Top 10 Safety Issues that Needs to be Implemented by the Indian Government

Top 10 Safety Issues that Needs to be Implemented by the Indian Government

Top 10 Safety Issues that Need to be Implemented by the Indian Government

1.     Irregularities in issuing of Driving Licenses

Although this seems to be in no way connected to road safety, it is a vital issue, which leads to road safety disasters. LLR’s and permanent licences are issued without mandatory tests, and in some cases (where the tests are conducted) they are done in a lax and negligent manner. Oftentimes, bribes are involved. This results in half baked drivers becoming legitimate drivers on the road, but with the faintest regard and knowledge of road rules. Driving, they assume, is just stomping on the brakes and accelerator.

2.     Drunken driving

A very common threat to road safety, drunken driving causes several accidents and claims many innocent victims. To combat this there should be stricter vigilance on part of the authorities. Furthermore, people driving should be more responsible, and never ever drive if they have consumed alcohol. Most people who consume alcohol always assume that they are in perfect control of their vehicles, when in reality their motor skills and reflex action are drastically reduced.

3.     Unlicensed driving

Unlicensed driving amongst teenagers, especially in smaller towns and in B and C grade cities can be seen driving their parents’ vehicles by the time they reach High School. It is very common to see 12 and 13 year olds in school uniforms driving to school!  And that too on public roads!!! The worst part, however, is that such parents are actually proud of their children. Police too turn a blind eye to such young divers. This is a hazard to the children, and the general public. Government personnel should be stricter and the whole society should work together to stop this unsafe practice.

4.     Cycles

Almost all cycles that ply on roads does not have any kind of lighting- either Dynamos, Battery lights or even reflector lights/tapes. The common argument given is that cycles are a poor man’s vehicle. However, a person spending Rs 2500- 3000/-  for a  cycle can definitely also spend Rs 100/- more for a proper light or at least use reflector lights, which highlights that he / she is present  on the road. Not using lights of any kind is a safety hazard for the person who is riding the cycle and for other vehicles plying on the road.

5.     Re-fitness checks for vehicles

Vehicles with white board number plate undergo fitness certificate after 15 years of operation and yellow board vehicles every 2 years .RTO’s seldom do through checks of the brakes of vehicles when it comes for fitness assessment. Additionally, they do not conduct intensive checks the general condition of the vehicles, including the Engines, Brakes, Seats and Flooring of buses, etc. It is always assumed that vehicles work properly. Sadly, only the bucks matter for them, resulting in a serious safety issue.

6.     Brake lights

You would have noticed that many trucks and public sector vehicles do not have working red taillights at the back. A case in the point. Tractors plying on highways and other rural roads rarely have any lights on them. This makes it extremely dangerous for a vehicle travelling at 90 to 100 Km/hr at night to suddenly come across a vehicle travelling at 25 Km/ Hr in the middle of the road.  Brake lights or at least Red reflectors must be made compulsory in order to increase visibility for the vehicle coming behind them.

(To put it in perspective, a vehicle travelling at 60 km/hr the speed will be doing 16 meters per second, therefore making it next to impossible to brake in time to avoid hitting the slower moving vehicle)

7.     Crash guards on heavy vehicle

Many heavy vehicles remove of their rear and front crash guards after the 1^st year of vehicle service. However, crash guards have a vital function. This guard is provided both in the front and the rear of the truck  so that smaller vehicles, like cars do not go under the vehicles in the event of an accident. This should be checked and enforced by the officials.

8.     Headlight for Heavy vehicles

For Heavy vehicles and Buses, safety experts recommend that the headlight height should not be more than 3 feet above the ground. Many countries strictly adhere to this practice. However, in India very few follow this rule. All HCV, LCV and all private body builders violate this rule, with many installing 4 headlights, which is illegal. (98 % of people do not follow the rule) Keeping the headlight low  will avoid direct glare on the oncoming vehicles. Some manufactures argue that they use only 35 watts bulb for the headlight. However, as soon as the vehicles are out on the roads after registration, they all invariably switch to 90 or 100 watts bulbs, which are blinding for the oncoming vehicles

(The only exceptions are the Volvo Buses and Mercedes Benz Heavy vehicles , they keep their headlights low).

9.     Speed breakers

Speed breakers should be provided at the crossing / intersection of all highways. Side roads which join the main roads should also be provided with speed breakers, because it is the nature of Indian drivers to zip across the main roads on full clip, which can be dangerous for both parties. Several accidents on the highway happen due to the absence of such speed breakers, resulting in several tragic deaths.

10.   Auto Headlight Dipping Facility

At present headlight adjustment facilities in vehicles has become mandatory. However, instead of turning the headlight to lower angle, many drivers choose to keep the headlight aligned on high permanently. It will be good if the Government introduces compulsory Auto headlight adjustment facility instead of the present one, which is just aligns the head lights. The Auto Dipping Facility can help in reducing a lot of accidents which happen during night hours.

(Note: For the past few years, headlight alignment switches have been provided in almost all 4 wheelers. Many choose to set their high beam light as high as possible, which is blinding to the oncoming vehicles. Furthermore, most vehicles use multi reflector lenses, which helps spread the light even more. This makes it worthless to put black dots at the centre of the headlight. Moreover, the present driving culture in India sees many drivers not dipping their headlights for oncoming vehicles. (The amazing thing I’ve noticed is that even if someone dips, the other will not respond, making the person who dips the light look like a fool !!! ). So it will be good if the Government changes the rules making Auto Dipping Lights a compulsory feature for all new vehicles.  Kits can also be provided in the market for retro fitment.)

Hope you enjoyed reading my views on how the government can help improve the common road safety hazards in India.

What other issues do you think need to be highlighted? Please do leave your comments in the comments box below.