One of the rarest of freak accidents from the recent past and an instance that none of can ignore as a one off case!
If not the
manjha, it could even be a flying object from another vehicle or a bird flying low - These too are enough to kill you at good speeds.
Incidentally, I have no hesitation to admit that during our recent drive in a group comprising 6 cars, even the adult occupants had their share of popping their head out from the Sunroof of the Skoda Laura for a minute or two. Reading about this incident, I realized the possibilities of not just a Manjha but anything else that can be life threatening.
As I always say I will continue to learn each day, the Sunroof accident here on this post has laid in front of me a different perspective too. This accident is not just about the Sunroof and the Manjha but an incident that should remind the parents about the safety aspects of the occupants, more importantly kids when you are at the wheel.
As a father of a 6 year old daughter, It pains even more to see a kid die right inside the car, instantly in a pool of blood! I always tell this to my friends and folks around that after you start bringing up your kids, your thoughts about the safety of other kids on the road also increase a lot that you only were aware then but more careful today.
Riding kids on a 2 wheeler:
Unfortunate but true that I feel low to see kids on 2 wheelers & their parents riding around rashly without a single regard for safety. I slow down and pass 2 wheelers with kids from a distance than take any risk – I am paranoid that the kid standing/sitting in front will indulge in something that might make the rider lose his balance or get into my lane. I shared this article to my wife as soon as I read to let her know how an accident can happen that you may have never thought about it. More than the education about such accidents, I prefer to have that fear in me and the folks in my car that risks are not worth it. Education will keep you informed but the fear will remind you more and make you drive sensibly and practice safety.
This accident posted by bhpian
2500cc here is also another grave reminder –
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...ml#post4021926.
2 wheelers and Kids is certainly not the best combination. More than fall and the fact that your body is totally exposed to external elements, my biggest fear is getting run over by a bus/truck after you fall down. It need not be a high speed fall, you can avoid a pothole or brake suddenly and that big truck can knock you down and run over you, instantly! I showed that video to my daughter and told her why exactly I don’t allow her to ride on a 2 wheeler.
Bucking up:
When it comes to buckling up too, I had posted how unsafe it is to make your kid either stand or sit in the front seat, without belts. I had posted this accident where a daughter of friend knocked her head and cracked the windscreen in the duster only because the driver braked hard. She was lucky to have suffered no major injuries (Internal or external) due to this. Here is that incident:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...ml#post3911682
With my daughter on the booster seat and belted, I have braked hard deliberately to make her realise that how buckling up kept her right there on the seat and she acknowledges this. Again, my worst fear is that if she isn’t belted is if for some reason I have to brake hard at highway speeds, she will get thrown right next to me on the dashboard. Hence, no standing inside the car whatsoever.
Opening and closing the doors
Always from the left side & it is not just the location where you parked, more important is the fact that once kids are seated, their hands should not be on the door frame or the door itself when you close. I always tell my daughter to keep both her hands together as I close the door. The last thing you want is a broken finger bone.
Your own driving habits
Abrupt moments – Braking, Accelerating, Gear shifts – With kids on board, the last thing you want is pass the jolts to them. So specific that my daughter instantly thinks I am driving fast even if there is a noticeable push due to the turbo kick. Like I always try to, drive a manual car as if it’s an automatic that the gearshifts, acceleration & engine braking are never felt inside.
No Rolling down and driving
There hasn’t been a single instance where my kid has ever bothered to touch the power window switch to roll down that window. Only in ghats, I roll it down by 3 inches for some fresh Air and avoid motion sickness for her
Walking on road – Face the traffic, let the elder stay on your left
Crossing the road - Never run to cross the road, examples of how fast anyone can approach you or how badly they can fail to brake in time and crash on you is to be explained to the kids too. Of course assessing traffic from both sides before attempting to cross is a basic rule that needs no mention
Leaving kids inside the car alone-
Not even a minute please. Remember when you lose sight, there can be any hooligan who can smash that window and steal just anything (and take your kid too). I also fear somehow they can release that handbrake out of curiosity even after being warned & fiddle with that gear stick. Not to forget those deaths of kids inside the locked car due to lack of oxygen.
Educate them-
Educate your kid, constantly, nothing works better than this – Explain about how accidents can happen, show some videos (Less gory of course). I recall a non-stop drive to Ahmedabad from Bangalore when we got stuck for 40 mins at Nalasorapara after Mumbai. It was dusk and my daughter had slept well, watched couple of movies and it was time to talk. I explained her 2 things then I remember well – What are different type of roads based on Number of lanes and what each lane is meant for – Driving and overtaking and she surprises me time and again when suddenly she tells me “Paapa, its 4 lane, 6 lane“ etc. On the way to Nandi Hills few months back, which is a single carriageway, she was quick to understand why there was 2 way traffic and the associated caution I was taking while driving too.
Take pride when they learn it right, everytime:
Last but not the least – I feel more happy (& proud) when the little one doesn’t say “Drive fast” or “Overtake that car”. That talks a lot about the message that was passed in the past few years and her acknowledgement and understanding about road safety. Kids with such education will grow up as those few good drivers we see around us.
Accidents like these are lessons for all of us. Drive safe, take care of the occupants.