I kept honking at him but he did not bother to stop and apologize, let alone take responsibility for the damage done.

BHPian DocwithFiesta recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

In the last 3 weeks, both our cars have been damaged by reckless two-wheeler riders.

Yesterday evening (20/04/2024) at around 7pm, 100 meters from Atrium Apartments in Adyar, a two-wheeler ridden by a decent appearing educated guy (assuming by the appearance), while overtaking from the left and trying to navigate between my car and a parked car on the street in an extremely narrow gap, hit my car and damaged the front bumper.

I was behind him for about 30 seconds, following the incident, on that street while he was stuck behind the car in front of me and kept honking at him for the entire 30 seconds (while we both were on the move), but he did not bother to stop and apologize, let alone take responsibility for the damage done.

I could not recognise the bike make and model, nor do I remember the registration number (it was TN22 something), but if the biker is reading this, I want to say just one thing: SHAME ON YOU!

A similar incident took place in the first week of April when my father was driving the Fiesta on the ECR. A biker damaged the front bumper in a similar manner.

Now my question/concern about today's incident is: why don't people take responsibility for their mistakes? I understand mistakes do happen, but why run away? If you are emotionally or financially weak to accept the consequences of your mistakes, then why be so reckless on the road?

At the end of the day, I am left with 2 broken front bumpers.

Thanks for reading.

Here's what BHPian Arun_S had to say about the matter:

Same thing happened to me couple of months back, guy on an Activa trying to squeeze between the median and my car during peak traffic, his foot rest just took my entire front bumper.

He just escaped and didn't even have the courtesy to apologize.

I might be found a little rude, but of late, I see an increasing number of two-wheelers having an attitude towards cars like they have insurance/money to let them suffer.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Although the truck driver didn't stop, I was later able to track him from the dashcam footage.

BHPian Suryendu87 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A minor accident took place while my wife was returning home alone. A truck in front rolled back from a speed breaker, took out the left headlight assembly and left a deep scratch on the bonnet. The truck driver sped away but I was later able to track him from the above dashcam footage.

The owner agreed to reimburse expenses post-insurance claim as Hyundai says the headlight assembly will cost 43k (parts alone).

Insurance claim is registered and post-approval, the order will be placed as parts for Hyundai Santa Fe are never in stock.

She normally leaves much gap at higher speeds but was too close at this instance. A costly learning indeed.

As the part will take a minimum of 15-20 days to arrive, what precautions I can take to avoid damaging the LED high beam?

Here's what BHPian SS80 had to say about the matter:

Honestly, I feel the fault lies on both parties in that video, no minimum distance was maintained with the truck, my guess is the distance was less than a few feet.

The truck struggled to cross the hump in half clutch and he rolled back. Good that they agreed to pay some portion of your damage expense.

Here's what BHPian Suryendu87 replied:

Yes, she was too close to the truck and learned from this to never drive too close and have a buffer to anticipate what can go wrong.

Here's what BHPian LoneRidder had to say about the matter:

Indeed, it is a costly lesson. I think your wife wanted to overtake the slow-moving truck. She was too close to the truck.

Here's what BHPian Suryendu87 replied:

Not overtake but be on the right side as the road ahead has lots of potholes in the middle.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I took the car for a couple of long drives and I'm happy with its performance and handling but I'm not sure about the structural integrity of the SUV.

BHPian sabsubs recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Before dwelling on the specifics, I would like to inform people that I have fully recovered physically & mentally from the accident. My parents are fine.

Mahindra sent me an email explaining why the airbags did not deploy in response to my question about the airbags. I am posting a screenshot of the email here. The response may be tepid but I did not have any other way. I just wanted to complete the process and get my car back.

I did not go behind them because of my health issues (not related to the accident). There is no news from the other party involved in the accident. I showed the accident video to Mahindra's regional manager & the manager from the service center. I didn't want to hide anything since the video was widely shared in various forums after I posted the video here. Eventually, they would have seen the video in any one of the forums where the video was circulated.

When the car was in the body shop, the dealer helped us with a car on call and this helped us to go to the hospital for the injuries that we sustained from the accident. The body shop manager kept me updated whenever major repairs, such as the chassis or painting work, were done. The regional manager of Mahindra visited us once and the manager of the service center visited us frequently and informed about the work in progress and supported us.

Insurance claims went on smoothly and the body shop gave a bill for 2.9 lakhs. I spent nothing on my side, but when we took delivery of the car; they charged me 10k. I just wanted to get over it, so I paid the amount.

After the accident, I took the car for a couple of long drives and I was happy with its performance and handling. I am not sure about the structural integrity of the car since they had to cut a portion from the engine bay till the front portion of the car and they have welded the portion. Opening the hood reveals visible welding marks. I will upload a photo of the welding marks in my next post.

I am skeptical about the chassis because I believe that the body shop must have just repaired the old chassis. I have a question here. Chassis from the manufacturing plant will come with a new chassis number, right? Or is it possible to imprint the old chassis number onto the new chassis?

Here is the reply from Mahindra.

The day of the accident was a bad day. No one would expect two cars to be parked right in the middle of the road. I have been driving cars for close to 25 years and I have never met with an accident.

So I leave it to fate, it was bound to happen and it happened and there was no escape from it.

Thanks to everyone who showed their support here on Team-BHP.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Every time I leave my house (even on my feet), I fear something will happen. We need several high-profile road safety campaigns to bring some sanity to the roads.

BHPian bhargav_dave recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The last year or so (2023) has been absolutely brutal when it comes to road safety-related incidents with myself and those near me. First time in my life I met with a serious accident that shook me to the core. Several other serious incidents with colleagues in my own office (at least two colleagues with 6-month absences and life-altering operations), I think we are facing an epidemic related to traffic safety. The situation in my city is so bad that every time you leave your house (even on your feet) you fear something might actually happen.

Incident 1

Driving on the outskirts of Jodhpur, we were turning into an alley. A motorcycle driver who was driving at a very high speed could not control and rammed into the back of my vehicle. My car got damaged (rear bumper needed a change etc) and he received minor injuries (which was lucky).

Incident 2

During the Diwali break, we decided to go to MP. On the Ahmedabad - Indore highway we were cruising at around 80-100 when a car from the opposite side of the highway decided to make a turn, realised I was coming and froze in the middle of the road. My previous near miss that I reported here was also on this highway and on that occasion, I avoided hitting the vehicle by quickly steering away.

This time I had no time or space. I hit the other car head-on. I was in my Hexa and the other car was a Hyundai Aura. We did not receive any injuries except some whiplash as all were wearing belts. However, the driver and passenger in the other car were not wearing seat belts. They had some head injuries but luckily nothing life-threatening as I managed to slam my brakes really hard.

This shook me to the core as I just could not fathom how stupid someone be and how easily they could have lost their lives if I hadn't managed to slam the brakes or if I was nearer to the turning. The other driver was apologetic and the police asked me if I wanted to press charges. I was advised by people not to do that so I let it go. My car had to be towed back and I had to make alternate arrangements to continue on the holiday.

When I pressed him into what he was thinking, his response was "Maine Socha Aage wali gaadi nikal Gai to meri bhi nikal jayegi! (I thought if the previous car could turn I could also do that)". He did this on a national highway without even looking if there was a vehicle coming from the opposite side. He was a teacher at a local school. This made me think that we need stricter driving tests and much wider awareness campaigns. Affordability and improvements in quality of life (which are great things) mean there are an unprecedented number of drivers on the road now. Without proper training, we will see far more of this.

Incidents 3 and 4

Two colleagues in my office met with accidents where they were hit by cars while they were on 2-wheelers. Both needed 6 months of rest and several operations.

Incident 5

A relative in Jodhpur, while walking, was hit by an unmanned motorcycle and was left in a coma. Two kids (not sure if they had a licence) were performing a stunt and lost control of their motorcycle, which then hit my relative, he received multiple injuries - to his head, several fractures in both feet and so on. The kids had jumped off and were quite ok barring minor injuries. It has been 3 months and he still can't walk. This will have permanent effects on his quality of life. All this when he was actually walking!

There have been several high-profile incidents in Ahmedabad involving the deaths of multiple people and yet no awareness campaign or anything by the police here or at the national level. Just within 1km of where I live, I have read about several pedestrian deaths in the newspaper in the last 3 months or so.

These are not isolated incidents any more but a problem at an epidemic level. I have never felt unsafe like this ever before. I have been driving for 28 years and have driven in at least 12 different countries! I hope that someone in the authority will do something to take action. We need several high-profile campaigns about road safety to bring some sanity to the roads.

Wonder if those having influence in Team-BHP can play a role here?

Here's what BHPian mygodbole had to say about the matter:

I apologise up front, but we as a nation have the gene to "resist any rule/authority" embedded into our DNA.

Unless there are visible and punitive damages inflicted on the careless/negligent road users (and that includes pedestrians), the attitude is "Can I get away with it?".

Walk in almost any urban area of our nation for five minutes and we can see at least one (a) biker/rider with a kid up front, or (b) car driver with one hand cupping a phone.

So 'catching them early' in school is instantly negated on the way home. I have seen too many school buses with children, sometimes more than one, in the single seat up front, no seatbelts even for the school bus driver.

As Gadkari says, we neither fear nor respect the rules of the road. We are NOT law-abiding citizens, we are danda-fearing road users.

I gave up many moons ago and drive with the attitude: "This (any other driver/rider) plans on meeting me by accident (pun intended), take preventive measures." Despite that, collided with a cattle carcass some months back on a highway; no humans were injured but the car was damaged.

Drive safe and sane.

Here's what BHPian SS-Traveller had to say about the matter:

While there are many road safety campaigns and Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan efforts in progress in various forms across the country, run by both the government authorities such as the traffic police, RTOs and MoRTH as well as multiple NGOs, the focus is never to take dangerous and untrained drivers off our roads, nor to investigate and pinpoint fault in case of crashes. Whether it be the unknown cars and motorcyclists or the Aura driver, none will lose their driving licences due to these incidents (one cannot really call these 'accidents' since all were avoidable), and will continue to endanger themselves and others.

While you let it go to avoid great inconvenience to yourself, the police also let the Aura driver go without penalizing him or suspending his DL, even sending him for driver re-education (which does not exist in India anyway), despite the fact that he drove dangerously and was not wearing seat belts (both him and his passenger), and caused a crash. If the Aura driver or passenger had died, you would have been at the receiving end of legal and police harassment, without investigation regarding whose fault it was. In this scenario, the Aura driver will continue to drive in the same manner as before, despite any kind of road safety campaign anywhere.

In this situation, you need to do some soul-searching about whether you yourself could have done anything different to avert these accidents where you were involved and choose to drive differently in future. The Team-BHP Road Safety section is a treasure trove of threads that talk about safe driving. If you have any dashcam or other video recording of the incidents, it may be possible to analyse where you could have driven more safely.

Here's what BHPian Neil Roy had to say about the matter:

Kudos to you for accepting that we have a problem rather than blaming bad times, bad omen/karma or whatever comfortable solace denial can give. To be honest, I don't foresee any solution from the outside. We are a nation of a billion people who are ingrained in cutting corners, jumping signals, breaking minor laws, accepting that bribery is the only way etc, etc, etc. The reason is also simple. With such a population explosion, it is always survival of the fittest or the most adaptable one. Add opportunistic politicians to the mix and we have a cocktail of apathy and zero accountability. This is the truth.

The only way forward is what we can afford to be financially. Idiots on the road are not going to change. Better to buy safe vehicles, use seat belts even in rear seats, use branded helmets and protective gear etc. and while walking or using public places like malls, theatres etc, have situational awareness.

OT, I am an electrical contractor and trust me when I say that most of public places are built to a cost and there is only perceived safety, not real safety. Proper earthing which is mandatory for safety and discharge of leakage is only there on paper. Earthing has to be maintained every year which no malls or cine complexes or even housing societies do. I always educate my family about presuming that all metal parts might have electrical leaks which can be fatal, not touching any poles, not walking into puddles et al. Call me paranoid, but in a country of a billion people the govt is not going to be bothered about one less and the only people who will need me is my family and I owe it to them to be safe. Sorry if it sounds more like a rant.

Here's what BHPian HIGHWAY_PATROL had to say about the matter:

Absolutely agree with you that we need a revolution in raising awareness about safety on roads here in India.

I firmly believe that driving schools can and must play a significant role in that.

I have also often thought that school syllabus should include compulsory lessons on traffic rules and regulations.

I also believe that Team-bhp is already playing a great role in raising awareness on road safety. Wish more and more people, especially youngsters would read the forum pages and contribute to making our roads safe.

Thank you very much for raising this important and necessary topic.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

While police can access phone records, the process is difficult and requires a subpoena due to privacy laws.

According to reports, smartphones track everything from what a user says, writes, location and searches on the internet. However, the one thing they don't do is track crashes caused by drivers distracted by their phones.

Reports state that even a decade after governments cracked down on the dangers of using phones while driving, there is no definitive database on the number of crashes caused directly as a result of phone distraction. Experts even state that the current estimate is most likely understated and that accidents caused due to distracted drivers are rising.

As per NHTSA's data, between 2020 and 2021, car crashes increased by 16% from 14,400 per day to 16,700 a day. Also, in 2021, nearly 43,000 drivers died in a car crash - a 16-year high. The agency's data also shows that of the 377 fatal crashes, just under 1% were reported to involve drivers distracted by their phones. While just 8% of the 2.5 million non-fatal crashes involved the driver using a smartphone.

However, these numbers only include crashes wherein the police report specifically mentions such a distraction. Reports state that usually smartphone use while driving goes unmentioned because many times, the driver doesn't admit it or there is no witness to identify it. Also, while the police can access phone records, the process is difficult and requires a subpoena due to privacy laws.

David Strayer, a Cognitive Scientist at the University of Utah, states, "That analysis is expensive, and unless the police really think there is a criminal case, they don’t do it." He also added, "Unless someone fesses up to using the phone, the police don’t consider it to be a factor."

This, according to safety experts, makes the current data very unscientific and inaccurate. Jake Nelson, Director of traffic Safety Advocacy & Research for AAA, stated, "It’s almost certainly an underestimate because people don’t like to admit things like that." He added, "It’s very frustrating to me that we don’t have access to better data, especially now that we’re at a 16-year high."

The report mentions that while drivers don't admit the distraction to the police, they do admit it in anonymous surveys. As per data published in the Journal of Safety Research, 50% of drivers admitted to engaging in smartphone-related distractions in the last 30 days. Aimee Cox, a research scientist and a contributing author on the paper in the Journal of Safety Research, stated that people who use their phones downplay the risks because there is no clear database or information source to relate such behaviour to crashes & fatalities.

Strayer stated that phones are equipped with sensors and other tracking & surveillance technology which can connect the time of a car crash with the driver's usage at that time. However, "Your phone leaves lots of breadcrumbs, but nobody is looking at them," he said.

Source: NYTimes

Highway driving is like test cricket,it requires accuracy, knowledge, patience and planning the drive like a well planned innings.

BHPian chaitanyakrish recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

We very often observe that driving in Indian cities is stressful as everyone wants to outsmart each other in a never ending race and ultimately making everyone's drive risky.

Adding salt to the injury, with lack of adequate public transport, most people started using cars with poor driver training/education. We can get away from a minor crash in cities by not following the rules, but the same mistake on the highway could be disastrous.

Example, here we can see a driver reversing on a 80kmph speed highway.

What is the source of confidence for him? He might have done the same many times on city roads.

Somehow I feel, driving in our dense city traffic is spoiling the way people drive.

• No one uses indicators
• Squeezing and going
• Not checking blindspots
• Weaving
• Not yielding at intersections
• Not keeping safe following distance
• No Lane discipline
• Overtaking using road shoulder etc
• Excessive Honking and the list is endless

Our cities are where people should learn safe driving habits and save themselves on the highways,but unfortunately they're becoming breeding grounds of :

• Road Rage
• Impatience
• Tailgating
• Cutting lanes
• Excessive horns

Highway driving is like test cricket,it requires accuracy, knowledge, patience and planning the drive like a well planned innings.

Unfortunately, everyone is playing like T20 cricket and some are getting out.

We need to reduce excessive risk taking on highways. Unfortunately, the more times we encounter risk and get away, the more optimism bias creeps in and we attempt the same on highways and get caught by surprise.

How to develop good habits which can be life saving on highways?

• Use indicators even if no one is using
• Follow the proper MSM routine
• Plan your drive well
• Follow lane discipline etc

Share your thoughts.

Here's what BHPian SS-Traveller had to say on the matter:

I remember this incident from a couple of decades ago: someone who always drove an Ambassador in the city of Kolkata, and on the highways of West Bengal, in the 70s, 80s and early 90s, came visiting me in Delhi. Contextually, the streets of Kolkata and highways of West Bengal in those days were some of the most congested, and average speeds could be in the low 10s (kmph) or even slower. In contrast, Delhi had wide and smooth roads, no speed limits, and most importantly, very few cars compared to the capacity of the roads. I had a Maruti 800, and it was fun to drive at 80-90 kmph, or even faster.

That kind of speed left my guest a little terrified, and he asked me to slow down a few times. I handed him the wheel one day, and he wouldn't go past 40-50 kmph! He wasn't used to higher speeds. His conditioning was such that his senses weren't comfortable at higher speeds.

Today, everyone has been in a car that goes fast, so their senses are conditioned to move at 100 kmph and even more. Yet, when they start to drive (usually in a congested city), they are forced to drive slower (and often, in their quest to go faster, they cause accidents). Once out on the highway, they experience the freedom to fly - and they do. Except, no one has taught them the rules, told them how to control a fast, powerful vehicle, or explained the consequences of a high-speed crash.

When one gets one's driving licence by driving at 10-15 kmph, one is not qualified to drive at 100 kmph (or even faster, influenced by social media and friends). The practice of automated DL testing (Why automated driving licence testing in India produces dangerous drivers) is destroying whatever chances new drivers have, of acquiring some skills and knowledge before driving fast.

Here's what BHPian SiddharthR had to say on the matter:

I agree. There is a lot more risk when driving on highways. Driving in city traffic, while the chance of scratches to your car are high - it is very difficult to do something stupid enough to have a deadly accident. Highways on the other hand - if you aren't paying attention, it is very possible to lose your life

Here's what BHPian deathwalkr had to say on the matter:

It all boils down to a "I want to get ahead" mentality many of us have. Whether it be in a queue or on the road...rules be damned and safety be cast to the winds.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I asked the motorist if he was ok and then asked him why he didn't brake.

BHPian vamsi.vadrevu recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi All,

I've had the misfortune of receiving a dent and a few scratches to my beloved car today.

I'm thoroughly disappointed and sad about scratches to my car! I keep thinking if there was a way I could have avoided this. Perhaps I should have pilot braked before actual braking. I didn't think my braking was so sudden as to be considered as an emergency halt!

Should I claim insurance for these scratches? What would the cost be!

I know I should expect scratches and dents to cars in the city but this is heart-breaking!

I asked the motorist if he was ok and then asked him why he didn't brake! He said blandly that he braked but the vehicle didn't stop. I can however see in my own dashcam footage he was in fact accelerating while my vehicle was slowing down. He should have seen my brake lights come on!

Here's what BHPian jomyboy had to say on the matter:

That is so disappointing to see. I've had a fair few incidents with bikers as well albeit at slower speeds, so kinda got away with minor scratches. I think an FNG can get it done for a reasonable price without insurance. I have only used my insurance once for a Rs 30,000 odd job and had every other dealer quoting that repair while selling my car.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I was in no mood to act like a saint for this rogue. He may have never learnt a lesson but for sure he may realise that at times you just cannot get away with whatever you please.

BHPian paragsachania recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Absolutely impatient driving behavior:

This happened yesterday morning when I was on my way to drop my kid to school. From the dashcam clip, it is obvious that the driver of the Seltos is exhibiting extreme levels of impatience coupled with traits of a rash and negligent driver caring 2 hoots about whatever other vehicles are indicating with the sole intent to overtake one and all no matter what.Here's what

Regularly checking the mirrors always helps one identify such elements on our road. This one was no different. The way the Seltos overtook the Nexon, I was sure that he will for sure do the next obvious thing - Take a left turn at the T junction by driving parallel to the traffic that is assessing traffic before turning left. You can very well see that he did that too!

I was in no mood to act like a saint for this rogue. He may have never learnt a lesson but for sure he may realise that at times you just cannot get away with whatever you please. He didnt even spare the school bus that was planning to turn right at the railway underpass.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

My strategies to keep it cool:

• Drive a tough car. 95% of problems with idiots around you are solved. When I'm driving the 530d or Superb around Bombay (especially the haphazard suburbs), everyone + their dog + their uncle cuts me. No one gives me right of way. When I'm driving the tough Thar, 95% of all problems are solved. The same people + their dogs + cats + their uncles + aunties all give way. No one messes with tough cars. Driving the Thar in the city is a completely stress-free experience; driving the 530d in traffic is crazy because the level of craziness has gone up with Ubers, Olas, food delivery scooters, Rickshaws & an overall increasing number of vehicles on the road.
• Within the city, it's now fun to drive only very early in the morning, late at night, or off-peak hours on weekends (e.g. first half of Sundays).
• Meditate. Will increase your patience levels 10 times over. I hardly ever lose my temper now, compared to very frequently earlier. Strongly recommend the Calm App on iOS / Android. It will change your life personally, professionally & on the road.
• Play some good music, stay well-mannered on the road and fill your mind up with positive or productive thoughts. I do my best thinking when I'm behind the wheel.

Here's what BHPian sumeethaldankar had to say on the matter:

You're bound to come across an endless parade of these road warriors. To keep my cool when faced with such daredevils, I like to play a little mental game. I pretend the reckless driver is actually an ambulance speedster on a mission to save lives. As for those zippy two-wheelers, in my imagination, they're the dedicated kidney couriers, determined to deliver life-saving organs to the hospital in record time . It's my way of finding humor in the chaos of the road.

Here's what BHPian Rajeevraj had to say on the matter:

In general I have always been a sedate driver . Now a days, more than ever, I just let everyone go. With the kind of road rages seen over trivial matters and the absolute lack of driving sense, I feel it is better to just let these folks do what they want. It will catch up with them at some point. Everyone seems to be stressed and in a hurry and in a mode that 'Rules are for others'. Now a days you cannot even judge by the car or the person inside as to what pent up frustration they are coming on the road with. Don't want to be at the receiving end of it.

The one that really irritates me is on the highways when someone wants to overtake me but does not have enough relative speed or performance to execute it and wants me to make way so that he/she can go in front. This irritates me, If you want to overtake, you plan and overtake. Don't expect me to give way for you just because you want to go. In such cases I mostly just play dumb and act as if I don't see the car behind.

Here's what BHPian shancz had to say on the matter:

Agree with the views expressed and even more, coming from someone who recently did a trip with 3 senior citizens on the roads of Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in a 2016 wagonR. But surprisingly the most number of irritants that we're discussing happen to me in the cities.

So the "butch looks, road presence" works in the city and the mechanical benefits of a large and heavy SUV work on the highways.

Why are we even thinking of anything other than SUVs ?

Now I see the logic in Thar for city use along with the surging sales of the Scorpio family

Here's what BHPian swiftnfurious had to say on the matter:

For me, I see a massive difference in my driving style / patience with the genre of music I play while driving. Soft music makes me stop bothering what others are doing around, I drive slower and keeps me cool 95% of the time. With bass heavy / fast tracks, I drive faster and tries to pick a fight with someone who drives bad and tries to cut me off etc.

My observation is most of the new gen wanna be "SUV" drivers are the ones who think they own the road - especially with Creta / Seltos drivers, and the S-Presso occasionally joining the club as well.

Edit : While riding my CBR / Versys, there are these young ones in their Dios / smaller bikes who want to show off their riding skills - what I try to do is to accelerate quick (conditions permitting) to keep a distance + indicating what my bike is capable of. In most cases, the guys drop it there. For others who try to do it again, I slow down and let them have their victory. They usually lose interest after this.

In any case, I don't make an eye contact with such riders, it's a simple "I don't care who you are" attitude I give them - helps take care of such issues to a large extent.

Here's what BHPian Rajain had to say on the matter:

The message of safe driving is absolutely essential. Though I would say, not at the cost of life or some situation. I have come across multiple situations when people get aggressive even there is no space.

So many of us drive across the country and the one thing I start doing when I enter another state is that I notice how bumper scrapped/dented and/or lights broken the local car/SUVs are. This is a good indicator that people are hot tempered. This hot tempered means they will not hold back in scrapping past my car and will not hesitate in putting the blame on me/gathering some locals and making a scene.

Driving a big SUV absolutely helps. People, including the Uber/OLA breakneck speed guys generally keep some distance.

That said, there are no easy ways if there is a vehicle who is rash, will no stick to the lane and try to squeeze into every 2 inches of space that is visible/available. Sometimes the trade of is, let go - no problem, I would like to reach my destination with a smile. When I see some two wheeler with a mobile phone, I honk and keep a long press - at least he / she realises other drivers on the road are annoyed with that - and hopefully the person on the other side of his/her phone hangs up. This is particularly true for two wheelers. Imagine trying to hold a phone and have a conversation and guiding the two wheeler with one hand.

Close to a tractor, I keep my distance. Tractors, while slow, are not able to brake in a second and if they do, the wheels lock up. And remember there is no argument with a farmer (or a water tanker for that matter).

With a White Scorpio or a Fortuner, I keep some distance. Majority of these are politicians.

So, my approach is some basic profiling with some local knowledge combined with common sense.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

There are a lot of people that drive with their very powerful high beams on in the city.

BHPian Yesterdaysnews recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A part of this has been discussed at length elsewhere - with car lights getting more powerful, high beams are frustrating and dangerous - both oncoming and also from vehicles tailing.

I am from Chennai, and though traffic is much better off than most cities, increasingly more and more people drive with their head lights on - especially cabs and Tata Ace type vehicles.

I avoid Bangalore like the plague because of its ill mannered traffic but today I had to come into the city and drive for a few hours after sun down. There are a lot of people that drive with their very powerful high beams on in the city - much more than Chennai.

In tier 2 towns, most of the cars drive with high beams on.

Driving with High beams on when not necessary and in cities is a punishable offence under the MVA.

Could I propose Team BHP and BHPians spear head a movement including petitioning authorities to take action and curb this dangerous and frustrating menace?

I’d like to mention another group which really spear headed driving with out borders. The group, aptly named Drive Without Borders was instrumental in bringing BH registrations into force and otherwise also ended a LOT of hassling, especially in Bangalore where cops would hound out of state registered vehicles. Though the law says one can drive in other state for 12 months, Bangalore police would constantly hassle cars registered in other states and claim they could be driven in Karnataka only for 3 months. They’d ask for proof in the form of toll receipts, petrol bills etc. to show that the vehicle had entered within 3 months.

Drive without Borders was instrumental in ending this. They filed petition after petition, even met with Nitin Gadkari and other transport officials repeatedly and ensured Bh registrations were bought out, and also ended the menace of Bangalore cops collecting hefty amounts as fines and bribes.

Can we bunch together, pool in money and other resources and start a campaign to get police to legally enforce no high beam rules? And also to educate people - even those who are not on Team Bhp or have no knowledge of this forum to be not use high beams in the city, and to dim the lights in highways - both for oncoming traffic and also when tailing another car - even if there is no oncoming traffic?

Not only will this drive positive change and make Indian roads and cities safer and pleasurable to drive in, but it will also increase the credence of Team Bhp and the forums reach - taking this forum into higher heights than it already is.

We are the crème de la crème of drivers in India. We understand vehicles, engines, handling and driving manners better than a whole lot of drivers on Indian roads. Team BHP for many is the trusted source for reviews. The forum as we all know is well managed and each post and thread is meaningful, informative and powerful.

Let’s, please, now drive positive change. Let’s petition the government and authorities, file cases in courts forcing implementation, run eduction campaigns.

Let’s bring the pleasure back in driving. With increasingly good roads, educating people on how to drive with courtesy and manners is the need of the hour!

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan had to say on the matter:

I am all for it  not aware of the processes involved but more than happy to contribute in any way possible to this cause. One major aspect is that people are not encouraged to keep check on their visual health. Many people who require glasses go on without wearing them and then use high beams to compensate for their poor vision. Heck people from less fortunate bits of society even think it is dangerous to treat their vision impairments. I had a house help lady who had cataracts and we offered to pay for her surgery and recovery yet her family advised her against the procedure because they were afraid.

If we can bring about change in this area it would be huge because that will be the first step we take toward having more considerate drivers on our roads.

Here's what BHPian svsantosh had to say on the matter:

Just like bad road manners (lane change, honking, speeding), I feel the HIGH beam issue is also right up there as top-5. I have been shot gun in many cars in my life just you many of you here. Be it private taxis, uber, olas, family friend car, co-worker car, both inside and outside India.

You may find it hard to believe that many of the usual high beam (ab?)users are sadly from my Indian friends circle. And problem is more to do with ignorance than arrogance. I have corrected all high beam users, at least raised an objection whenever I make out the car is on high beam. You wont believe their 1st question - "Aare, how did you know I was on High Beam?" Face Palm! Right? Wrong - It just takes a few seconds to educate them about the blue indicator in the dash console and they understand it and immediately correct themselves. Yes - there are the usual arrogant ones where Law has to play its role, but many abusers I have dealt with (so called educated and civilized own car owners) who genuinely think the 'Blue' indicator means the 'Light' is turned on. The dont know that one has to drive in low beam always.

PS - I wonder at times, why make high beam lighs at all!! Our roads can be a better place to drive without them...

Here's what BHPian electric_eel had to say on the matter:

When I moved from Kanpur to Kerala I was pleasantly surprised to find that many here actually dim the lights when they find an on coming car and sometimes all that one needs is a simple flashing if they forgot to switch back (of course there are some black sheep out there). On the other hand many do not know that one needs to use low beam even when following a car. I have found that an otherwise well driven car (no tailgating, no honking etc) often forget to switch of their high beam. As with tailgaters I start deploying my "pehele aap" strategy but some of them are too polite and respond with "nahi pehele aap" .

Plus there are those two wheelers with I guess modified lighting whose lights are painful even on a slightly cloudy days. They are the worst.

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

I think a lot of this is because low beams are absolutely terrible on most cars. Secondly, as we generally do not have the culture of cleaning our cars ourselves, the front windscreens go dirty. Especially on the inside. That just kills visibility at night. Pushes people to use high beam to see better.

Here's what BHPian SanjuNair5 had to say on the matter:

Part of the issue is, that's how most newbie drivers are taught. I know a few friends and colleagues who were taught by driving schools to drive with high beam and switch to low beam only when necessary! And many of the wrong habits called out on several threads on TBHP are taught or not taught to avoid at driving schools.

That also brings me to a couple of questions that are relevant to this thread;

• Are driving school instructors certified? Is there a program/course/something that certifies instructors for teaching/coaching others?
• I see most (if not all) of the driving school cars carry black font on white background number plates. Shouldn't they be yellow plates?

Here's what BHPian Kosfactor had to say on the matter:

Your call to improve road manners is certainly a good initiative.

Imagine yourself being a new driver learning to drive, you have to deal with the controls, the traffic, you get scared of vehicles approaching you, cutting across you, people jumping in front of your vehicle from nowhere, you get scared of people honking at you, yelling at you , all kinds of things. But in time you develop the skill and patience (hopefully) to navigate through it all.

Perhaps you may also want to look at this from a personal well being perspective than a road \ traffic behavior issue. At a personal level it would be the fastest path to a peaceful experience on the road.

Here's what BHPian sam800 had to say on the matter:

People's mentality is the biggest reason of all. I have seen people parked their vehicles on road side with headlights on high beam and they're either having snacks or chatting or just waiting for someone.

I've lost the count how many times I've fought with my father when i switch to dipper headlight when required and I would get scolded for doing so. For him, lights will be in upper position no matter what. He says "khudko dikh nai raha aur dusro ko dikhana hai" ( you aren't able to see that well far ahead in dipper and you want to let others see well).

Once i wanted to install projector headlights in my Pulsar and went to a FNG for the same. The ballast wiring was such, the stock up-low switch couldn't work and seperate switch was needed for same. I asked the mechanic to install a seperate switch, else headlight would be permanently on upper. He said- leave it na bro, the person in front will feel lights on his eyes, why you bother? Needless to say, i got installed the switch anyway.

I take my infant on his stroller for walks in night with my pet dogs. I often see cars with headlight on upper, coming towards us and not caring enough. I have to either turn my back towards the car so as to protect myself and my kid from glare, and if car is stationary with headlights on, I knock & ask them to put their lights on Dipper.

These headlight maniac people are snatching away the joy of driving in the night without headache. My 2 cents-

1. install a laminated film on windscreen of your car, it reduces the headlight glare to a good extent. You'll happily drive the car in highways in night.

2. Wear an anti glare spectacles of better quality.

3. If possible, like struck in traffic and the car at your tail is firing their headlight at full power on all 3 mirrors, just get out and ask them politely to switch to dipper. There's no need for upper when you're struck in bumper traffic.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I was trailing this truck with protruding goods on a local road, loaded with metal frames for stage support and bamboo poles that have sharply cut ends.

BHPian anajan_c2007 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

“In the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, an erroneous proviso Rule 93( 8 ) allowed the plying of vehicles carrying protruding loads on roads upto one metre,” says Save LIFE a NGO taking up societal issues. In 2013, the NGO filed a petition in the Apex Court to strike down the provision and implement a ban on vehicles carrying protruding cargo. The proviso Rule 93( 8 ) has ever since been struck down by the Apex Court.

Despite a blanket ban on carrying of protruding and dangerous materials beyond the body frame, various vehicles including trucks, tractors and animal-pulled carts and others are openly flouting rules on city roads, National as well as State highways under the nose of concerned authorities.

I was trailing this truck with protruding goods on a local road, loaded with metal frames for stage support and bamboo poles that have sharply cut ends.

Such illegal portrusions go unnoticed in most cases by the law enforcers. Since decades, we have noticed deaths and injuries of occupants in trailing vehicles hit by such protrusions. Windscreens of cars have been ruptured and steel rods have penetrated into cars, during low visibility phases and have either injured or killed the passengers.

Such acts by law violators are barbaric and they need to be booked under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and also under criminal provisions of the IPC.

Here's what BHPian Roadie9 had to say on the matter:

Thanks OP for opening discussion on this very important topic here. This practice is prevalent through out the country with law enforcers hand in glove with the offenders.

While a regular citizen like most of us will be harassed to hell even for smaller things which are not life threatening, these protruding cargo somehow become invisible to the law enforcers - that too, on major highways crossing several checkpoints.

When I see these on roads I feel sad that from road safety perspective we are still 50 years behind the norm.

What shocked me recently on a few occasions were large industrial cargo of extra wide nature also being carried out without any lights on any sides just giving out a dark silhouette that is easy to miss in night.

It is bewildering to see some intercity busses with all the bling and 100 lights across their body panels, with a truck crawling by their side with absolute zero demarcation of its physical boundaries.

Its sad that our very safety pushing ultra vocal minister never comes up with any thoughts on these matters. Is having 6 airbags (or even 2) in all cars more important than having a tail light on every single vehicle on road?

Here's what BHPian d.w.w had to say on the matter:

Its hard to judge the amount of protrusion when the poles/rods are parallel to the road. Usually people tie a piece of red cloth or sack at the end of the pole to warn people behind about it, but in this case that is missing too.

From the transporters point of view, carrying it on smaller trucks will be economical for them. They will have to spend extra for a bigger truck, so they will get the smallest one that can fit the cargo and happily bribe the police if caught. Win-win for everyone involved.

Here in KL, you can see passenger autos carrying such cargo. The minimum charge for a goods auto as I understand is 500 to 1000 rs , so people pick passenger autos to carry GI pipes/PVC pipes/plywood and tie the cargo on top and transport it for about 1/4th of the transportation cost. Imagine hiring a truck to carry a small number of pipes just to avoid protrusion - doesn't make sense. Could be another reason why why law enforcement let it go.

Here's what BHPian ashis89 had to say on the matter:

A couple of weeks ago, I was on NH16 and it was 5 in the evening with enough daylight. Somewhere after Nellore, I see this tractor trolley loaded with tree logs. The logs were placed horizontally, protruding 5 feet outside of the trolley on each side. Effectively, the tractor needed two lanes for itself. And it was cruising merrily like no one's business.

Between Nellore and Guntur, I must have spotted more than 15 such specimens hurtling down the dark highway without any taillights. 3 of them were coming towards me, along the wrong way with couple of high beam lights telling me of someone approaching until they're close enough for me to see their load. Now imagine such a contraption going on a single undivided road.

Trucks with big nets on their loading bay and overflowing with coconut shells is another common sight on the highway. And those carrying cotton in a similar manner. They can easily block 1.5 lanes and keep you guessing about what's ahead.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:

This auto is transporting some kind of plastic scrap, I have no idea how it was loaded and how it would be unloaded!! One of those bizarre sights you catch on our highway.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.