Accident is the most dreaded nightmare of one's life.It can not only wrap a 'Life' but leave a life "Lifeless". Some days ago, i was reading articles on Accident survivors,A simple jerk on Neck left the body paralyzed .Because the injury was at the cervical left of the spinal cord especially C5 C6, it lead to Quadriplegia i.e paralysis of all four limbs.The young guy who was soon to get married is now dependent forever.Chances of Recovery even post intense Rehabilitation is difficult to comment on.Similar are many other stories which will run a shiver down the Spine.
'Prevention is always better than the cure' is something that is drilled in our mind since the Primary schooling.But how much do we follow?
Remember when you are driving a four wheeler or be it you are riding a Bike ,you are not only responsible of your Life but also those who are along with you and the ones on the road , besides you.
In India,getting a licence is no big deal ( unfortunately ) and acquiring a permanent one doesn't give you a ticket to experience an air ride.This palm size id is not a proof of you being " Master rider " or a "Classic Driver"that you can cut alone the lane of Broad Moving road from extreme right to left with a blink of eyes and a mere indicator expecting the world to move for your comfort.huh!.I have seen people abruptly cutting the lane and you can't even argue! Why..?Signal diya tha na. -_- !
There are some Driving Conduct and Mannerisms if everyone follows , i am sure it might help to cut down on a few accidents which are not destined for.
Here's the list and the views expressed are on the basis of personal experience:
1)Make way for Ambulance:
This is a serious request.No matter how important is your meet but it can't be more than someone's life.There is someone inside calling out for help silently ,you can't go deaf.
2)Respect other Vehicles:
This is especially for all the SUV's , the BEST buses(bus service of Mumbai),trucks etc, They all come like a Lion in the Jungle, and all the smaller vehicles freeze of fear being trampled and falling prey of an unexpected dent or a scratch or something worst than that.It seems they are the only people in Hurry.Create way for yourself but at-least learn to wait a few seconds.But no these guys can't bend down.Especially the buses,they just don't care.
3)Respect Two Wheeler:
If you are in four wheeler, remember one thing that this man on bike is sitting on an open seat.Even if he knocks on your car,its a reparable damage that will come by your way.But on the other hand ,your one knock on his bike can damage his life permanently.And if God forbid he doesn't survive it will damage your life forever.(you know what i mean).So don't Rush in,Make way and if required give way.Now,by this i don't mean you let the bikers conquer the road.Rather give them space,they are petty little animals of the jungle who can sneak through the narrowest tunnel.So don't crush them with your ego.
4)Honk a little less:
Patience is the key but our Indian drivers are deprived of this heritage because "Angrez "Sonay ki chidiya" k saath "Sabr ki chabi" bhi le gaye! :P Horns are the panic alarms especially for the beginner's.Poor guy is driving at the corner of the road at his own pace and you come like a ferocious animal and take his heart out with your Double or Triple horn.And the scenario is even worst at signal,if the same poor guy is first in the line and the lane is up slope..Bichara,he is already learning to pick up and post green even a single second delay kills him and his driving desire there and then.I so hate this unnecessary honking.Now,another aspect if someone is stuck ahead you and is trying best to restart and fix the problem, then a single horn would be sufficient for him to know you are waiting.but no, we fire him with all our missionaries. Don't panic him yaar!.He might make some mistake.
5)Follow signals and respect pedestrians.
This Reminds me of 'Satyameva Jayate'episode on safe driving.How fatal this carelessness turns out to be.Orange signal is the worst of all risk.We all break signals at some point of time but some people don't have the mannerisms of even breaking signal.For a second they are at rest beside you and in no time you will find them in them in the middle of junction creating unnecessary chaos.Now,this is something that one cannot be trained at.Use some sense even if you are in hurry.And if possible follow the rules to the maximum extent.Another aspect,although pedestrians can be annoying at times especially when they come hopping & running with palm upright, never forget you are also one among them.Respect them ,they will add to your tolerance.
6) Give correct Indicators:
This is self explanatory.Indicator is the only mode of communication on the road apart from continuous honking and the thrown abuses across the windows.Wrong indicator or no indicator often welcomes a trouble.So keep yourself and others safe.
7)Helmet,Seat belt & carry all the documents.
Now i don't need to give explanation to why,but yet there are many smart people who will wear helmet/belt only with the fear of being caught and the latter chalan.The other day one friend argued at the point, Jo naseeb mein hota hai wo hoga,Now these are the people jinka kuch nahi ho sakta -_-
.Its your life,your body,do little you can to keep it safe.Even in my colony i wear seat belt,that sounds dumb but i am so used to it ,i feel incomplete without a belt.Be safe,Seat belt would prevent a whiplash injury or the risk of being thrown out or a sudden thrust down the spine.Helmet will save you from severe Traumatic Brain Injury.But We Don't care.
8)Keep calm and Keep your Ego aside
Jaan na Pehchaan lekin Ego banay mehman.I don't understand why this ego is entertained so much on Road.Those looks through the window pane,blocking of each other with continuous horn is the commencement of a heated argument.Some of them even peep out of the window and start abusing each other.Fanatic ones stop in the middle of road ,come out and fight ,troubling others by creating an unnecessary traffic. Bhai Keep calm and Aagay badho.Another aspect i have observed is male ego,now this is not applicable to all but there are certain men who look down at women driver's and if she happens to overtake,they come behind to race along and go ahead thereby satisfying their ego and carving victory in their favor.How amateur that is.
9)Follow Highway etiquette's:
Lane Cutting is the mother of all accidents.Sticking to either right or left is very much convenient and safe for all the vehicles.And even if you want to move ahead,at-least create a way.There are some impulsive ones who will hop on the broad bridge from right to left and center changing indicator at the fraction of second.These confused souls leave even other vehicles perplexed.No Road conduct.Better to maintain a safe distance.In Gulf countries and states there are heavy fines on Lane cutting but we take our liberty for granted.
10)Have Parking Sense:
This a Global issue i feel.We all need to develop this sense.We find BMC Road as our ancestral property and leave our vehicle at any awkward place not caring if it could be a reason of inconvenience.This adds to the irrelevant traffic and frustration.Tow van' s are biggest rescue though but rather than landing in such kind of trouble it is better to be vigilant always.Hum bhi Khush,Tum bhi Khush.
Though Nothing can challenge destiny and Indian roads.But we can turn things from bad to better if we collectively follow driving conduct.
P.S:Views expressed in this article are personal.Please add to the list in case i missed on anything.
-SSW
