II. Mechanical Factor
Irregular and poor maintenance of vehicle can lead to crashes which may manifest while the vehicle is in motion. This constitutes about 10% of road crashes.
Such irregular maintenance may lead to stoppage of the vehicle. or development of other faults that affect the control of the vehicle, especially when the vehicle is on high speed.
These could lead to crashes The choice of preventive servicing and routine maintenance is between the road mechanics and approved motor dealers.
The road side mechanics are the most popular because they attend to the problem immediately and are less expensive. However, they may cause more dangers to the vehicles due to lack of adequate knowledge and equipment.
In essence, crashes due to mechanical factors have to do with malfunction of the vehicle which eventually leads to loss of control of the vehicle and invariably to road traffic crashes.
Factors contributing to this include the following:
Such irregular maintenance may lead to stoppage of the vehicle. or development of other faults that affect the control of the vehicle, especially when the vehicle is on high speed.
These could lead to crashes The choice of preventive servicing and routine maintenance is between the road mechanics and approved motor dealers.
The road side mechanics are the most popular because they attend to the problem immediately and are less expensive. However, they may cause more dangers to the vehicles due to lack of adequate knowledge and equipment.
In essence, crashes due to mechanical factors have to do with malfunction of the vehicle which eventually leads to loss of control of the vehicle and invariably to road traffic crashes.
Factors contributing to this include the following:
- Malfunction of engine
- Poor steering mechanism
- Tyre burst
- Brake failure
- Failed wipers during rainy season
- Spilled oil leading to crashes
- Exhaust fumes or smokes leading to temporary road blindness
- Faulty security gadgets
- Defective lighting system
- Defective horn
- Faulty wheel balancing and alignment
- Absence of rear mirror
- Leaking fuel that may result to fire outbreak
- Lack of reflective triangle
- Incompetent wheel nuts
- Electrical fault
- Inconsistency in vehicle load design
- Lack of seatbelt