Thousands of people die or are injured
everyday in road accidents. It may result in partial to permanent disabilities
for those involved in accident. Their family members suffer directly and all
this add up to the social cost as well. Admittedly, accidents are accidents,
yet it can be reduced substantially with caution and precaution. Many of the
victims of road accidents are those, who are not at fault yet, they are sucked
into such unfortunate consequences.
Certainly, prevention is better than
cure and we all know this. Somehow, we forget it or try to flout the very basic
or simple rules of life, in our living and conducts; thinking that any such lapses
may not lead to our own harm. That is only true, till we encounter the largely preventable
nightmare personally, and in person, as a witness. But, by that time, it might
be too late for us to effect proper corrections. Our sincere regrets, pains or
losses may not provide us with solutions for regaining, what we lost for being reckless.
Lot of people are the victims of the unintended actions of others. A small or even
a freak accident may ruin our future irrevocably. It is therefore, far better
to learn from others’ mistakes; but not from our own.
In our present times, it is next to
impossible not to use the means of transportation, whether personal or public.
We have to move out, and move out faster in a busy and competitive environment.
Regular or frequent travel and commuting is inevitable that cannot be avoided;
for us now, ‘time is money.’ We are told to rush, run and do fast, everything.
Otherwise, we may find ourselves left behind or waiting as the last person, the
end of a very big serpentine queue. Since we dread that, we try to hurry up,
muting the rules of the game. Yes, we have to ‘get set and go’ which we need to
do efficiently utilizing our ever shrinking tome, yet simultaneously, as far as
possible; kicking and also pausing, in a most responsible way. This certainly
is a tall order that many cannot cope with days in and days out.
Please remember a saying, “better late
than never”, if you are driving the vehicle. Everyone must reach his/her work
place or home safely enough and definitely. Road accidents are preventable,
except in certain unfortunate situations, when we are alert and obey the safety
rules; and not otherwise. Let us not be responsible for being the cause of harm
to others. It just takes following, some simple rules of the road and a
consciousness of safety, while on the go.
First thing first, so, by spending some
‘extra’ money we need to keep our ‘beasts of burden’ in tiptop condition. Next,
we should follow the traffic rules fully as required of us as ‘drivers’. We
always ‘don’t drive’ but are driven by others too, who are even quite unknown
to us; praying and expecting in rapt silence that the drivers will not overturn
the caravans. It is a kind of ‘faith’ that keeps us alive during our sojourns.
When, people are ‘driven’ by other ‘drivers’,
accidents do happen; and if we remain escaped from such calamities we kinda thanking
our karma. But, on few occasions, we are bruised but come out wise or as lucky passengers.
This can serve as a lesson for us as the drivers or the passengers or the
bystanders. Though, we may not be in the driver’s seat always; still the fates
of the passengers, drivers and unconcerned others may have their fates tied
together. Essentially, we are not, in a way, different from each other. It is
called realization and has got absolutely nothing to do with the competing
esoteric realms.
As intelligent beings of the entire cosmos
(don’t we claim it?), we, further should not mix driving with drinks or blink
too rapidly or too slowly, particularly after the dead of the night; for even
the cops won’t be able to locate us if there is a need. The drivers should
remember that an admixture of various brands of spirits or intimate encounter
of narcotics, alcohols and certain medicines can be quiet frightening. In the
later case, we may even drive, as it can be a finish versus finish event that
most probably, we won’t be even remembering. Taking of legal or medical
cannabis or other ‘highs’ my impair our senses (proven medically) and suddenly
increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle (unknown to automobile
manufacturers, as to how it happens or why it happens) driven by you. Believe
me and don’t try it yourself. In case
one is a passenger in such a scenario, this may not pose much problem to
him/her/they and find the journey exhilarating. But when we turn around and want to know about
a driver’s fortune as per the just mentioned facts above, it could be just
different, I do bet. In this case, the vehicle may go dizzy, topsy-turvy or turn
turtle; even if you are that person is a master driver with a valid
international driving license. The folks at the licensing authorities are
certainly are not the representatives of God to guarantee your actions or fate,
including mine.
Since, distractions are sure reasons of
road accidents, it is better to remain focused while on wheel. This not a new
thing, as we have already done during our annual high school certificate
earning examination. Enjoy your driving by playing slow music that your soul
desires but it is a no, no; when it comes to texting, sexting or talking; using
your ‘inseparably other self’ smart-phone or mobile. If you are too hungry,
angry, frightened, threatened or feel bitten by your competitors and rivals of
various types; it is wise to pause, rest, get back your composure and cool down
before you jump to your vehicle to veer off to the wild. In case if you find
the vehicle is not cool enough and required by its manufacture watering liberally
or even patting on its back; then please do so. The instructions of the
‘creator’ for safe and optimum performance of the machine are to be obeyed
also. The vehicle is a conglomeration of different mechanical parts that forms
a unity for its mundane avatar. Though we only have real souls, your vehicle
has a quantum soul, as well. It too requires nourishment. And that are
mentioned in the manual for the vehicle, while purchasing it. In case, yours is
a second-hand beauty, you may just plainly forget about any such thing as it
might be a having a punctured soul and refurbished persona kept intact by extra-educated
mechanics. Even it might be having a very dark past and may not last longer or
obey you for sure. Just thank yourself that the vehicle is in one piece and
along with it you are also the same person.
Do not neglect or put your inflated ego between you and your beast,
whether it is new or old. It too requires lot of tender care and mechanical
luv! So, be ‘careful’, in respect of your vehicle. Better, start a passionate
affair with it for your own benefit as it is supposed to carry you as per your
whims, at times.
Last but not the least; build yourself
a reputation among your peers and allied persons that if you have work at a
short distance, you prefer to walk your way and let the vehicle sleep. If you
are already doing so, you are a candidate or receiving my thanks can declare
yourself as a proud citizen who is environment friendly (know that, at least, you
have polluted the common environment less and has helped in reducing the carbon
footprint), a dignified personality and have contributed substantially towards
saving the non-renewable fossil fuel. Additionally, you too, reduced your
chance of getting involved in vehicular accidents for yourself and others.
Finally, if you want to go fast then,
drive in a fast-lane and never in a lane meant for the slow drivers. Choose
your destinations carefully and avoid the crowded roads, if that can be done.
Always drive to success and in
pleasure. Avoid any road that is blocked or have myriad potholes. Do not try to
incur exorbitant medical cost, just for wrong driving. It is far profitable to
drive right.
If you are reaching your middle age,
past of it or in whatever age-group, from time to time, make a habit of
investing in a nice bicycle and merrily pedal it for robust health; and of
course for a great change. I have no doubt that you will enjoy it by going to
the countryside or to meet an ol’ friend who does not and cannot own a vehicle
due to bad luck. He/she will appreciate your simplicity will not grudge you for
his/her misfortune.
By doing so you are bound to discover
many, many new things you had missed while driving your vehicle. In between
driving your vehicle and bicycle; also find enough time to walk on the sideways
or footpaths, as a humble human being that you are or used to be temporarily.
During your brisk walks, you can safely recall your past in peace. It is a kind
of healing, you will realise; in returning to one’s roots. After all, we humans
are bipeds. Biped simply means an animal that walks on its two feet.
At a certain point of time, the
evolution made us stand erect and helped us to walk efficiently on rock-beds, plain-lands, sand-dunes and soil-pits, etceteras of the forests. Along with a disproportionately unequal brain size, in comparison to other animals, we
started to lord over all of them. We, too, ran while in danger using our
organic two-wheeler. Our legs gave us much more than mere speed. That is how we
came to be known as humans and the rest as animals or machines; including your
vehicle!!