[Samurai]

Originally Posted by LLL

I think fighting a goon with bare hands is a very bad idea.

Fighting itself is a bad idea. When you introduce a weapon into a fight, it escalates the fight into the next level, you'll cross that invisible line. Nobody will consider an armed person to be innocent in a fight. Consider the reva guy with the chilly spray. Think about what happens after. Say you plunge your pointed weapon into the stomach of a fellow roadrager just because both side couldn't control their anger. You'll end up in prison and the other guy might die. Worse, you may get lynched by the public. Without a weapon, you guys may throw a few punches and others/cops will intervene and then you could walk away hurting only your ego.

If you have to carry a weapon, you can do so. However, don't pull it out in a roadrage situation. If you about to be robbed, then you can pull it out. Of course, there is the question of actually knowing how to use the weapon.

[lamborghini]

Hey samurai,
I agree with you fully.
I dont carry a weapon but then again i do not drive but once i get a license tehn maybe i will carry one for self defence in case the need arises.
I still think a good fake gun will solve all my problems.
It isnt illegal is it ?
But if the other person raises his hand and if he isnt any important person, then he is dead.
These fake guns can be very lethal if used properly.
But will not kill anyone.
Blind them at the max.
Anyway if one does get in a fight,
aim for the groin area or the eyes - i have never seen a woman fight so far.
It will stop him enough for you to over power him or get away, and then if it his fault, call the cops.

[RJK]

Samurai,

Standing applause for you. The way you reacted in that college situation is fabulous.Very & I mean very few people think with the head when provoked (myself included). Its extremely easy to get carried away in emotions especially when it comes down to the ego. I've had my share of verbals with the autos & taxis too. I shall definitely keep your example in mind from now on.

[humyum]

Guys a wheel spanner is a good a weapon as it gets.Its perfectly legal and u can keep it besides your handbrake and use it in instances when absolutely needed.
Had an incident some around 2 years back when i was 18 and had come down from bangalore to mumbai for my vacations.Took our 800 out with one of my friend.As soon as we left our building and entered our small galli to reach the main road.As soon as i entered the galli i saw a qualis comming from the opposite side at breakneck speed.I was thinking that this guy will stop..this guy will stop and he does not and as my car was slant as i had just left our building he hits the right beck fender which is there behind the back door at about 50 km.The car due to the impact from the much heavier qualis almost jumps from behind and becomes straight.On top of that he is planning to run away with this.But traffic situation does not permit his run.Out i get and his first sentence is "TUMHARE BAAP KA ROAD HAI KII GADDI AISE CHALA RAHA HAI".MAN that makes lava erupt in my head and i pull his collar and remove him right from the window and take the car keys away.Was so pissed that this time even before he could say anything i start with the expletives and push him around saying was this his dads road and blah blah.He warns me stop but seeing the damage to my baby i think if i had a rifle i would have killed him.All i expected was for him to come out and say sorry or something like i will pay for the damages.But this guy was plannning to run away and for his mistake the first sentence he said was totally wrong and that provoked me.
He then tries to push me around but for his size that was kind of impossible.I ask him decently for the licence which he says he does not have.He tries to run away saying that he will call his seth and get the licence too and comes and catches a rick but my scared friend has finally found some guts and stops the rickshaw as soon as he gets in.Public has also gathered by then and i had called my dad too by then.I told my dad the entire story and that guy was like aapka beta jooth bol raha hai and stuff and threatened my dad with unimaginable consequences if we did not let him go.My dad was like i am talking decently with u and u are threatning me.That was it,my dad held this guy from behind while he was shouting and raving and i checked his pocket and got his licence and then he cooled down.He called his owners and they came with a cop and all and the cop on hearing the story from the public did not say a word and was standing just as a bystander.The owners which is 2 guys and 2 ladies and lady talks telling me to let the guy go and they will pay for the damages and was very aplogetic and the other lady meanwhile was talking to the driver and gettin his side of the story and obviously to save his job this guy would lie.The other lady then starts shouting at my dad that dekh lungi tum sab ko and host of other crap.The other good lady meanwhile gives me her card and stuff and asks me to call her once the car is ready for paying the bill for the damages.Go to the police station write an NC with the police about the incident they note down everything including the car number and tell me that i did a good thing by writing an NC.
Give the car to the service station and get a bill of 3000 bucks and did not call th lady as dad said forget it.
Although now i would never get into such brawls unless provoked too much as maturity comes with age

[mxx]

From my experience I never had a bad experience. I have travelled through many places in Karnataka, parts of chennai, Kerala, parts of southern maharashtra and Goa. And stop occasionally to photograph sceneries, or just for a break.
Infact I hear of more roberies in suburbs of cities than highway.
But I am not hinting that it very safe on the highways everywhere. Just do a decent research on the place you are going before starting on a journey.

[Captain Pings]

some mature advice out here

guys, our roads are getting better; but road rage is escalating too. In north india, agression is usually the first reaction - at times I've realised the ' namaste' works ! yup, i just join my hands and the other guy automatically lets out a smile !! ( well.... usually does!)

... as for the question of unsafe roads - as a lot of people have written in - its all about doing a proper recce.

there are certain sections in U.P which are still dangerous. the shamli - bagpat road remains extremely dangerous at night.

considering we're members of india's premier automobile forum - its up to us to lead by example on our roads eh? i personally love taking the higher moral ground and making the other guy eat humble pie!!

[sumitkalindi]

Good Topic.

Let me share my understanding and experiences. I am now working in acompany and I am posted in Norteast. My job makes me travell all over north east sometimes more than 600 kms overnight in my Indica. I am from calcutta so i also have expe of city.

Well in city if some thing happens, most common being a bike or any other vehicle knocks your car, just remember, it is a miracle, that in those crowded roads similar experiences don't happen every day to your car. Be freindly and polite while approching the other guy. That always works.

In Deserted streches, have a headlight which can illuminate all the features of the road, remember the only fear there are robbers. They usually target Night super busses, and trucks, so the blockage have just enough space to let your car pass through, if not just turn around and get out of there. Also keep out an eye for the places where usually all the long distance buses stop for fooding etc. Stop at those places even if only for a cup of tea. You can get a lot of information about the road ahead form there. If you spot an unusually large number of places be sure to stop, and try to get some info. This had helped me quite a few times. there are places where all the long distance busses stop and wait for police escorts to take them through the next dangerous stretch. Always stick with them in such situation. Usually 3/4 group of 3/4 armed police board the first the last and one or two busses in the middle of the formation, notice one of the busses in the middle of the line which has police in it and stay in front of it.

That should keep you safe for the night.

Happy motoring

[tsk1979]

Hmm, interesting stories over here.
But one advice, if you are hitting deserted roads, make sure you do your research. There are armed gangs who look for victimes. In parts of India entire trucks are looted, these guys manage to stop trucks and kill the drivers, a car wont have a chance.
Usually such roads are obvious. Any local will tell you. For example in some parts of UP its not safe to venture out in your car after dusk. Even trucks stay off road.
Have driven on such a road, and man I was in a hurry to reach before dusk.

Regarding deserted roads down south, I went my wife on one, and dont want to do it again. Nothing happened, but we were so apprehensive when its started getting dark, that I was pushing to the limits to reach the resort(Its called silent valley). At the resort we were the only two people there. We checked out at 6am(After reaching at 9pm previous night) and rushed to chickmanglur!

The lesson, dont venture out on deserted roads alone, unless you know the road well. When going to an outing in the lap of nature, look for a more popular resort and prefer to travel in a group.

[DRC]

DESERTED ROADS ARE VERY SAFE!

Did I do a mistake? I don't think so.

For this one question, three subjects are being discussed here.

1. Safe from road rage
2. Safe from robberies and car jacking
3. weapons

My take on....
Road rage, Best thing to do is FORGIVE ( I am assuming you do not indulge in road rage). You be the GOD and the other guy the sinner. Fighting back, accusing in return only spoils your cool and composure. I have observed myself as well as others in situations like this. If I get mad at a guy, get into verbal duals, next thing after that I will be doing is driving badly myself. Yes, invariably a thread of anger, frustration will be running in your mind which takes away the presence of mind.

Road rages do not happen by intention. They are mistakes inadverdantly happen, due to accidants, ignorance, di-regard, and the individuals egos put the blame on others. Do not get out of the car to sort out issues. ignore the comments, If cornered, ask the other guy to report to police and pose you do not care.

Mostly this happens in urban areas, and rarely in deserted areas.. So deserted areas are safer.

Robberies... It is a dangerous sitiation. The intent is bad, clear to the culprit sooner and clear to the victim too later.
This will happen usually in a deserted place where it is not too far from a city. of course no too deserted where the chances of getting a victim is less. Such areas earn reputation. avoid them if possible. When you travel out of town, to unfamiliar destinations, make it a point to ask your hotel desk or some one you think could help, about how safe it to take your planned at that hour.


Types..
Cons: Usually some one will stop you and ask for help, lift, or lurking for victim to approach them, You can avoid these situations. Never try to help any one whom you dont know. ( Charities can be done to UNICEF etc.. to get into good books of God. ) Not even beautiful babes (they look better on the road side).

Should you need direction/ help, ask the cops or a shop vendor, not the ones standing by.

Way laying..

If you see an obstacle on the road, be suspecious. See if it is a trap. Usually there may be stones on the road, a fallen tree, or a metal wire tied across the road ( usually happens where frequented by two wheelers), Be vigilant, look for them and avoid.

In case you encounter a situation, best is to escape from the place and inform the cops even if you are not robbed.
If you get closer, evaluate if you can use your car as a weapon. Understand the capabalities of you car. See if you can wade through trap and escape. Or turn around and bolt from the scene.

If you gotten yourself into the situation and could not escape, obey the robber. DONOT resist, DONOT TALK, DONOT EVEN PLEAD TO SPARE YOU, Just give away the valuables that he asks. Save your life and bones.

These days there is a new type of trap, happening rampant in Bangalore.

First infuriate you by reckless driving, deliberately crash into your car, and there by trigger your rage. Once you get out of your car to fight or argue, they pull out the weapons and rob. So be careful and not to get into tussle of any kind for what so ever reason.
And IMPORTANT, DONOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. ROLL UP THE WINDOWS, LOCK FROM INSIDE, STAY PUT INSIDE. CALL THE COPS IF NECESSARY.

[Boom Shiva]

Originally Posted by sumitkalindi

Good Topic.

In Deserted streches, have a headlight which can illuminate all the features of the road, remember the only fear there are robbers. They usually target Night super busses, and trucks, so the blockage have just enough space to let your car pass through, if not just turn around and get out of there. Also keep out an eye for the places where usually all the long distance buses stop for fooding etc. Stop at those places even if only for a cup of tea. You can get a lot of information about the road ahead form there. If you spot an unusually large number of places be sure to stop, and try to get some info. This had helped me quite a few times. there are places where all the long distance busses stop and wait for police escorts to take them through the next dangerous stretch. Always stick with them in such situation. Usually 3/4 group of 3/4 armed police board the first the last and one or two busses in the middle of the formation, notice one of the busses in the middle of the line which has police in it and stay in front of it.

That should keep you safe for the night.

Happy motoring

Very good advice Sumit, especially about travelling along with the buses who have police escorts. Thank you.