[Carpainter]

Originally Posted by NiInJa

For most of us driving has become so common that our brain has sort of got used to it as a habit. Is it possible that we may forget some things ? I wonder if there will be a sudden spike in road accidents for a short time when the lock-down is lifted. It happens with me a lot of time, my brain does not actually remember the password but the keystroke sequence when I log into my computer everyday.

I don't think that could happen. Driving a car is more of an instinct or an acquired skill and less of a memory exercise. You don't have to remember when to shift gears or when to press the brake pedal or how much to turn the steering unlike remembering passwords. I think just like swimming and cycling, it comes automatically and more of a reflex action. I may be wrong though.

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

After the easing of lockdown restrictions on alcohol sales apparently road traffic accidents due to drunken driving have gone up. Is that true? Is it directly linked to alcohol or just to the rapid increase in traffic over the last few days.

I don't think people would go for a drive after consuming liquor during the lockdown as there are more number of cops on the road than the number of cars and chances of getting caught is higher than usual. Is there any statistics mentioning alcohol being the main reason behind these accidents during lockdown. If not then why blame something that's always easy to put finger on for every wrong doing of us.

[viXit]

Had to go to the farm for some work and bring produce back to the city and saw a LOT of vehicles being driven fast and hard on the highway. Which was not a rare sight but a little worrying because of a lot of migrants and daily wage workers walking along the sides of the roads trying to hitch a ride home or wherever they could find work.

Quite a few trucks and buses filled with people trying to go back to their villages.

But the absolute worst was within the city limits.
Nobody is obeying the lockdown and there are crowds everywhere.

Liquor shops have the most number of people lined up outside and none of them were even social distancing.

[Ashish0485]

After almost 2 months, yesterday at 4pm, I drove and commuted around 54 kms (to and fro) from whitefield to JP Nagar in Bangalore. Had some urgent work. I noticed some peculiar road manners:
1) Folks on two wheelers were turning a blind eye while crossing roads, changing lanes, taking U-turns
2) Impatient car drivers overtaking at illegal speeds and using any lane to overtake
3) On blind turns, people taking leap of faith that there won’t be any oncoming traffic
4) Somehow felt like there were a lot many inexperienced drivers on the road - unnecessary hard braking, sudden halts, sticking to the wrong lane, frequent lane changes.

[Sran]

I am stranded at my home in Ashok vihar, Delhi since lock down started as I was here for some business and everyday I see cars and bikes driven in true Delhi manner zooming past at 100 km/hr on road where people are on foot to purchase essentials. It's not that teenagers are driving like that but even people of age 50+ are driving recklessly. Every inch of footpath is covered by parked cars as is the norm in delhi as majority of residents have more than 1 car and have only 1 parking in the building plus in Ashok Vihar there are over 50 second hand car dealers and all there cars are always parked on footpath plus road.

[anumod]

In this lockdown time, I had three accidents and all three happened, when my vehicle was at stationery. Two time by drunkards. And one time by a guy on the phone. Two times, I had good damage on the car. (In one, it was rear ending -- my boot and bumper damaged. I need to replace both ). The second one caused my side steps damaged. So the lockdown is hurting me too. (On a side note all these accidents happened when I was out to help the under privileged with the help of Police )

[narayans80]

No traffic signals, no traffic enforcement. Its anarchy allover the place. I wouldn't be surprised if we overcompensate the accidents/deaths in the days/weeks to come.

[pradeepkc]

I was almost hit by a drunk driver yesterday who did not see a closed flyover and ended up sliding into the service road and missed me by a whisker. I stopped next to his car at the next traffic light to confront him and hand him over to police. I could smell alcohol from the passenger and he decided to jump signal and drive away. I decided not to chase him to avoid a physical conflict and endangering more people with his driving.

[nerd1200]

Apart from overspeeding, wrong side driving & jaywalking seems to be the new norm now.

I've seen around 3 accidents in front of our apartment complex due to this. Motorists (both 2 & 4 wheels) are driving on the wrong side as if it's their fundamental duty given the Lockdown situation. And there is no point in trying to reason with a jaywalking pedestrian as pedestrian > motorist. A scooter almost ran into me last week while riding on the wrong side. He even had the audacity of accusing me of being careless.

Urge everyone to be more careful than they normally would whenever you plan to step out now.

[saur95]

I think both lack of driving skill and sheer impatience especially show when you notice how people park their cars! 2-3 feet away from the pavement, double parking, parking on corners, wheels turned all the way out etc

I'm not sure if its the rush to avoid the queue or because they never learnt properly and were too comfortable being driven around all this while.

Originally Posted by nerd1200

Apart from overspeeding, wrong side driving & jaywalking seems to be the new norm now.

The title of the thread immediately reminded me of the wrong side driving I've encountered nearly every time I've headed out for groceries.

Usually, you'd only expect two wheels driving on the wrong side but the lockdown and resulting empty roads mean that even cars and SUVs have decided to take advantage. On two such instances, the car was being driven in the wrong direction along the inside (not even along the outer pavement) of a roundabout! These are blind corners and definitely accidents waiting to happen.

I'm sad to say it but I'm definitely not surprised with this number. 'Chalta hain' doesn't apply when you're dead.

[gautam109]

Just got news today of a bad car crash in our neighbourhood - near the Marine Drive flyover.

GJ license-plated Ciaz; based on this article, the car hit a stationary bus at high speed. Couple of teenagers in the car, the one in passenger seat unfortunately passed away.

[racer_ash]

Just goes on to show that the truckers are the most disciplined ones on the roads. Bring cars and bikes into the equation and our roads suddenly become a circus.

The truckers must be dreading the relaxation of the lockdown.

[Pratyush2407]

Originally Posted by gautam109

Just got news today of a bad car crash in our neighbourhood - near the Marine Drive flyover. Couple of teenagers in the car, the one in passenger seat unfortunately passed away.

The driver of the car is a friend from school. His surgery was successful and has been shifted to the ICU. The deceased was loved by a lot of people and will be dearly missed.

From what I know about the accident, the car should not have crumpled like this. Heartbreaking to see this.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by Pratyush2407

From what I know about the accident, the car should not have crumpled like this. Heartbreaking to see this.

Sorry for your loss.

To begin with, the car should not have been driven like this. Driver went too fast to notice the stationary vehicle, sharp swerve and car hit the vehicle sideways!

[OSH]

Originally Posted by ajmat

To begin with, the car should not have been driven like this.

From the little little information that keeps pouring in, it is alleged that they were racing out there.

The other car was being driven by a person who's name starts with 'V'. Not disclosing the full name as its not yet confirmed.

[JojyKerala]

Originally Posted by gautam109

Just got news today of a bad car crash in our neighbourhood - near the Marine Drive flyover.

GJ license-plated Ciaz; based on this article, the car hit a stationary bus at high speed. Couple of teenagers in the car, the one in passenger seat unfortunately passed away.

Based on your link:

Nagpal is the son of hotelier R R Nagpal

As per my understanding, this is the same Nagpal family of the Piem Hotels Ltd which is having a history of more than 50 years in the hospitality industry. Condolences to the bereaved family.