuverability ability to move

safety not as dangerous

breaking ability how a bike/car stops

at odds in disagreement

wary worried about

extreme situations worst case scenario

collisions may result accidents might happen

ease mitigate

adapt change

urban planners people who plan cities

bike lanes spaces on the roads for bikes

altered roadways changing streets

mitigate potential conflicts lessen possible disagreements

over time in the future

clearer rules of engagement easier to understand how to proceed

better urban planning planning out cities better

road rage getting angry when driving

key very important

develop innovative solutions have new remedies

roundabouts rotaries

traffic lights intersections with lights

seamless flow driving easily

minus taking away

veiled aggression barely hidden anger

typically defines usually is

in opposition fighting

overestimated thinking better than it really is

mode of travel way of traveling (bike, on foot, car, etc.)

remedied fixed

implementing putting into action

advisable should be done

environmental boon good for the Earth

Pronunciation

Listen and repeat:

ˈɪʃuːz əˈraɪz   ˈsaɪklɪsts   ˈməʊtərɪsts ˈɒkjʊpaɪ   fɔːlt   ˈfɔːmə   rɪˈleɪt   ˈbɛtər ˈɜːbən ˈplænɪŋ kʌm ˈɪntuː ˈkɒnflɪkt   wɔːpt sɛns ɒv praɪˈɒrɪti ˈʤɛnərəl ruːl ɒv θʌm ðə raɪt ɒv weɪ pəˈzɛs   ˈɒpʃən   ˈjiːldɪŋ   ˈʌðəwaɪz əˈlaʊ ðə kɑː tuː pɑːs baɪ fɜːst   kənˈʤɛstɪd məˌnuːvərəˈbɪlɪti ˈseɪfti ˈbreɪkɪŋ əˈbɪlɪti   æt ɒdz   ˈweəri   ɪksˈtriːm ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃənz kəˈlɪʒənz meɪ rɪˈzʌlt iːz   əˈdæpt   ˈɜːbən ˈplænəz   baɪk leɪnz   ˈɔːltəd ˈrəʊdweɪz   ˈmɪtɪgeɪt pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈkɒnflɪkts ˈəʊvə taɪm ˈklɪərə ruːlz ɒv ɪnˈgeɪʤmənt   ˈbɛtər ˈɜːbən ˈplænɪŋ rəʊd reɪʤ   kiː   dɪˈvɛləp ɪnˈnɒvətɪv səˈluːʃənz   ˈraʊndəbaʊts ˈtræfɪk laɪts ˈsiːmlɪs fləʊ   ˈmaɪnəs   veɪld əˈgrɛʃ(ə)n   ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li dɪˈfaɪnz   ɪn ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən   ˌəʊvəˈrɛstɪmeɪtɪd   məʊd ɒv ˈtrævl   ˈrɛmɪdid   ˈɪmplɪmɛntɪŋ   ədˈvaɪzəbl   ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmɛntl buːn

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

Many i_______________e when c____________s and m____________________y the same streets. In my opinion, this is typically the f_________t of the f____________r and the solutions all r_____________e to b_______________________g .

When cyclists and motorists c_________________________t on roads it is often because the cyclist has a w__________________________y . The g___________________________b is that when cars have t______________________y , they p________________s the o_______________n of y_______________g to cyclists. O___________________e , since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must a____________________________t so that roads do not become c________________d . Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the m________________________y , s____________y , or b_______________________y of cars. The result is that cars and cyclists are often a___________s and w________y of each other or, in e_____________________s , c_____________________t .

The solutions to e________e these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to a___________t to each other. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. U____________________s have created b______________s and a_____________________s to m_____________________________s . O____________e , with c_________________________t and b________________________g , instances of r_______________________e and disagreement have declined. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is k____y for planners to d_______________________________s for r_______________s , t_____________________s , and bridges that allow for a s____________________w of traffic m__________s the v___________________________n that t_____________________s the car and bicycle relationship.

In conclusion, cars and bikes are i____________________n because cyclists have o___________________d their m____________________l and these issues can be r_________________d through better urban planning. I_____________________g these solutions is a___________________e since biking is such an e____________________________n .

Listen and check:

Listening Practice

Listen about Amsterdam below:

Speaking Practice

Answer the following related questions from the real exam :

Do you like travelling? What is the most beautiful country you have visited? Would you like to have a job that demands travelling to other countries? What problems can occur when travelling? Real Past IELTS Exam

Writing Practice

Write about the following related topic and then check with my sample answer:

The roads in major cities today are often difficult to travel on. What are the causes of this? What are some possible solutions? Real Past IELTS Exam
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Roads in Major Cities (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)

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Jessica Nadal

It is true that when motorists and cyclists drive in the same scheme, conflicts are inevitable. In my opinion, both parties have faults, and implementing better traffic rules and regulations could help the issue. This essay will expand the main causes and possible solutions to this problem.

These days, there are lots of irresponsible drivers on the road, for either cars or bicycles. With this, road accidents are frequently happening. One of the reasons why problems are formed on roads is the carelessness of bicycle drivers. On the mindsets of cyclists, the majority of them believe that entitlements and privileges are always in favor of them when driving on the road. In times of road’s complex situation, cyclists dare to do whatever they want because of their right of way. Another factor to consider which causes highway collisions is the negligence of some car drivers. Examples of this are driving under the influence of alcohol and exceeding the speed limit, which is obviously a traffic violation.

Some possible solutions to avoid road conflicts are the enforcement of traffic laws and a strict protocol for apprehending violators. Good governance of land transportation authority is a must to control road issues. For instance, additional traffic lights and enforcers to accident-prone areas can ease not only the congestion but also the emotional state of mind of drivers. Moreover, adding bicycle lanes or better separating it from highways are ways to mitigate unexpected accidents.

To conclude, there is no denying that road conflicts are unavoidable between cars and bicycles because no one can control the minds of drivers. However, an organize and realistic innovation can play a major role to lessen traffic problems.

Anonymous

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56 Car Accident Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best car accident topic ideas & essay examples, 🎓 most car accident topics to write about, 📌 interesting topics to write about car accident.

  • Causes and Solutions of Car Accidents There are several factors that cause road accidents which comprise the following: majority of the accidents occur due the rise in the number of road users who do not obey traffic rules, drivers who drive […]
  • Car Accidents Prevention The annual costs of car accidents to the economy are estimated to be billions of USD and it is more in countries that import medicines and vehicles.
  • Car Accidents in Kuwait Foreigners are in a hurry because they have a lot of things to do and fail to meet the deadline. Thus, it cannot be denied that the improvement of traffic safety and driving behavior is […]
  • Car Accidents Causes and Measures Poor roadway design makes it difficult to drive The roads may have some obstacles that block the visibility of pedestrians especially when the road has many corners The presence of many speed bumps can limit […]
  • Men are Responsible for More Car Accidents Compared to Women The role of men in car accidents supersedes that of women. The way to safer roads, it seems, is to reduce the number of men in our roads.
  • How to Prevent Car Accidents?
  • Car Accident: Reasons and Responsibilities
  • Seconds Away From Disaster in the Case of My Car Accident
  • Things That Will Cause a Car Accident
  • The Effects of Car Accidents
  • The Liability of a Car Accident
  • Types of Distracted Driving That Cause Car Accidents
  • Car Accident: The Most Disastrous Day Ever
  • Teenagers Cause Higher Number of Car Accidents
  • Intelligent Information’Systems for Cars and Highways: Car Accident
  • Cars and Driving: Car Accident
  • Unusual Car Accidents in the World
  • Requirement of Airbags in Cars During Car Accidents
  • Reflective Journal: The Car Accident
  • Car Accident: Texting and Driving Accident Statistics
  • Car Accidents: How to Prevent Drunk Driving?
  • Google’s First Self-Driving Car Accident
  • Causes of Car Accidents in Oman
  • Road Control: New Rules of the Road to a Car Accident
  • Teenage Driver: Increase in Car Accidents
  • Cell Phone Usage Causes Car Accidents and Injuries
  • The Death of a Car Accident
  • Car Accident: How to Save Yourself?
  • Icy Roads Lead to Increased Risk in Car Accidents
  • Rules and Regulations for Drivers During a Car Accident
  • Risky Driving Contributed to an Increase in Car Accident
  • Car Color and Car Accident: The Relationship of Concepts
  • Teen Drivers and Passengers: Car Accident
  • Car Accident: Costs and Statistics
  • What to Expect Physically After a Car Accident?
  • How Physics Relates to Car Accident and Car Safety in Germany?
  • Types of Spatial Econometric Models of Car Accidents in America
  • Car Accident: Crashes at Intersections
  • Medical Conditions and the Car Accident: A Path of Interrelation
  • Car Accident: Claims and Settlements
  • Car Accident: Interactions Between the Built and Socio-Economic Environment and Driver Demographics
  • How to Cope with Trauma After a Car Accident?
  • Why Do Insurance Companies Prefer Car Accidents vs. Car Crashes?
  • Claiming for a Car Accident Abroad
  • Car Accident and Safety In Tanzania
  • How Is Fault Determined in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident?
  • Common Fatal Injuries After a Car Accident
  • Degrees and Severity of Punishment for Car Accident
  • How to Draw Up a Car Accident Report?
  • NYC Car Accident Guide: What to Do After a Car Accident?
  • Car Accident: Causes of Car Accidents and How to Avoid Them?
  • How Is a Car Accident Defined?
  • Car Accident: The Main Source of Death for Young People
  • Influence of Natural Conditions on Car Accident
  • Car Accident and Traffic Flows: An Econometric Investigation
  • Crime Prevention Research Topics
  • Criminal Justice Essay Topics
  • Crime Ideas
  • Crime Investigation Research Ideas
  • Crime and Punishment Titles
  • Drunk Driving Essay Ideas
  • Alcohol Abuse Paper Topics
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  • Road Accident Essay

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Essay on Road Accident

Road accidents are an unfortunate reality of our lives. The daily news reports generally contain at least one incident of a road accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, the number of casualties and the damage done can be concerning. Road accidents cost a lot of lives and property damage. To avoid accidents, everyone should be more careful and vigilant on the streets. As a driver, one must be extra cautious because one mistake from the driver can cost the lives of innocent others. 

  The Road Accident That I Experienced

I remember the first road accident I witnessed. It had changed my perspective on life. I still remember the date and the day very intricately. It was the 20th of September 2016. I was returning home from tuition. My mother had come to pick me up. It was around 6 o'clock in the evening. When we reached the bus stand, we saw a huge crowd of people at a few feet of distance from the bus stop. There were men in the crowd who were screaming in the regional language. 

At first, we couldn't understand what was going on. After a while of careful overhearing of the conversation of everyone near us, we could understand that there was an accident. So to get to the bottom of it we asked a shopkeeper what had  happened. He told us that indeed an accident took place a while ago. He then went on to give us a detailed event of what happened. According to him, a pedestrian was crossing the road. A passenger's bus had hit him. The man was left bleeding on the street. The people in the area then cornered the bus and assaulted the bus driver. The police were called to the scene. As for the pedestrian, when the police came over, they declared the man dead. However, as a formality, they sent him to the hospital but according to the shopkeeper, there is not much hope for a miracle. 

This incident made me realize how fragile life is. It could very well have been me or my loved one instead of that man.  The man was not at fault as he was following the rules, but because of the ignorance of another careless man, he had to lose his life. This incident has left a scar on my mind which still bothers me at times. 

Road accidents are a fairly tragic event that has dangerously increased in numbers nowadays. Today, there are more automobiles on the streets than ever. Some say that this increase in the number of automobiles is the reason the number of road accidents is increasing too. Some others say that people nowadays have become more careless, this leads to a higher number of accidents due to carelessness. Another problem that is very prevalent in India is the lack of civic sense in people. People in the cities of India do not strictly adhere to the traffic rules; some people also lack the basic road sense. On top of that, certain parts of the city have narrow roads. All these add up to increase road accidents.

Description of Road Accident:

Road accidents are scary for our lives. In recent times it has increased more. Every morning when you open a newspaper every second or third page will have news related to road accidents. The reason for increasing road accidents is due to the fact that people are buying more automobiles and have also become careless while driving vehicles.

Many a time we have seen that people are just avoiding following traffic rules. Especially in metropolitan cities, people are more careless while driving vehicles which ultimately lead to road accidents.

The foremost causes of road accidents in such metropolitan areas can be narrow roads and roads with potholes.

Thus a road accident damages the lives of life and material. People should be very careful while driving or walking on the road.

It is also seen that walking on the road is also equally dangerous because of heavy traffic it can also be harmful to the people walking on the road. Hence, such people should walk on the side of the road or walk on footpaths.

Road Accident Incident:

Once I was coming back from my office at that time when I witnessed a road accident. I was with my co-worker and it was around 6 o’clock in the evening. In the middle of the road, we saw a crowd surrounding something. We weren’t sure what was happening as the first thought that came to our mind was that it was probably a quarrel between two groups of people but then after reaching the spot, we found that an accident had taken place. 

After talking with the people present there, we came to know that a man who was crossing the road met with an accident while crossing the road. A truck passing by hit him leaving him with serious injuries. The man was lying on the ground bleeding and people were calling for an ambulance, plus they also informed the police about the incident. 

Subsequently, the police arrived and caught the driver of the truck as people had already taken a hold of the driver. During the investigation with the driver, the cops came to know that the driver was drunk and was driving the vehicle. Later on, cops detained him and took the injured person to the nearest hospital, and took a statement from the injured person. The driver was released later based on the statement given by the person. That incident made me realize how precious our lives are and we must be very careful when we are walking on the road, on foot, or driving a car.

  Prevention from Road Accidents:

There are some most important points that every person should keep in mind while driving or walking or crossing the road. These points are as follows:

Drive within the prescribed speed limit.

Don’t drink or smoke while driving.

Follow all the traffic rules as they are for our safety.

Never use mobile phones while driving a vehicle.

Always drive in the proper lane.

While riding a bike always wear a helmet.

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FAQs on Road Accident Essay

1.  What are the causes of Road Accidents?

The main cause of road accidents is human beings’ attitude towards not following the traffic rule. Apart from this, there are some major causes of Road Accidents which are as follows:

  Over Speeding

  Drink and drive

  To avoid wearing a helmet while driving a bike.

  Talking on mobile phones.

 To avoid waiting on traffic signals and so are some of the major causes of a road accident.

2.  How to prevent Road Accidents?

Prevention of Road Accidents can only be possible if people change their attitudes towards traffic rules and show some maturity while driving vehicles. People should be very cautious while passing from the crowded area and at such places they should reduce their speed limit. On the turning of the road, they should stop and before crossing the road they should look at the right and left side of the road and then should cross the road.  Last but not least every vehicle should maintain proper distance between two vehicles to avoid a collision.

3.  How to reduce road death and injuries?

To reduce road death and injuries the corporation of the respective cities should see that city roads are connecting areas properly and constructed compactly. The sides of the road should be constructed broad and vendors or any cattle should be avoided who block the roads because sometimes due to unwanted cattle’s road death and fatal injuries might occur.

4.  How should an injured person be treated?

If someone is injured at that time first check the severity of the casualty accordingly and give the treatment. If the person is having normal injuries, first treat him/her with first aid and in the matter of serious injuries call an emergency ambulance.

5.  Why is it important to give First Aid immediately after the accident?

To promote instant relief and to avoid any further damage as well as for speedy recovery it is recommended to give first aid treatment immediately after the accident. This can help to reduce the fatal level of the injuries before getting emergency treatment.  As it is not always possible that emergency care reaches the victim within an hour. In that case, the people who are available next to the victim can give him/her first aid treatment to save his/her life.

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More cyclists are being killed by cars. Advocates say U.S. streets are the problem

David Schaper

car and bicycle accident essay

Cycling advocates and the family of Gerardo Marciales chained a ghost bike at an intersection on Dusable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, where Marciales was hit and killed by a driver who ran a red light. Advocates say the intersection's poor design contributed to the collision. David Schaper/NPR hide caption

Cycling advocates and the family of Gerardo Marciales chained a ghost bike at an intersection on Dusable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, where Marciales was hit and killed by a driver who ran a red light. Advocates say the intersection's poor design contributed to the collision.

One good thing that happened during the pandemic is that people got out their old bikes or bought new ones and started riding them.

And across the country, cities are trying to accommodate this boom in cycling by developing more bike lanes and trails.

But amid a sharp increase in fatalities and serious injuries among cyclists hit by cars and trucks, some cycling advocates say there's often a disconnect between efforts to encourage more biking and ensuring the safety of bicyclists who are using streets that are primarily designed to move cars and trucks through city neighborhoods and urban centers quickly.

Our roads have not always been built to prioritize cars, because the first vehicles to use the nation's streets weren't automobiles; they were carriages and bikes. In fact, the League of American Bicyclists has been around since 1880, long before cars.

"We lobbied Congress at the end of that century to get the first paved roads in the United States," says Bill Nesper, the League's executive director, who adds that it wasn't until after World War II that our streets became so car centric.

"And it continues to this day, a prioritization of moving vehicles as quickly as possible through places," Nesper says. "And it's absolutely true that people moving and getting around by foot and by bike is an afterthought, you know, if thought about at all."

But many cities, including Chicago, are now trying to change that.

car and bicycle accident essay

An illegally double-parked car blocks a bike lane on Lawrence Ave. in Chicago, forcing cyclists to go around into traffic. Such bike lane violations are common are rarely enforced in Chicago and other cities and such painted lanes offer bike riders little protection. "Paint is not protection David Schaper/NPR hide caption

An illegally double-parked car blocks a bike lane on Lawrence Ave. in Chicago, forcing cyclists to go around into traffic. Such bike lane violations are common are rarely enforced in Chicago and other cities and such painted lanes offer bike riders little protection. "Paint is not protection

"We've all had our own close calls"

Earlier this spring, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi announced a new a new $15 million plan to develop and connect 48 new miles of bike trails and corridors, vowing "to build out the most connected system of trails and corridors anywhere in the country," as Biagi said in a recent speech to the City Club of Chicago.

That's in addition to 125 miles of new bike lanes on city streets, with a goal of having a total of 500 miles of bikeways citywide in the next two to three years.

"We have never built bike infrastructure this quickly in our city's history," Biagi said. And to encourage more Chicagoans to get out and ride, Biagi said "we're going to give away 5,000 bikes to Chicago residents. Free bikes! And a helmet and a bike lock!"

The line drew applause at the civic group's luncheon but many of those who ride bikes in Chicago are not clapping. In fact, they've been in a somber mood more often than not lately, because in recent weeks, three cyclists have been hit and killed by cars in incidents cycling advocates say could have been prevented with safer infrastructure and road design.

"I hate putting these on. I hate everything about this," says Christina Whitehouse, founder of the group "Bike Lane Uprising," at a recent memorial event for Gerardo Marciales. She and dozens of other cyclists joined the 41-year old's fiancée and family in placing a ghost bike, a bike spray painted white, at the intersection where he was killed by a driver who used a turn lane to bypass traffic stopped at red light.

"The reason so many people are here is because we've all had our own close calls," Whitehouse told the crowd, with many nodding in agreement.

car and bicycle accident essay

Jaime Bolognone prepare to take a ghost bike honoring her late fiancé, Gerardo Marciales, out into the intersection where he was recently killed. David Schaper/NPR hide caption

The number of bicyclists hit by vehicles has been rising at an alarming rate since the pandemic started

Whitehouse says she was painting Gerardo's ghost bike the night before, when she got word that another cyclist was killed across town.

"I can't keep up with this. We've been buying materials for ghost bikes in bulk," Whitehouse says. "We now have to restock."

Since the pandemic began, the number of bicyclists hit by vehicles has been rising at an alarming rate; pedestrians, too, for that matter. And Whitehouse and others say the problem isn't just drivers speeding and breaking traffic laws, but also road and intersection design and how infrastructure is built and maintained can put cyclists at risk.

At the site of the second fatal collision, a driver on a two-lane street swerved across the center line and slammed head on into the cyclist riding in the other direction.

Amy Rynell of Chicago's Active Transportation Alliance says that street used to have a concrete planter in the median but the city removed it.

"Had that had been in place, that cyclist would still be alive today," Rynell says. "So removing that infrastructure under the auspices of speeding cars up made that street much more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists."

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Photos: bike life traditions in my washington, d.c., neighborhood.

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A bicycle. a trip. or just pants: the things we buy when pining for normal times.

Like many cities, Chicago has been adding bike lanes to its street grid, painting white stripes 4 to 6 feet apart feet on certain thoroughfares, giving cyclists their own lane.

But Rynell says drivers often don't respect them. She's speaking from a spot on Chicago's busiest cycling street, Milwaukee Avenue, where two cyclists have been killed while riding in the bike lane, one of them earlier this month.

Rynell says she rode in that bike lane to get there.

"Every minute I encountered a car parked in the lane, which meant it's not a safe bike lane for me to ride in, because the only way for me to go forward is to go into traffic," Rynell says.

"Paint is not protection," Whitehouse added. "It's not gonna prevent anyone from running me over."

Bike Lane Uprising documents bike lane violations on its website and maps problem areas around the city. Volunteer members upload photos and videos of cars and trucks stopping, parking and driving in bike lanes, as they're often used by cars queuing up for car washes, e-commerce and food delivery vehicles, Uber and Lyft drivers picking up and dropping off riders, and even city Department of Transportation (DOT) and police vehicles. Violations are rarely, if ever, enforced.

car and bicycle accident essay

The roadside memorial to Nick Parlingayan, 22, who was struck and killed by a Car while riding in a bike lane in Chicago. David Schaper/NPR hide caption

The roadside memorial to Nick Parlingayan, 22, who was struck and killed by a Car while riding in a bike lane in Chicago.

Advocates say concrete curbs or barriers can better separate and protect bike lanes from speeding vehicles

Across the country, the number of cyclists that are seriously injured or killed is soaring. According to the National Safety Council, 1,260 bicyclists were killed in 2020, up 16% from the year before and an increase of 44% over the past decade.

Preliminary figures recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate cycling fatalities rose another 5% in 2021.

"While there's been a lot of infrastructure that has been put in the past 20 years, like bike lanes, and protected bike lanes, more connected off-street trails, there still aren't safe places to ride in most communities, where people feel safe," says Bill Nesper of the League of American Bicyclists.

"We believe that (for) all of our streets, there is an engineering solution to this," Nesper adds.

At a minimum, experts suggest painting bike lanes green so they stand out more, and providing more separation by adding plastic bollards between car and bike lanes, although those bollards are easily run over by cars and trucks with little damage to the vehicle. In Chicago and other northern cities, snow plows often knock them down in the winter months.

Advocates say concrete curbs or barriers can better separate and protect bike lanes from speeding car and trucks, even if that means eliminating a lane for traffic or on-street parking.

Our hope is that infrastructure will be built BEFORE people die. Gerardo lost his life due to safety hazards known since 2018 - bollards were added today. We have conflicting feelings about these flex posts. It’s an improvement but folks are still running the light at full speed. pic.twitter.com/moAsEc18Yy — Bike Lane Uprising® (@bikelaneuprise) May 10, 2022

Many cities have been infrastructure upgrades to help make safer conditions for cyclists

Chicago and many other cities have been making such infrastructure upgrades. In fact, the city of Chicago has already made traffic design changes and added safety features at two of the locations where cyclists this year have been hit and killed by cars and plans are underway to redesign the streetscape at the the third location

And with billions in infrastructure cash flowing from Washington, D.C., cycling advocates say there's an opportunity to do much more.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration opened grant applications for funding made available under the new "Safe Streets and Roads for All" program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the president signed into law last November. The program will allocate $6 billion over five years to reducing roadway crashes and fatalities, by helping cities and states identify the most dangerous corridors and intersections and will prioritize safety improvement projects that will protect pedestrians and cyclists in addition to motor vehicle drivers.

Improving urban transportation safety for all users starts with putting cyclists, pedestrians and those using scooters, e-bikes and other alternative mobility modes on a level playing field with car and truck drivers, says P.S. Sriraj, director of the Urban Transportation Center at the University of Illinois - Chicago.

"There is this lack of awareness about sharing the road between different modes, between motorists and bicyclists," he says.

"The U.S. has this perception about modes other than automobiles being inferior and that needs to be addressed right from the get go," Sriraj adds.

The way forward to creating safer transportation spaces, Sriraj says, must include what he calls "the three E's" - Education, Engineering and Enforcement.

"You need to educate the drivers, you need to educate the bicyclists as to how they are supposed to be using that space that right of way," he says. "You need to engineer the system so that it's better ... and there's also the enforcement angle," to ensure that those who violate traffic laws are held accountable.

But he adds that urban planners have to walk a delicate line in balancing the need to build safe bicycling infrastructure at a time road congestion is getting worse, because cars and trucks are not going away any time soon.

"It's easy to say you need to create car-free zones, draconian policies (that limit or eliminate driving)," Sriraj says. (But) those are never going to happen. Not in this country."

"We just have to figure out a way out of the situation based on some common sensical goals."

car and bicycle accident essay

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Essay on Road Accident in 500 Words

car and bicycle accident essay

  • Updated on  
  • Dec 13, 2023

Essay On Road Accident

Essay on Road Accident: Did you know how many people in a year lose their lives due to road accidents? According to the Transport Ministry of India, 1.66 lakh people died due to road accidents in 2022. This means 1 road accident death in every 3 minutes. We see in the news every day that there was a traffic accident that resulted in injuries or even deaths. Multiple reasons can cause road accidents, popular ones being wrong-side driving, road crossing, drinking and driving, etc. 

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Have you seen the Road Safety commercial starring Akshay Kumar in which he explains why we should wear seat belts and helmets while driving a car or a bike? Although there is some sense of humor in this commercial, the message is quite clear; ‘ Follow traffic rules for your safety.’

car and bicycle accident essay

Why do Road Accidents Occur?

Traffic rules violation is one of the primary reasons why road accidents occur. From not wearing seat belts or helmets to jumping the red lights, several reasons cause road accidents. Here are some of the popular reasons that cause road accidents.

  • Not wearing helmets on bikes.
  • Not wearing seat belts in the car.
  • Jumping traffic lights.
  • Overtaking/ Reckless Driving
  • Overspeeding
  • Wrong side driving
  • Drinking and driving

Also Read: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims  

The reports from the Transport Ministry state that drinking and driving and wrong-side drawing cause more than 50% of road accidents in India. Every time we hit the road, we see a lot of traffic, especially during the peak hours. People are always in a hurry to reach their destination. All we care about is reaching our destination on time and not about the traffic rules. Our overspeeding or rush driving can affect not only us but others as well. On top of that, it also disrupts others on the street. Rather than trying to cover your destination in less time, try to cover it safely. That’s what road safety banners say. Better be Mister Late than to be Late, Mister.

Also Read: Essay on Cleanliness

How to Prevent Road Accidents?

Following and abiding by the traffic rules is one of the major factors that can prevent road accidents. That’s what they are meant for; for everybody’s safety, follow traffic rules. Following traffic rules is a personal responsibility. Here are some other tips that can help to prevent road accidents.

  • When driving, try not to use the phone or talk to someone on call. You might lose your focus and it can lead to a big road accident.
  • If you have consumed any substance, like a drug or alcohol, avoid driving.
  • Always wear your seat belt, and ensure all passengers do the same.
  • Use appropriate child safety seats for young children.
  • Regularly check and maintain your vehicle, including brakes, tires, lights, and other essential components.
  • Adjust your driving according to weather conditions. Slow down in rain, snow, or fog.
  • Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
  • Educating yourself and the people around you about road safety can help reduce the prevalence of road accidents in the future.

Road accidents are caused by our own mistakes, especially by not following the traffic rules. The government has created these rules for our safety and it is in our best interest to follow traffic rules so that we can keep ourselves and pedestrians safe.

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Traffic Rules to Avoid Road Accidents

Here are all the traffic rules that everyone should follow to avoid road accidents.

  • Ensure that you are not feeling sleepy or giddy.
  • Check the vehicle’s engine oil, brake oil, battery/ radiator water, brakes, indicators, horn, lights, wipers & tyres.
  • Plan your route before starting.
  • Wear a seat belt & ensure that the person on the front seat also wears it.
  • Drive within the prescribed speed limit (50/60 Km/hour)
  • Stop before the stop line red lights.
  • Obey road signs & road markings. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
  • Be extra alert when you see a child/animal.
  • Drive in the proper lane and change lanes by giving proper indications.
  • Use the rearview mirror frequently. 

Ans: Traffic rules violations are cited as the major reason for road accidents. People do not follow traffic rules which leads to road accidents. Road accidents not only cause physical damage to you and your vehicle but also lead to death in most cases.

Ans: Road accidents are one of the major problems in countries with high populations. With so many people on the roads, people try to take shortcuts and avoid traffic rules. In India, wrong-side driving and drinking and driving are the major reasons for road accidents. People are always in a hurry to reach their destination. All we care about is reaching our destination on time and not about the traffic rules. Our overspeeding or rush driving can not only us but others as well. On top of that, it also disrupts others on the street. Rather than trying to cover your destination in less time, try to cover it safely. That’s what road safety banners say. 

Ans: Following the traffic rules can help prevent road accidents. Educating ourselves and the people around us will help in reducing the number of road accidents. Use appropriate child safety seats for young children. -Regularly check and maintain your vehicle, including brakes, tires, lights, and other essential components. -Adjust your driving according to weather conditions. Slow down in rain, snow, or fog. -Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

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Home Essay Samples Life

Essay Samples on Accident

Slip and trip incidents: an accident or crime.

The classification of slip and trip incidents as accidents or potential crimes is a complex issue that involves legal, situational, and ethical considerations. These incidents can occur in various settings, from public spaces to private properties, and can lead to injuries, financial implications, and legal...

Our Life Experiences: Who We Are

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The Dangerous Side Of Amusement Parks

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Overview of the Major Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are common on our roads. Due to the bike's efficiency in terms of speed most people prefer to use them. However, because motorcyclists lack any sort of surrounding protective structure on their vehicles, they are more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries...

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Major Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois

Motorcycles have changed the lives of many people. Generally, they are important in our day-day activities. They can be used in the following ways including exercising, commuting, racing and improves mental health. Motorcycles are affordable for buying and maintaining. Additionally, when one is running late...

Greatest Triumph - Unravelling the Mystery of Amelia Earhart

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The Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill and Its Environmental Effects

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Creation of Awareness About Road Accidents

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Alarming Rate of Fatal Road Accidents in Malaysia

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The Evolution of Detection Devices: Smart Accident Device

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Lost In The Great Smokies: Mystery Surrounding Disappearance Of Three Boys

It was a fabulous common system that Dennis Martin, his brother and two other guys hatched. While five men and women watched and talked from a grassy area at Spence Field, the guys decided to see if they could sneak up on the old folks...

Implausible Adventures of Euglena: the First-Person Narrative of an Algae

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Best topics on Accident

1. Slip and Trip Incidents: an Accident or Crime

2. Our Life Experiences: Who We Are

3. Car Accident Attorney in Northwest Arkansas Place

4. The Dangerous Side Of Amusement Parks

5. Overview of the Major Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

6. Major Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois

7. Greatest Triumph – Unravelling the Mystery of Amelia Earhart

8. The Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill and Its Environmental Effects

9. Creation of Awareness About Road Accidents

10. Alarming Rate of Fatal Road Accidents in Malaysia

11. The Evolution of Detection Devices: Smart Accident Device

12. Lost In The Great Smokies: Mystery Surrounding Disappearance Of Three Boys

13. Implausible Adventures of Euglena: the First-Person Narrative of an Algae

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Experience / Car Accident

Car Accident Essay Examples

The main causes of road accidents, and the methods of prevention.

Road Accident is collision between any vehicles (for case car, truck, bike etc) or it can be with any person on foot, creature or the prevention set within the centre of the street. The accident happened seem result in numerous wounds or damage to the...

Lack of Sleep Can Become the Reason for Car Accident

The news published by Powys County Times on 28th November 2019 stated that a 65-year-old farmer, Robert Watkins, died after falling asleep and crashing his car into a stone wall while driving home from Royal Welsh Show. According to Dean Burnett, the forensic investigator, he...

The Solution to the Problem of Traffic Accidents

A noticeable increase in traffic accidents has been observed in recent years, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded the highest death rate from traffic accidents among the G20 countries, reaching 9,031 deaths, at a rate of 28.8 per 100,000 people for the year 2019....

Road Salting for Ice and Snow as a Prevention for Car Accidents

After Tornadoes and floods as the deadliest weather hazards across the United States, winter car crashes are being considered as a serious danger caused due to the uncontrolled weather conditions by killing a greater number of Americans every year. According to an analysis of transportation data...

Highway Safety and Change in Speed Limits in the Us

In this twenty-first century and modern society, the number accident and crashes have been biggest concern due to the increase in transportation system and changes in speed limits. Speed limits have been implemented in the US since 1861 and it has resulted in minimizing accidents...

The Importance of Speed Limits on Motorways in the UK

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The Prevalence of Drunk Driving Amongst the Young and Future 

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