Safety is a significant health concern in both developed and developing countries. The number of individuals rushed to the emergency response department in health care institutions as victims of road accidents is considerable. The issue causes a burden on the healthcare system and leads to adverse social and economic impacts. Although most people survive after treatment, some sustain permanent disabilities, making them dependent on their families and friends for the rest of their life. Equally, some road accidents are fatal, causing deaths and depriving the economy productive labor force. As a result, the World Health Organization acknowledged traffic accidents as a substantial global health issue that is among the leading cause of death and infirmity. Nevertheless, there has been a notable improvement the automotive safety over the decades despite the looming threats. An evaluation of the development of automotive safety is vital in understanding its impact on public health.
The initial cars had no features that modern vehicles have, which increased their chances of causing fatal accidents. According to DeBuono (2006), the developments that started in the early 20th century have enhanced automotive safety. For instance, Oldsmobile and General Motors (GM) introduce the first speedometer and electric headlamp, respectively, in the first decade of the 20th century. These features have been helpful since they allow drivers to monitor their speed and move easily at night or during foggy seasons. Consequently, the possibilities of vehicles colliding due to environmental factors or veering off the road because of overspeeding were minimized (DeBuono, 2006). However, a lot needs to be done to address the issue of individuals who drive cars when under the influence of substances such as alcohol that cause impaired judgment when on the road.
Injuries are inevitable when road accidents occur, whether a collision between vehicles or a car hitting a pedestrian. The injuries can lead to profuse bleeding to the extent of the victims dying. Initially, glasses on cars’ windows shattered into sharp pieces that contributed to deep wounds to the occupants when accidents happened (DeBuono, 2006). The nighttime glare from oncoming vehicles’ headlamps was another factor that increased the chance of accidents. Nonetheless, the introduction of shatterproof glass on vehicle windows and tinted windshields in 1928 and 1930 correspondingly are significant milestones towards enhancing automotive safety (DeBuono, 2006). The growing automotive industry needed regulations to ensure that manufactured cars and constructed roads do not jeopardize the well-being of the users.
The United States Congress took a fundamental step to help address the safety concern related to vehicles and roads. The legislative body passed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Highway Safety Act in 1966 (DeBuono, 2006). The two laws authorized the federal government to set regulatory standards for highways and motor vehicles vital to enhanced safety. For instance, the government demanded that all car manufacturers integrate new and more effective safety features, such as safety belts and headrests. The criteria for designing and constructing highways were also improved. As a result, the mortality rate associated with motor vehicles started to decline by 1970 (DeBuono, 2006). Such outcomes were an indicator that automotive safety is achievable. Various governmental organizations have been researching how to prevent road accidents.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has sponsored studies on possible approaches to minimize car accident fatalities. The organization formed the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) in 1922 to address public health issues related to automotive safety and other areas of injury (DeBuono, 2006). The main focus of NCIPC has been the high-risk populations such as young drivers, drivers impaired by alcohol, pedestrians, and passengers to ensure that deaths associated with motor vehicle accidents are alleviated. The agency advocates the installation and systems such as booster seats, child-safety seats, and safety belts that protect all car occupants. Additionally, NCIPC distinguishes the local and state government’s roles in setting and enforcing legislation that influences automotive safety. Therefore, the NCIPC collaborates with relevant government agencies to collect information helpful in designing and implementing strategies for promoting automotive safety.
Indeed, the United States is far ahead of developing nations in the area of automotive safety. However, the country has been recording a significant number of deaths annually on the highways. DeBuono (2006) indicates that the number of people who die due to road accidents has been increasing gradually since the 1990s. Drunk drivers, ignorance by the drivers and passengers about wearing safety belts, overspeeding, and poorly designed secondary roads are the main factors that contribute to the accidents. DeBuono (2006) adds that the youths and elderly populations frequent victims of traffic crashes. Moreover, the fatalities associated with alcohol consumption have grown steadily since 1999 despite government and non-governmental agencies’ efforts to sensitize the public and enforce regulations to curb the behavior of drinking and driving.
The Mothers Against Drunk and Driving (MADD) is an example of an organization that advocates for automotive safety. MADD was established in 1980 and had about 600 chapters promoting the formation of tough laws and suitable sentences to discourage drunken driving (DeBuono, 2006). Notably, the youth population is more likely to engage in alcohol consumption and drive. Therefore, MADD focus on educating the populace about the risks and consequences of underage drinking, alcohol poisoning, alcohol-related road accidents, and other undesirable outcomes linked to illegal drinking. The organization’s efforts have been fruitful because state legislatures have enacted more than 2300 drunk-driving laws since it was formed (DeBuono, 2006). The CDC noted that the number of Hispanic children aged 19 years and below who died in road accidents in 2000 was 1115 (DeBuono, 2006). The number shows that traffic accidents are a threat to the nation’s public health and future productivity. Therefore, government agencies and non-government organizations need to integrate their efforts more than before to sensitize the citizens about the necessity to embrace and improve automotive safety.
Case Studies
Various case studies have shown the benefits of different measures taken by car manufacturers to enhance automotive safety. For instance, the development of a seat belt case study is evidence of efforts vehicle producers and government agencies have been putting in to ensure car occupants’ safety even when involved in an accident. The quality and effectiveness of seat belts have been improving since 1956 (DeBuono, 2006). Most states have mandated law enforcement officers to ensure road users comply with the seat belt laws. DeBuono (2006) adds that increasing the use of seat belts by 79 % can save more than 15,000 lives annually in the future. Another case that confirms significant progress in automotive safety concerns airbags. In 2003, the NHTSA indicated that the airbags had saved more than 13 000 lives since their inception (DeBuono, 2006). Although these case studies focus more on preventing death, they also show that these automotive safety measures can also prevent car occupants from sustaining severe injuries, increasing the risks of having a permanent disability.
The Future of Automobile Manufacturers to Enhance Public Safety
Various mistakes made by irresponsible drivers are the main factors that contribute to road accidents. Car manufacturers are determined to adopt innovative technologies to develop integrated safety system features to alleviate the possibility of drivers making life-threatening errors (DeBuono, 2006). For instance, the use of anti-lock brakes, an electronic stability control system, can prevent the locking of wheels and side-way skidding of vehicles. Other innovations focus on installing sensors in automobiles to prevent collisions. Although these approaches by manufacturers can be beneficial, drivers and other road users can have a huge positive impact on automotive safety by changing their behavior.
Recommendations and Conclusion
Government agencies and non-governmental organizations such as NHTSA and MADD should relentlessly continue with their efforts to curb alcohol-impaired driving by sensitizing the public about the risks associated with such behavior. Additionally, they should advocate for a graduate licensing to ensure that only adults and responsible individuals are allowed to drive vehicles. Moreover, they should improve pedestrian safety for all ages and encourage all car occupants’ routine use of seat belts. These approaches are vital to enhancing automotive safety since they can minimize accidents, fatalities, and injuries likely to cause permanent disability. Indeed, improved automotive safety is fundamental to public well-being. Therefore, state and federal governments need to enforce the enacted road safety laws and regulations effectively.
Reference
DeBuono, B. (2006). Mile stones in public health (pp. 21-33). New York: Pfizer Inc.