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.