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My column 18-03-2024

My column 18-03-2024 As is my habit, I was watching a market channel to keep a watch on the stock market happenings. After all, money matters, right? There was a discussion on two wheeler electric vehicles. I learned that there is maximum demand for EV two wheeler in india in EV space. I have few concerns regarding two wheelers.

In my younger days I was also lured by two wheelers mainly because it was affordable at that time. As with everyone else, I took my usual tumbles with the two wheeler, but fortunately, nothing catastrophic happened. As income levels rose, I bought my first Maruti car, which had, sadly, no safety features. Again, I suffered one or two accidents, but, nothing catastrophic. Then I graduated to cars with airbags and I felt safer. Unfortunately, I still do not have car with six airbags.

With age comes wisdom. Now having surviveed to the ripe age of 65 plus club, I realised that I was lucky to live upto 65 years. I could so easily have my lost life driving two wheeler helmetless or a car without safety features like seat belts, airbags, abs etc.

First let me talk about two wheelers. Having travelled all over the world, especially in developed countries, I realised that very few people use two wheelers as a mode of transport. However, in india, it is the most preferred way of transport. Very few bother to use helmets. Helmet for a pillion rider is almost unheard of. In an accident, pillion rider is the most vulnerable. People just don't care inspite of aggresive campaigning by the government. If you open the newspaper any day, you will find atleast a few news items regarding death in two wheeler accidents. Two wheeler is a very unstable vehicle to begin with. With the current road conditions and heavy trafic, any small accident with a two wheeler can be fatal. Wrong side driving, not caring to wait for green signal and driving with three or four riders on a single vehicle adds to the risks. Everyday one hears of loss of life of some acqaintace due to two wheeler accident. But then who cares? We specifically urge our friends and neighbours to wear helmets when going out on two wheeler. But a common excuse is, No, not needed, we are just going round the corner, as if accidents do not happen near you home. Me and my wife, carry out our citizen's duty. It is upto them to listen, or not.

Let us now talk about four wheelers. These days, if you have a four wheeler, it is nothing great. But if you do not have one, then you have a problem. It has become a status symbol. A person, just starting his social life, first wants to buy a four wheeler. With the easy availabilty of car loans, it has become easier now. Still, he can only purchase a low level vehicle. A cheap model is selected and all optional safety features are first discarded. Mind you, since this is his first vehicle, he is more likely to be involved in an accident.

If I remember correctly, our government had announced some time ago that they will make it compulsary to have all the safety features like abs system and airbags in all entry level vehicles. But this would increse the price of entry level cars. This does not suit the industry and hence the proposal is not implemented.

In India, we do not value a human life. In a country of 140 crores, what if a few thousands die in road accidents every year? Who cares?

It is time, as responsible citizens, we wake up to these fact. We need to bring in a change in our social thinking. Let us do it.

Shashank Purandare 18/03/2024