29 Jan 2016 : A shudder ran through my body when I read the newspaper today morning. The news about the life of a young, bright, talented girl riding pillion being snuffed out was difficult to read. My heart goes out to her parents and their grief. The young rider will forever bear the cross of this accident.
This has once again brought to the fore the need to reiterate and reinforce defensive driving practices.
Some points noted from the newspaper articles ( The Hindu, and The Times of India ) :
- Both the girls wore helmets. However, the news says that the girl who rode pillion did not have the helmet firmly strapped.
- This was the usual route for the rider and the pillion. They were familiar with the route. Yet, the rider chose to turn from the left hand side of the road, onto the right. This was at a traffic signal. The 2-wheeler was hit by a milk-van. I will not go into any further details.
The Arundhati Foundation strongly advocates Defensive Driving Practices :
- Protect Yourself First : Wear your helmet. Ensure that it is the right fit, and strap it firmly.
- Be Aware of Blind Spots. 2-wheeler riders often believe that they are ‘visible’ to the other drivers, and the traffic will adapt to their movement on the roads. Be familiar with not just your own blind spots, but also be aware of the blind spots of drivers of other vehicles.
- Slow Down. Hurried decisions can be devastating on the road. Do not jump signals. Slow down and stop when light changes from green to yellow.
- Pay Attention, Avoid Distraction. In particular, avoid cellphones. Keep Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel and Mind on the Traffic. The passenger should not distract the driver either.
- Mind the Gap, not Find the Gap. Trying to squeeze through gaps on a 2-wheeler can be dangerous. Avoid turning in front of moving vehicles.
At least 2 to 3 of the above principles stand out in the context of today’s news. I am sharing a couple of pics that we use in our sessions to spread the message on road safety and defensive driving. Let’s develop a safety mindset and aim to prevent accidents.
Drive Safely : It’s not what you drive that matters, but that you continue to drive. Make it a habit to drive defensively.
