Swift Vdi Tragedy.....

esteem_lover · 9th November 2009, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Swift has superb brakes.

No amount of brakes could help stop a car hurtling at 100 kmph within 15 feet.

raju2512 · 9th November 2009, 10:44

The myth that ABS = more powerful braking is quite prevalent. ABS will kick in only if there is a wheel lock. If the wheels are not locked there will be no difference between ABS and normal brakes

emkay456 · 9th November 2009, 11:39

100+ speed on a single lane is too adventurous !! I think because of Swift's good brakes you have only this much damage !!

debugged · 9th November 2009, 11:53

Parash, Good to hear that you were not hurt, the car looks in bad shape but let insurance worry about it.
I always see people think ABS is that one solution to all driving problems. As others have mentioned, unless your wheels had locked and you skidded some distance, ABS wouldn't have done any good. Rather, with ABS, you would have been more confident and doing 120.
You were in similar situation with your Skoda?! Hmm, seems like its time you slowed down little bit during night driving.

Selective · 9th November 2009, 12:21

You are 80-100kmph, only 15 ft distance to stop, and no place to maneuver! So, this equation will make it difficult for any car with or without ABS. I guess periodically checking the road clearance with High beam will also help. Drive safe!

jaaz · 9th November 2009, 12:33

@paraskhurana - ABS will be mandatory on all Cars from April 2012.

But, in the meanwhile, you can try our good old Bus Drivers and Jeep Drivers trick (Indian ABS). They pump the Brakes leaving a gap of a second or more.

sonirohit · 9th November 2009, 12:34

IMHO - not only ABS but a sane sense of driving is also required. The max speed limit on most of the indian highways & expressways (Which are in very good shape - NH1, Noida GNoida E'way, DND etc) is less than 90 KMPH. on Highways like this you should not have been driving this fast.

SamuraiJack · 9th November 2009, 12:53

Your tires make a lot of difference, change to 175/80 14 or 195/60 15- see the difference, your will feel more confident on high speeds/braking/cornering.

Since you have this car and its without ABS- it sure is a worthy spend to get good rubber

amohit · 9th November 2009, 12:59

Sorry to hear about it paraskhurana, but did I read 100kmph, dark and single lane road in the same paragraph? This was bound to happen. To get out of these you dont need ABS or airbags, what you need is grace of god and you had plenty of that!

Welcome to t-bhp.

phamilyman · 9th November 2009, 13:02

I personally find it a bit funny that everyone's saying 100 kph is unsafe etc etc.

Agree with Esteem_Lover: With 15 feet (5m) - assuming a reaction time of 0.6 sec - even at 36 kph (10m/s) - the accident would've happened nonetheless before any braking.

Its very easy for everyone here to wax eloquent on speeds but ultimately:
a. Its an individual comfort decision
b. Everyone speeds in real life. Some more, some less.

Give Paras a break with the speeches, eh?

ph03n!x · 9th November 2009, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

I personally find it a bit funny that everyone's saying 100 kph is unsafe etc etc.

Agree with Esteem_Lover: With 15 feet (5m) - assuming a reaction time of 0.6 sec - even at 36 kph (10m/s) - the accident would've happened nonetheless before any braking.

Its very easy for everyone here to wax eloquent on speeds but ultimately:
a. Its an individual comfort decision
b. Everyone speeds in real life. Some more, some less.

Give Paras a break with the speeches, eh?

Hahaha... We aint piling up on him for over speeding! I have to confess I have done as high 170+!

What we all mean is not to hurtle your car without knowing what is coming upfront, in other words, when you see an obstacle in front of you, your speed should be what it takes to either stop / slow down the car or our maneuver the obstacle

@Paras - this is not only for you, but something every driver should follow by instinct. If you cant see what is coming up, slow down and find ways to make sure what is out there before you speed up!

Moonraker · 9th November 2009, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

Hahaha... We aint piling up on him for over speeding! I have to confess I have done as high 170+!

Dont tell me that you had started riping your black beast,

Blur · 10th November 2009, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selective

periodically checking the road clearance with High beam will also help.

A similar incident almost happened to me on the NH-17.

Was on a high-speed stretch near Nagothane, doing around 120 (yes, I, too, speed). It was pitch dark ahead, when suddenly was alerted to a slight glint up ahead. Slowed down and flashed the "pass" beam. IT WAS A TRUCK WITH THE BACK COMPLETELY COVERED IN SOME TAR-LIKE MATERIAL. NO BRAKE-LIGHT, NOTHING.

Thanked my stars I noticed it in time.

Ramsagar · 12th November 2009, 16:49

Trying to reduce the gear at that nic of a moment is not possible for everyone. Only few experience people with good reflex action can do that.

pumping the breaks twice also could've helped but our mind is blank and have only option to slam the breaks as hard as possible.
The best thing to upgrade your head lamps to higher wattage and never ever forget to wear seat belts.
Never mind learn a lesson.

nairrk · 12th November 2009, 17:00

The ABS helps you to maintain full steering and directional stability when you brake heavily in an emergency, by preventing the road wheels from locking. The ABS does not releive you of your responsibility to drive with due care and attention.

The ABS will not eliminate the dangers inherent when:
-you drive too close to the vehicle in front of you.
-you take corners too fast
-the road surface is poor.
Thanks

9th November 2009, 10:44	#17
raju2512 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 325 Thanked: 143 Times	The myth that ABS = more powerful braking is quite prevalent. ABS will kick in only if there is a wheel lock. If the wheels are not locked there will be no difference between ABS and normal brakes
	() Thanks

9th November 2009, 11:39	#18
emkay456 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 388 Thanked: 7 Times	100+ speed on a single lane is too adventurous !! I think because of Swift's good brakes you have only this much damage !!
	() Thanks

9th November 2009, 11:53	#19
debugged BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 42 Thanked: 6 Times	Parash, Good to hear that you were not hurt, the car looks in bad shape but let insurance worry about it. I always see people think ABS is that one solution to all driving problems. As others have mentioned, unless your wheels had locked and you skidded some distance, ABS wouldn't have done any good. Rather, with ABS, you would have been more confident and doing 120. You were in similar situation with your Skoda?! Hmm, seems like its time you slowed down little bit during night driving.
	() Thanks

9th November 2009, 12:21	#20
Selective BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 305 Thanked: 109 Times	Distance to stop matters and not ABS You are 80-100kmph, only 15 ft distance to stop, and no place to maneuver! So, this equation will make it difficult for any car with or without ABS. I guess periodically checking the road clearance with High beam will also help. Drive safe!
	() Thanks

9th November 2009, 12:33	#21
jaaz BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Earth Posts: 661 Thanked: 636 Times	@paraskhurana - ABS will be mandatory on all Cars from April 2012. But, in the meanwhile, you can try our good old Bus Drivers and Jeep Drivers trick (Indian ABS). They pump the Brakes leaving a gap of a second or more.
	() Thanks

9th November 2009, 12:34	#22
sonirohit BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 321 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	IMHO - not only ABS but a sane sense of driving is also required. The max speed limit on most of the indian highways & expressways (Which are in very good shape - NH1, Noida GNoida E'way, DND etc) is less than 90 KMPH. on Highways like this you should not have been driving this fast.
	() Thanks

9th November 2009, 12:53	#23
SamuraiJack BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 175 Thanked: 145 Times	Your tires make a lot of difference, change to 175/80 14 or 195/60 15- see the difference, your will feel more confident on high speeds/braking/cornering. Since you have this car and its without ABS- it sure is a worthy spend to get good rubber
	() Thanks

9th November 2009, 12:59	#24
amohit BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 451 Thanked: 52 Times	Sorry to hear about it paraskhurana, but did I read 100kmph, dark and single lane road in the same paragraph? This was bound to happen. To get out of these you dont need ABS or airbags, what you need is grace of god and you had plenty of that! Welcome to t-bhp.
	() Thanks

9th November 2009, 13:02	#25
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	I personally find it a bit funny that everyone's saying 100 kph is unsafe etc etc. Agree with Esteem_Lover: With 15 feet (5m) - assuming a reaction time of 0.6 sec - even at 36 kph (10m/s) - the accident would've happened nonetheless before any braking. Its very easy for everyone here to wax eloquent on speeds but ultimately: a. Its an individual comfort decision b. Everyone speeds in real life. Some more, some less. Give Paras a break with the speeches, eh?
	() Thanks

12th November 2009, 16:49	#29
Ramsagar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BLR_Nellore(AP) Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 252 Times View My Garage	Trying to reduce the gear at that nic of a moment is not possible for everyone. Only few experience people with good reflex action can do that. pumping the breaks twice also could've helped but our mind is blank and have only option to slam the breaks as hard as possible. The best thing to upgrade your head lamps to higher wattage and never ever forget to wear seat belts. Never mind learn a lesson.
	() Thanks

12th November 2009, 17:00	#30
nairrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kannur Posts: 2,441 Thanked: 674 Times View My Garage	The ABS helps you to maintain full steering and directional stability when you brake heavily in an emergency, by preventing the road wheels from locking. The ABS does not releive you of your responsibility to drive with due care and attention. The ABS will not eliminate the dangers inherent when: -you drive too close to the vehicle in front of you. -you take corners too fast -the road surface is poor. Thanks
	() Thanks