I read somewhere that though
many people see "an accident", there are
very less number of people who "clearly saw
what caused an accident". In a predominantly poor country, it is normal to consider the one on a
costlier mode of transportation to be AGGRESSIVE and BLAMED. THIS post is about, how "
ANY road uncertainty" can lead to an accident. This post is also to
highlight the hazards of mindless overtaking.
Few years ago, on a 4-lane NH, outside a TN Industrial Town, traffic was slowing down. A 19-20 ish youngster on a Pulsar overtook me from left and immediately cut in front to Right Lane. I was irritated and kept glaring at him. He had a woman pillion rider, yet he continued "
leaning to left and right" at 60-ish speeds. He quickly went past 5-6 cars and was exactly ahead of my driving position. He was
leaning for the gap between two-lanes and the truck ahead of him braked -
greatest uncertainty.
Whatever margin the boy thought he had was GONE. I saw the pillion rider's head hitting the metal corner of Truck.
She died instantly. An instant crowd gathered and idiots started clicking photos
![[frustration]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Frustration.gif "Frustration [frustration]")
. I went and gave a towel; a lady street vendor came forward and covered the accident victim. The young biker had minor injuries, BUT, was
unable to digest the disaster ... he realised his mistake ... he was hitting his face and chest ... fell on his knees ... was rolling on the road and crying crying crying ... Inconsolable loss.
The driver of the Car, following the truck was very shaken, as he saw something one normally doesn't want to see. I advised him to rest a while and some one helped him drive to a shop little ahead. When I started my car, I found my hands too were trembling and I too went to the same shop. Few more drivers joined us.
We realized what caused the accident : "a biker on a phone call
drifted to his right; this forced a Car driver to touch the brake pedal ; the Truck, which was following the Car too braked ; and a Life was Lost behind the truck". The drifting 'biker-on-phone-call' continued ahead.
From where we were, we saw that the Truck driver was being pushed around. We went and told locals the zig-zagging we all saw before the accident; hearing our voice, an AutoRick Driver too aired same views (the boy cut in front of him too). Just at that time, Police and boy's relatives arrived. We repeated our story. The Father had to be held back from hitting the Boy.
But, one Cop was reluctant; he said, "if we record this, the family will not get compensation". I argued, "
for this family to get few lakhs, why should an innocent trucker be termed a killer ? How trucker is responsible for what happens behind him ?? Anyway, Bike insurance will cover the loss". The
grieving relatives were broad minded and didn't want to press any charges (
Note:- If they were adamant, most likely I would have left immediately; my safety first na ? ). To the Police team, we recommended "
bike slipped, the woman's head hit some metal debris on the road and she died" ; ALL accepted. None was blamed, but
sadly a Family lost a key member.
My Question: Are "phone-call-while-driving, helmet-less riding, mindless lane changing and idiotic overtaking" worth the loss of a Life ???
PS-1: The trucker told me, "
on an average I save 1,000 people every year, by applying brakes on time. First time someone died because I applied brakes.
Sadly True... Maintain minimum braking distance folks...
