There are two major problem which come to my mind when it comes to driving safely:
1. Ease of driving a vehicle in INDIA.
2. Transition Phase or Affordability of Safety products.
How many times do we see under age drivers on roads and the more common, people who do not know how to drive well ( read not perfect but well). But do we change NO, because a son/daughter driving at early age is a sign of STATUS & PRIDE for all of us. We then boast of his abilities and pump his ego, instead of questioning his Maturity and Understanding towards the importance of SAFE and SANE riding and the value of LIFE. We enjoy making mockery of law, because we know its easy to get away, if you have the sources or the $$$'s.
Now, most of the riders ride because they are in the transition phase between a bi-cycle and a motorcar, all they find in between is public transport or Scooter/ Motor-bikes and since public transport is downright BAD in most cities of India, we choose the Scooter / Motorbike of our choice. Without understanding that both of these vehicles demand skills and put you at risk. Unlike a car there is no safety shell around you and if you make a wrong judgement or fall in the line of somebody's incorrect judgement, you will need even higher skills to evade or will have to kiss the tarmac and we all have seen the later to be true in most cases.
Transition phase also brings the ignorance factor or short term factor and hence people do not want to invest too much money on stuff which in my opinion is ESSENTIAL for survival on these vehicles besides your skill. Some of us may have been plain lucky to have survived so far in our riding careers but I would request all to PLEASE AT LEAST WEAR A HELMET and develop a SANE sense towards riding.
Also, please respect the GIFT OF LIFE and understand that RIDING is only A PART OF LIFE.
signing off -
__________________
"Be who you are, and be that well"
|