With the increasing number of private vehicles on the road, I, as a highway traffic officer, encounter a wide variety of traffic accidents in my daily duties. Many of these accidents, unfortunately, are caused by a lack of safety awareness, leading to severe consequences.
This is a topic that’s been discussed endlessly, yet many drivers and passengers still dismiss it. On highways, the difference between wearing and not wearing a seatbelt can be life or death. In 2007, I handled two fatal accidents involving single vehicles, both caused by drivers not wearing seatbelts. In one case, a Passat flipped over with only the driver in the car. If he had been wearing his seatbelt, he likely would have suffered no more than minor injuries. The coroner ruled his death was due to a broken neck, caused by uncontrolled movement during the rollover. In the second case, a car lost control due to a front tire blowout, hitting the guardrails several times. The driver, who was wearing his seatbelt, was unharmed, but the front-seat passenger, who wasn’t wearing one and was lying back in a reclined position, was thrown from the vehicle and died.
A tire blowout, especially a front tire at high speeds, is far more dangerous in a small car than in a larger vehicle. Though blowouts are unpredictable, an interesting pattern often emerges during accident investigations: when the left front tire blows, the car tends to hit the right guardrail, and vice versa. This happens because the car veers toward the side of the blowout due to differences in tire diameter and friction. Drivers often overcorrect in panic, worsening the loss of control. The correct response is to firmly grip the steering wheel, maintain a steady correction angle (depending on speed), and avoid slamming on the brakes. Allow the vehicle to slow gradually while keeping it on course.
Speeding, whether on highways or regular roads, often leads to catastrophic consequences. For example, if you're driving at 100 km/h, and your height is 170 cm, your reaction time from spotting a hazard to applying the brakes is about 1.7 seconds, during which your vehicle will travel 47.2 meters. That’s 40 meters of space where anything could happen. When it comes to speeding, I have two things to say: "Speed is behind nine out of ten accidents," and "Don’t overestimate your car." Some people think their high-performance vehicle will protect them, but in the face of danger, we’re all equal.
Frequent highway drivers will notice numerous warning signs and flashing lights along the way. Before becoming a traffic officer, I didn’t pay much attention to these, but now I know that every "High Accident Zone—Drive Carefully" sign and every small yellow or blue light represents a blood-soaked lesson. These warnings are not arbitrary. When you see them, slow down, maintain a safe distance, and prepare for potential emergencies.
On highways, with high speeds and noise levels, cars ahead may not hear your horn when overtaking. Flashing your headlights is a more effective way to signal them. When overtaking multiple trucks driving close together, be cautious of sudden lane changes. At night, switch to low beams when you’re within 200 meters of the vehicle you’re overtaking, so they can better judge the distance and avoid misjudgment.
The emergency lane is for emergencies only. When cars occupy this lane, they can block emergency responders, leading to tragic delays. My record was walking seven kilometers with my inspection kit because the emergency lane was blocked. Some people could be bleeding out or trapped, yet their only hope for rescue is being cut off. Using the emergency lane unnecessarily could cost someone’s life by delaying an ambulance or fire truck.
If you’re involved in a serious accident on the highway, don’t disturb the scene (except to help the injured). There are two key steps: set up warning signs and call the police. Place warning signs 150 meters away from the accident site in the direction of oncoming traffic, and move everyone behind the guardrail. If a secondary accident happens due to improper warning distances, you could be held responsible. Also, don’t use rocks to prop up warning signs—doing so changes the nature of the incident! Often, people call their family or insurance company before the police, delaying help. Always set up warnings, move to safety, and call the authorities immediately.
The safest seat in a vehicle is behind the driver. In an emergency, a driver’s instinct is to protect themselves, and the relationships you have won’t change this fact. If you’re resting in the back of a large truck, keep your head facing the driver.
The most common causes of fatal traffic injuries are head trauma, organ damage, and excessive bleeding. Unless you’re a medical professional, don’t move the injured without knowing the severity of their injuries. If someone is bleeding heavily, use a shoelace or belt to apply a tourniquet near the wound and call for help immediately.
Always use your hazard lights in non-standard driving situations—such as stopping, roadblocks, construction, single-lane passage, accidents ahead, or fog.
