Accident and the Lessons

A few days back while returning home from office, I happened to witness an accident on the road between a Honda Civic car and a 220CC Pulsar. The Pulsar guy fell on the road and was not willing to get up in spite of the passersby helping him. I suppose nothing serious happened other than a few bruises. The Civic guy was more concerned with his car and instead of helping the fallen Pulsar guy he was examining his car for damages and shouting at him for riding the bike rashly.

I remembered the accident I had almost an year back, which was a lot more serious than this one. I was riding pillion on the bike. We were going fast I suppose and at a junction a Tata Sumo coming faster than us from the right hit us. Nothing happened to my friend who was riding the bike. I suffered multiple fractures on my right leg. I have a rod and four screws in my right leg that the doctors then said can be taken out after two years.

The accident did the following things to me:

• A very active person like me was forced to lead a sedentary life.
• Even to go 100 metres I use my scooty PEP+ , as walking is very painful.
• For the first time in my life I remember being completely dependent on others for the first fifteen days after the accident.
• I am afraid to use my car as I think it will be difficult to put the brake and accelerator with my right leg.
• Going for treks and aerobics that I used to do before the accident now remains a distant dream.
• I started counting my blessings. At least I could take the rod out after two years. I did not have to amputate my leg.
• I became more optimistic. I still remember the first time I walked without support after the accident. It was a big victory for me. Now, after a year, people seeing me walk will not realise I have a rod in my leg.

My accident made me put together the following safety rules on the road that I mention to first time drivers/riders and people who ride rashly:

• Always go slow at junctions.
• Never turn the road into a race course.
• Do not take unnecessary ego hassles on the road.
• Be cool and level headed once you take the drivers/riders seat.
• Speed thrills but kills.
• Better late to reach the destination late than reach the destination never due to rash driving.
• Lane driving is sane driving.
• Always horn before overtaking.
• If you want to go left and there is a vehicle in front of you do not overtake the vehicle and go left because the vehicle in front might be going straight. I have seen a lot of accidents take place because of this.
• If there is a bigger speeding vehicle behind you, give side and let it pass.
• Never sit in the drivers seat if you consumed alcohol or allow anybody who is drunk to drive.
• Use the indicators for turns and even if you want to change the lane.
• Concentrate on the road while driving.
• Use the rear view mirror to check vehicles behind.
• Know your vehicle well and the braking time required for your vehicle.
• Keep proper distance from the vehicle in front and also from the vehicle at the side while overtaking.

If these rules are followed almost all accidents can be prevented. Even if somebody else is driving rashly you can follow these rules and save yourself. Remember that there are people who want to see you alive. At least for their sake drive safe.