How to regulate speed on the roads for children?
Road safety has considerably improved over the recent decades, particularly for car drivers. However, since 2012, the downward trend of accidents and casualties due to these accidents has stagnated. The government has the ambition to achieve zero fatalities in road traffic by 2050. While automation in cars can contribute to achieving this ambition.
The progressive introduction of the technology also entails new safety risks. However, the government of different countries is trying to manage the risks in their ways.
Self-Driving Cars
The self-driving car was already a dream when most people didn’t even have a car yet. Cruise control was the first innovation. Later, new automated functions were gradually introduced.
Modern Technology
Many new cars on the roads today have systems that maintain a set speed while keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. It helps the car stay in the middle of the lane and intervene independently with an emergency braking system.
What We Are Doing
These systems are designed to make driving easier and are equipped with so much hardware and software that they are now considered driving computers. Drivers experience that these cars can completely take over the task of driving. As a result, drivers have started to trust this technology a bit more. These cars have directly or indirectly also contributed to regulating the speed on the roads for children as well as adults.
The Problem We Face
Unfortunately, 25% of the autopilots regularly break the speed limit, brake too late, and don’t stop at the pedestrian crossings because they haven’t seen them until it’s too late. This leads to many deaths and children are the most affected by this.
The Ultimate Solution: Radar Speed Signs
Then, initiatives were taken, and a radar speed signs were installed in several places in the many countries. Unlike speed humps which can be dangerous in the snow, Radar signs products operate 24/7 in all weather conditions.
Working of Radar Speed Signs
Drivers see the sign and slow down, and because no officer needs to be present there at all times, the manpower issue has also been solved. With the signs, the speed of the cars has been observed to decrease from 50 mph to 30 mph, which is a significant drop.
But have you ever wondered how it works? It works on the principles of the Doppler Effect. The Doppler effect is the difference between the frequency of the transmitted and returned pulse. It varies with the relative motion of the object.
Other Ways to Regulate Speed on the Roads for Children
When the speed limit is kept in mind, drivers also seem to be more aware of pedestrians. It gives people, especially, children a sense of security while crossing the roads. Other ways of regulating speed on the roads for children involve educating them regarding the essential traffic rules, by making them learn the importance of looking around before taking the next step on the road, and by making them focused. They should also be taught the concept of the zebra crossing, the speed limit, and the signboards that they may come across while on the road.
Overall, the above-mentioned ways will help children to develop a sense of confidence and will allow them to cross the road freely and safely.
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