It was a rainy Saturday night, the kind that makes traffic crawl, accidents and drains overflow. In the emergency room of a busy urban hospital, the tension hung as heavy as the storm clouds outside. It was a long weekend—Independence Day—and the roads were buzzing with travelers eager to make the most of their freedom. But in the ER, there was no celebration—just the echo of sirens and the smell of antiseptic and soaked clothing.
One of the doctors on duty that night agreed to share the experience anonymously. Not out of fear, but out of reverence for the patients—the ones who made it, and those who didn’t.
The shift began at 6 p.m. The first trauma patient from road traffic accident arrived just after 7:30. “A bikerider on a motorcycle, no helmet. He had a broken arm and a mild concussion,” the doctor recounted. “Then a private car driver, early twenties—his car skidded on a wet road. Internal bleeding, broken ribs. It got worse from there.”
By midnight, the ER was overflowing. Rain continued to pound the city. Twelve trauma cases had arrived in less than five hours, the majority involving road traffic accidents. Some victims were unconscious. Others arrived without identification. One man’s phone rang endlessly. The caller ID read “Mama.”
“He didn’t make it,” the doctor said quietly. “And I had to be the one to answer that call.”
The Anatomy of a Tragedy
This wasn’t an isolated road traffic accident case. The doctor emphasized that this accident pattern plays out more during the rainy season. Many of the injured that night had fallen victim to preventable circumstances: speeding in the rain, reckless overtaking, driving vehicles with bald tires and faulty brakes.
“People underestimate how dangerous wet roads are. Visibility drops. Tires lose grip. But the urgency to get somewhere never slows down.”
The exhaustion in his voice reflected more than fatigue. It spoke of frustration—knowing so many of the night’s tragedies didn’t have to happen. “Most of these people left home expecting to return. But they didn’t wear seatbelts. They didn’t check their tires. They didn’t think it could happen to them.”
Inside the Emergency Room
The ER that night was a battleground. Nurses moved between stretchers with practiced urgency. Blood reserves began running low. Calls went out across social media for emergency donations. Families wept. Children clung to unfamiliar hands.
“One woman had just gotten her license. It was her first time driving in heavy rain. Another car swerved too close. She panicked. Slammed the brakes. Lost control.” This is the truth behind road traffic accident emergency care—not just statistics, but stories cut short.
What Should Change
The doctor’s account made it clear that true change must begin long before anyone reaches a hospital. “What we need is consistent road safety awareness. Before the holidays. Before the rain. Before the accidents.”
He advocated for:
- Proactive public education on driving in adverse weather.
- Stricter enforcement of seatbelt and helmet laws.
- Roadside inspections to check for unsafe vehicles.
- More patrol presence on holiday weekends.
- Emergency preparedness plans at hospitals for predictable surges.
“Reckless driving should feel as threatening as any virus. Because the consequences are just as deadly.”
Final words from the frontline regarding Road Traffic Accident
“We did what we could. Some lived. Some didn’t. And by dawn, it started all over again.”
In parting, he left a message that echoed through the corridors of that stormy night:
“Slow down. Check your brakes. Don’t drive tired or drunk. Wear your seatbelt. And if the rain is heavy—just wait. I’d rather see your name on a visitor list than a death certificate.”
