My 62,500 Kilometer Learning

Am writing this with a very heavy heart after having witnessed 3 bloody road accidents on my way back home between 2nd - 7th Jan 2020 at the by-pass road during early evening hours.

Stood beside the dead body (aged around 30) for 10-15 mins just to understand what had happened. Meantime the police arrived and removed the body for further formalities.

My mind continuously was relating me to the man as we both drove the same 2 wheeler, same road, same age, probably the only earning member of the family and until then the family also would have been waiting for him to join the dinner. Yes, I was very much becoming aware of the reasons that might have gone wrong and how that could be corrected so that I reach home for dinner daily thereafter.

1. He wasn't wearing helmet.

2. He was driving the right hand side of the road.

I drive 50 kms daily spending an average time of 2.5 hours on road (unusual considering a common man's travel) for the past 5+ years. Simple maths says I have spent 50(kms)×250 (avg no of working days in a year) × 5 (years) = 62,500 kms on road. Hence I feel that I could do some justice in sharing few safety tips for those who travel like me from office daily to meet their family end of the day.

Additional info: Tamil Nadu tops the list of road accident deaths per year excluding the fractures, commas etc.

So if you are riding a bike in Tamil Nadu you are at a high risk zone. Better re-look into your safety measures. ( these lines might look rude but the message is very direct, raw and factual).

1. Please buy a good quality helmet.

Considering that we spend so much for fun and food, this 1000 rupees is just a small number. End of the day you need to be there at least for your family members to be happy.

2. Lock your helmet belt after wearing it.

Yes. Helmets are useless without locking it. Don't just wear helmet for laws but lock it for life.

3. Always keep left while riding 2 wheeler.

Because right side is mostly the center of the road, other 4 wheelers and heavy vehicles take that. Better not to interfere in their area, we could smoothly drive our way.

4. Don't over speed. City has a speed limit of 40-50 KMPH

This will have your vehicle under your control, beyond which it would be difficult to control the vehicle during emergency, even if the person before or behind you is mistaking.

5. Never follow any heavy vehicles.

They can easily pass through any pot hole in-between but you would fall for it. Also any sudden breaks would make you get hit by the vehicles behind.

6. Service your vehicle every 3 or 4 months.

You can avoid break, chain, worn-out tires and other common failures easily. Which otherwise turns worse on-road. Yes, it drains your pocket, but still life is worth more. No time we would have to regret later.

7. Check air every 2 weeks at-least.

Driving with less air not only reduces mileage but risks in skidding, especially in the uneven roads and during rainy days.

8. Never drive emotionally.

If you have a bad day at office or home. Relax yourself before riding. Anger mixed with driving is more dangerous than water mixed with alcohol and always gets you out of control. Speeding your vehicle may ease out anger but would result fatal. Drive with complete realization of self.

9. Never drive too close to any vehicle.

Always keep safe distance so that u can apply break anytime to halt your vehicle easily. Driving at 80 km speed and too close to any vehicle, you obviously don't have a chance to control at emergency if the vehicle before / behind you stops or skids.

10. Try following ALL the traffic rules.

Stop before stop line and not on zebra crossing. Wait until green to start and never start because someone is honking behind. Yellow signal means warning to stop - don't consider it a chance to perform stunts to cross quickly. Late for office or any occasion means it's a question of your discipline - don't try covering it in road.

11. Always say "You Go First".

Say these words whenever you want to over-take or when someone is honking continuously to over-take you. Let them go, overtaking may not save much time than a minute or two but not at the cost of your life.

12. Finally if you are covering a long distance daily, buy a car.

Nowadays even with a budget of a lakh or two you could get a decent 2nd hand car - always safe. Safety first than economy.

Add your thoughts as comments, it might help someone reading this to better their travel safety.