Mobile can sometimes render us Immobile

Pairing mobility with mobile can have adverse consequences. Its pretty easy to spot out people speaking on their mobiles while driving. What they do not understand is that in a bid to multi-task and save time, they put their lives and of others on stake. This video I came across on YouTube gives a fair enough idea of what this avoidable Human Error can lead to. Watch it, if you have a strong heart.

Various countries around the globe have made laws that ban usage of mobile phones completely including texting. The usage of cell phones while driving not only distracts the driver from the activity he/she is performing but also undermines their reaction time due to attention lapses. Several research studies have been done on this issue through self-report questionnaires and also on simulators. It has been discovered that there is a difference in indulging in a conversation with the in-car passenger and those on a cell phone. While the former can alert the driver on an approaching danger, there is no such possibility with the latter. An aspect of conversation suppression has also been observed that implies slow rate of conversation on gauging any threat on roads while the driver and the co-passenger are more likely to follow this rule, its quite impossible for the remote passenger on cellphone. The content of the conversation also matters, therefore the more complex and involving the issue, the more cognitive workload and the more probability of error.

While the latest technology ensuring built-in devices that helps the driver to converse hands-free, research  has proved that it does not help much. The probability of being engaged in lapses, errors and accidents is as high as with the hand-held devices.
Another research study quoted that drivers on cell phones are as bad as drunk drivers. They can be compared to the drunk drivers those who are having blood alcohol level at 0.08%
To conclude, Mobile usage behind the steering wheel can render us immobile, so as a responsible citizen and road user we should send this message across, create as much awareness as possible so that no life is compromised.

The Commercial Drivers

‘’With great powers comes great responsibility’’ was the Spiderman’s popular adage. Well I guess responsibility can come with or without powers as well, I mean on the roads when commercial drivers are carrying a huge responsibility of several lives at their disposal, do they act as a sensible or responsible drivers always? Well, looking at the scenario on Indian roads, I don’t think so. I have observed many at times these drivers for not observing the traffic laws especially at night when there is no one to check them out. The darkness with its anonymity factor getting enhanced, adds to a sense of great power in the minds of commercial drivers, who assume the shape of powerful, invincible immortals,  trying every possible death-defying stunts at the risk of their own lives…and that of their passengers.  This makes me think that even if they are given some powers I doubt it’ll be used for greater good of humanity.

There are so many incidents of having trucks or bus drivers being booked for rash and negligent driving and causing deaths under Section 304-A of Indian Penal Code. They don’t realize the extent of responsibility they carry. The lapse from the driver’s side is always evident but then I feel there is always other side of the coin as well.

The drivers are not the only ones to blame, sometimes due to many factors they are compelled to act in a certain way. The economical reasons and long hours of duty being the major ones, so when basic requirements of food, home and shelter need to be fulfilled, some sacrifices in terms of health and family life are unavoidable. The infamous relationship between truck drivers and drug usage is not unfamiliar.  Major reason of truck drivers being involved in opium, poppy husk and other drugs is due to the fact that they need to get themselves going even under worse circumstances.

I feel there should be proper training modules to enhance and also check upon the driving skills of these drivers. As there are different stakeholders involved at different levels from awareness, education to enforcement, some steps and initiative needs to be taken. Following are some suggestions for the same.

1.    Proper Training and issue of the driving license under strict supervision.

2.    Course in Defensive Driving in lines similar to those being carried out in developed countries.

3.    More training for the young eligible drivers that can open up employment opportunities, also making a substantial staff available that can be duly allocated cutting down on working hours.

4.    Maybe a proposal of setting up an accredited driving schools catering especially to the needs of commercial drivers.

5.    Salary increase.

6.    Initiative from political front.

7.    Awareness and the potential hazards of driving under the influence of drugs.

8.    Stringent laws of being booked for driving under the influence of drugs.

9.    Shutting down the ‘Highway hattas’ that in turn encourage drinking and driving.

10.  Revocation of the driving license and follow-up to see that it is not issued again if caught flouting traffic laws.

11.  Relaxation workshops for better self-control and de-stress strategies.

12.  Moral guidance for making them aware of being a responsible driver.

How soon will this happen? Who would bell the cat? Prone as we are to create a crisis and then handle it, our country today stands on the fringe of a big crisis.  An epidemic of sorts is already there with our country leading the world in road fatalities. But as it is said, it is never too late to learn, things that have happened cannot be undone but changes in positive direction can provide scope for better society and a better future.   

The Fender-Bender

I dont know if you have noticed but during a conversation on Road Safety with my mentor, we happened to touch upon a topic probably given less heed to. Often we come across cars with their side-view/fender mirror closed. Why are they closed when they help us substantially on the events occurring outside our peripheral vision while driving? As per commonsense, since it is located outside the vehicle, are more susceptible of being broken and probably to avoid such mishap the drivers choose to rather keep it closed. That is one probable and I guess a reasonable excuse I could think of.

(fender mirrors are susceptible of being broken)

But since I have now been more aware of this phenomenon when on roads, hypothetically saying perhaps every one in four cars I come across have their fender or side view mirrors closed. What can be interesting enough to see whether non-usage of these have led to any collision or traffic accidents? As keeping these mirrors closed do have a significant impact as one is unable to gauge what is going on behind and at the sides of the vehicle.

(the above car shown has its fender/side-view mirror closed)

Although nowadays the modern cars (the expensive lot) have these mirrors mounted normally at the ''A'' pillar (also called the windshield pillar) rather than the wings but the lower, middle and many high segment cars in India are still following the same trend. Is it the engineering or designing loophole that can be averted, probably designing these mirrors in such a way so that they serve its purpose and at the same time not vulnerable of being broken, also keeping the low-budget in mind? Think...

Raging Road Rage

"Thus it happens all too often, as an outlet whether of a permanent or temporary state of mind, that sitting behind the wheel a person's whole attitude changes as if the period of driving were not part of real life, but some stage between episodes of real life. Many think only in terms of 'other cars' not of 'other drivers', and thus forgetting all consideration assume a dangerously competitive or even aggressive attitude towards those other cars. The motor car offers man a tremendous increase of power, and by identification it becomes the driver's own power and will which are thus multiplied. The greater this uncritical self-exaltation, the greater the irritation when it is obstructed."
J.J. Leeming, Road Accidents: Prevent or Punish? (1969)

The above quote very explicitly focuses on the human ‘psyche’ that is vulnerable to the personality disposition it carries. I wrote this article to draw attention towards the horrendous acts people indulge in, deliberately on roads.

‘Road Rage’, each one of us knows about it, have read it or probably encountered the same. Although this term was first coined in the USA in the 1980s, it has been prevalent in our society ever since the driver took control of the vehicle.But ever since several citations of road rage in newspapers world over have existed from that time and place, for example, this from the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times, 2nd April 1988:

"A fit of 'road rage' has landed a man in jail, accused of shooting a woman passenger who's car had 'cut him off' on the highway."

Road rage is an escalated form of aggression. It has been definedas an "assault with the intent to do harm arising from the use of a motor vehicle’. The word ‘intent’ is of prime importance here and clearly demarcates the Road Rage from Aggressive driving.Aggressive driving does not rise to the level of criminal behavior. It includes tailgating, abrupt lane changes, and speeding etc. These potentially dangerous behaviors are traffic offenses, but are not criminal behavior. However, aggression is often observed to be a predisposition leading to road rage.

One such horrific incident occurred recently in the city of Porto Alegre in Brazil. There was a peaceful demonstration going on by young bicyclists to spread forth the message of reduction in the number of cars on the streets.Out of nowhere a speeding black Volkswagen comes andrams nearly 100 cyclists injuring at least forty people. The driver fled the scene of incident but was later arrested by the authorities.

This video will give you some insight on this dreadful attack

The perpetrator identified as Ricardo José Neis, 47 years old was said to be mentally unstable. The reason that was given by the accused - that cyclists were scratching his car while he waited for them to ride by.

Was the reason big enough that led him to commit such a heinous act? Was he really mentally unstable? Where is the role of enforcement in preventing such avoidable acts?

Whatever the case may be, it does not justify the murderous attack as it was deliberate and consciously done. This is just one incident out of hundreds that occur every year all over the world, some are reported others go unnoticed. I would just like to end this article with a thought….

"When involved in a road rage incident, take a deep breath and ask yourself if the actions are worth your life." ~ Grant Boles

The Traffic Woes

The Traffic is very bad these days….

Oh you know its worse where we live in the heart of the city, when I have to cross the road to drop my son for his school bus that comes on the other side..mind you..its SCARY….

One is not oblivious of this or the similar kind of conversation that happens with us, around us. Its there, you just cant avoid it.

What is the first thought that comes to mind on hearing the word ‘Traffic’??

I don’t expect a pleasant image especially when the newspapers are thronged with something bad happening on roads…everyday...every moment…

Well, the dictionary meaning of the word says that it denotes mobilization/transportation of goods and commodities, but with the course of time, the very meaning of the word has undergone drastic change.

‘Traffic’ is now more readily associated and brings forth some familiar images in mind, i.e. the ever increasing number of vehicles on roads, the continuous honking of the horns, the exchange of heated arguments and blows if someone ‘supposedly’ does harm to you by overtaking on wrong side or close encounter with the vehicle and so on.

The statistics show that around 1.2 million lives are lost each year worldwide due to road traffic accidents. This means that on average 3242 people were killed daily on the world's roads. 20 million to 50 million people were injured or disabled in road collisions.90% of road traffic deaths occurred in low-income and middle-income countries, having 81% of the world's vehicles.

‘Road Traffic accidents’ have been enlisted as one of the leading causes of death worldwide and ironically India holds dubious distinction of having the highest road crash fatalities in the world, with 1% of vehicular population it accounts for 10% of the fatalities. Further, we are practically losing the most productive people as 80% of road crash victims are between the age group of 15 to 40 years. One cannot underestimate the gravity of the situation and the dire need of the hour.

A traffic scenario is said to be comprised of three most essential components. i.e. the Human/Road User, the Vehicle and the Road Environment/Infrastructure.

There has been lot of emphasis on the widening of roads, on enforcement and improvement of the infrastructure to solve all traffic problems, but ironically somewhere the ‘being’ that operates the vehicle has been ignored.

Though ‘Human Error’ is said to be the most potent factor behind road accidents nothing substantial has been done in our part of the world to understand the ‘human psyche’ behind the steering wheel.

There has been a lot of research in the West on driving behavior, though initiatives are being done with behavioral experts at govt. institutes like the CRRI (Central Road Research Institute) but still this field is in its infancy in India and has a long way to go before making a mark here.

I have just started my research on this field which we call as ‘Traffic Psychology’ and I hope and believe that knowledge and awareness can act as catalysts bringing forth the behavioral change that is the Need of the Hour.