Preface:
My review is mainly aimed at youngsters .
I had to muster a lot of courage to do so!
It seemed funny!
I pondered .
I was trying to communicate about something which I am sure every body is aware of !
But then …I thought ….what the heck!
~
Youth can be best described as Need for speed!( ahem!)
The sheer thrill of stepping on the gas, driving at a break neck speed .
Oh boy! It’s a different high altogether!( More so if your lady love is sitting right next to you clinging on to you for dear life!)
The adrenal starts pumping!
Surprisingly her screams fall to deaf ears!
Instead you imagine that she is goading you along.
' Yeah boy.faster.faster.faster'
Then it happens .one false move, a momentary lapse of concentration.
And then .!
Kapow ! Kaboom!
Result: Broken limbs, dented ego, huge medical bill( either for you or for your parents as the case maybe) & worse….Broken Hearts!( you don’t expect your lady love to share her life with a Calamity Joe like you! Do you? )
Anxious moments for all your near & dear ones( including fellow MS ians )
& in the worst case scenario …
Adios cruel world!
This, as I describe it, is a typical SIP( Self Inflicted Pain)
No matter how much you try and explain to most of the youngsters about the need to drive safely, they just refuse to believe that anything bad can ever happen to them! If you do not understand what I mean .try driving in Chennai.
( Ironically most of us can think of other people’s death …not our own!)
Talk about futility of human life!
( I hope I am not sounding trivial? If I am its because I don’t want to sound morbid either!)
The question, therefore, is, what can we do as responsible members of the society to ensure that no life is wasted, no flower is nipped in the bud because of an avoidable accident.
To my mind there are 2 very important things which should be done:
Set examples to everybody by practicing safety norms ourselves.
Frequent communication with the public( more importantly with youngsters) about the need to drive safely. I agree, that this is a difficult proposition. However we have to keep trying. The government has to play a proactive role in this matter .
I have few thumb rules on safe driving & they are:
1.If you don’t want a crash …Don’t drive rash:
Considering the conditions of most of the roads in our country & the population of vehicles of all shapes & sizes, it is advisable to drive at speeds between 50 Kmph to 70 Kmph depending on the density of the traffic. One needs to be extra cautious while driving on high ways! Drivers tend to step on the pedal when ( after an arduous & chaotic journey at snail’s pace within the city)they suddenly hit the high way.It’s a natural reaction & expression of relief!That’s when they let their guards down!
In an era where you see fancy Sedans, Limousines, Auto Rickshaws, Tractors(!), Bullock carts, Hand carts & even rickshaws all on the same road, there is little scope for
driving carelessly!Even otherwise it is always advisable to drive at a safe speed .
P.S: My Papa gave me just one word of advice on driving .
' Just think you are the only sane man driving on the road …the rest …insane .coming to get you'!
With all due respect to my fellow drivers while driving I think exactly as advised by my late Papa( May
His soul rest in piece)
But for his advice I would be resting in pieces on the roads of Chennai!
2.Jumping guns & jumping signals…both very dangerous:
I do get to see some very reckless drivers do this & I have also seen a few accidents as a result of that!
Imagine a scenario where there are no traffic signals! Specially in big metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai or Kolkata! I shudder to even think of the prevailing chaos! I would probably be lying in the hospital bed even before I can say John Gault( . but who is John Gault?)
3.Age old adage .Drink & Drive Don’t Mix:
To be precise …intoxication of any nature is a big NO! NO! when you contemplate to drive .
In any case after few drinks one doesn’t recognize the A* from the elbow! One suddenly develops funny perceptions of height, depth, width & distance. With either heightened or absolutely ‘ phased out ’ senses, one misses the ‘ obvious ’ dangers lurking!
Result ? …some times catastrophic.* :(
Luckily, groups when they move, now a days, decide who all will drive the cars, do the ‘ body pickers ’ job and therefore not drink on that particular day! They then take turns.
I endorse this recipe & I feel that this is a formula which works & shouldn’t give heart burns to any one!
4. For my ‘ Bike Freak ’ buddies:
Please don’t forget your HELMET. I personally know of few blokes who have had miraculous escape from head injury just because they wore that contraption on their nut during those fateful accidents.
I remember a very ‘ pregnant ‘ adv on T.V …I think it was for Speed Bird helmets .
“ Sar hai Apka …marzi hai apki ”
Translated ….Its your head & so is your decision( To wear or not to wear helmets)
Very clear message!
5. Few basic checks:
All papers are in order .
Driving License
Registration book.
Tax Token
Insurance papers
Pollution Check certificate.
Spare Tyre/s & spare tube/s.
Spare fan belt( we often forget this!)
Spare spark plugs.
Basic tool box.
Jack
Wrenches
Screw Drivers
Spanners
2 feet of any ordinary electrical wire.
Pliers
Hammer
Adequate numbers of Nuts & bolts of required sizes.
Torch
Spare tin of Engine oil & Coolant.
First Aid Box.
Cotton
Bandages( Along with self adhesive strips
like BandAid)
Antiseptic solutions( Dettol / Savlon)
Burn Ointment( Eg Burnol)
Pain Killers( Anelgesics for e.g Novalgin,
Brufen etc)
Anti Inflammatory Tabs( Combiflam)
Sprays to reduce pain( Iodex Spray)
*Incase you need anything more than what is mentioned above, you are in far more serious trouble than you thought . head for the nearest hospital .
Solicit all possible help, incase you can’t manage to get there by yourself.*
Please consult your Physician to get the right advice! The mentioned medicines are only indicative.
M A Y G O D B E W I T H Y O U!
