https://www.thenewsminute.com/articl...lorry-tn-90208
Private sleeper bus catches fire in Ulundurpettai, Tamilnadu after it hits a tanker lorry taking U turn. 4 charred to death on spot.
It was due to a passenger, a Policeman, who enquired the location of emergency exit in bus during the start of the journey and opened the emergency exit door after to lead all but 1 passenger to safety, that more deaths were prevented. The other 3 who charred to death are drivers, cleaners of bus and lorry.
I can't forget the fire in Bangalore to Hyderabad bus where 45 passengers were killed in 2013.
This incident tells the importance of:
1. Identifying and memorising emergency exits while boarding a bus or train (and aeroplanes too).
2. Carrying a 'Glass breaker and seatbelt cutter' (which costs Rs.200-300) in car and while travelling in bus or train.
3. Carrying small fire extinguisher in car (and keep it handy but not exposed to direct sunlight- under armrest or glovebox).
Quote:
Originally Posted by locusjag Speaking of driving sense and the role of the RTO (or the lack thereof), here in Chennai, I saw a two wheeler throwing a fit of roadrage at a huge, multi-axled water tanker for taking a wide turn. The idiot on two wheels had tried to overtake on the left whilst the super tanker had long since indicated a left turn and he had gone over to the rightmost lane in order to execute a left turn. The idiot could've gotten crushed underneath axle #2...except that the cleaner of the lorry had warned the driver to stop just on time.
So here's the thing - every Tom, Dick and Harry in developed countries would know that heavy vehicles need extra room to turn. It's not something that's inborn. It is quite a struggle to first clear the computerised knowledge-test that DMVs make you take in the US for instance. I actually had to study every page of a 100 page PDF file for getting the state of Connecticut's DL. I only scored 21 out of 25 despite my best efforts; you need to score at least 20 to pass. That's how tough stage 1 of driving license tests should be. Stage 2 (the road test) is a way tougher thing to clear and meanwhile enough people fail stage 1 itself...
Our RTOs have let us down big time. They've abdicated their role in educating and weeding out potentially rotten road users. |
I had pitched my idea on another thread:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ml#post4477766 (Crowdsourcing ideas to reduce accidents - I'm helping the District Administration)
Sharing the relevant point here regarding RTO and road safety education reforms needed desperately in India.
"10th standard (SSLC) is the minimum requirement for driving license. So, Central government should enact a law and encourage states to enact similar laws (as education is in concurrent list) that:
- 'Road safety' should be a compulsory separate subject from 6th standard upto SSLC (10th standard).
- It should cover the important features of Motor Vehicles Act, defensive driving, road safety.
- The subject should have weightage equal to Maths, Science, Social science etc. and can be taken in the medium of instruction of the school, either English or any official languages.
- So, by 10th standard, all students will know the basis of road rules and safety. Only those with 18 years of age PLUS 75% or more marks in 10th standard in 'Road safety' subject should be able to apply for Learners license."
And as Locusjag said, there should be a very strict RTO testing of both theory and detailed practical driving tests.
But this is a long term solution for road safety in India and needs a lot of political will. But all I see is everyone is looking for quick fixes, and they backfire.