There have been two reactions to the shocking road accident caused by the death of industrialist Cyrus Mistry. Officials have been bragging about speeding on the highways, while every commenter worthy of their Twitter bot is preaching about the importance of putting on belts in the back seats. These are undoubtedly important issues but, unfortunately, let’s take a look at the real, structural problems of driving on Indian highways. The specific causes of the tragic accident will be known after the authorities who have examined all the information come to a conclusion.
But the two fatal flaws that put highway drivers at risk are always overlooked, although they are ubiquitous and experienced by drivers on a daily basis.
The first is the faulty design of highways. As the Mistry accident clearly demonstrates, one of the possible factors behind the accident was, without warning, from a three-lane highway to a two-lane road that crosses a river bridge. Turns and climbs. As if that wasn’t enough, the bridge walls didn’t have crash guards that could absorb the shock of the impact.
Even if the road does have to taper, there are enough numbers of ramblers to slow traffic as well as warning motorists of adjacent lane tightening two kilometers away and repeating every 500 metres. There should have been road signs. Indian highways, whether national or state, are notoriously devoid of road signs. It seems that highway authorities treat these signs as indulgences and not as part of the basic cleanliness factor of the highway. With so many parliamentary and assembly parties traveling abroad on various orientation programmes, it is curious that none of them noticed the ubiquity of road signs on these trips.
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Another problem, which the police have seriously ignored, is the traffic on the wrong side of the lane. It has been the experience of many highway drivers that they suddenly come across either a car, truck or two wheeler which is moving directly towards them. Highway drivers often get caught unintentionally and crash while trying to dodge oncoming traffic. Criminals justify this illegal action in the name of petroleum conservation and the police are also sometimes guilty of engaging in this practice. In addition, trucks, buses and other heavy commercial vehicles regularly violate lane discipline, forcing motorists to overtake from the wrong side.
Police turn a blind eye to the best known reasons for many of these violations. Instead, the blame is always placed on motorists.
Officials usually attribute India’s highway accidents to either over speeding or other driver-related faults. Surprisingly, no evidence has ever been provided to support these claims. Some accidents, to be sure, are themselves clearly caused by over speeding and do not require detailed forensic examination. But, by the same token, not all accidents can, or should not, be attributed to over speeding. It feels like a structured police response that plays with India’s myriad prejudices about privilege, fast cars and karma – with schadenfreude.
The whole notion of speeding raises an interesting question: do police ever differentiate between speeding and speeding? Highways are supposed to facilitate speed. This is not to ignore the fact that over speeding is dangerous and may not only endanger the lives of passengers but may also result in collateral damage to third parties. Still, of all the reports about highway accidents, the stock explanation is always faster (you can add seat belts to that list now). Strangely, the fault never lies with faulty road design, lack of road signs or a two-wheeler suddenly coming to the fore.
Cyrus Mistry’s accident has clearly demonstrated how wearing a belt in the back seats can actually save lives. But, it is now the knowledge gained after the event, a real feeling. Most people in the back seat in India do not wear seat belts as the law does not make it mandatory. Come to think of it, despite the current law, even many people sitting in the front row – including cab drivers in many cities – in the name of personal liberties – an argument that is strangely anti-vax. Resonates with the campaign. So, pointing fingers and blaming accidental death on belt negligence is a bit absurd, as is all about speeding.
Two other factors should be taken into account. One, automobile manufacturers in India refuse to provide adequate number of airbags to vehicles, although similar models have more airbags when exported to foreign markets. The second is a matter of behaviour. In addition to emphasizing a regulatory framework for what auto manufacturers can say about the acceleration rates of their models, there should be some guidelines in place for how advertising should show cars in motion. Too many stunts in commercials, unrealistic driving conditions and undue emphasis on speed can also insidiously shape driver behavior, leading to an entire generation of drivers on the highways.
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