Probe reveals that Chala blast occurred as the driver tried to overtake a speeding bus. But he claims he lost control when a truck from the opposite direction failed to dim its light. The incident brings into view disappearing driving etiquette

The freak tanker mishap and blast at Chala, in Kannur Monday night, that claimed 11 lives was blamed on the tanker hitting the road median while trying to overtake a
speeding bus.

But, the driver of the tanker who surrendered before the Kannur police on Friday, claimed he lost control of it as a truck coming towards him had very bright headlights and did not dim them.

If his story turns out to be true, the accident will be one more mishap caused by poor driving etiquette as a refusal to dim headlights, ignoring red traffic signals and so on have become a habit for many drivers on the city’s roads who don’t think twice before breaking every traffic rule there is.

“Poor driving etiquette is a big reason for many of the accidents we see,” says Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer, T.J. Thomas, who warns that accidents are bound to happen if drivers don’t dim their headlights at night as required.

Also, when honking is considered indecent in developed countries, drivers here cannot seem to get by without sounding the horn repeatedly.

“Indians are mostly selfish on the roads,” notes joint traffic commissioner of the state, Alex Paul.
“The Road Safety Authority is doing its best to create awareness about decent driving but it is impossible to reach everyone,” said Mr Paul.

“Developing these good habits is an individual decision. We can only keep our fingers crossed and wait for the next generation to develop better driving habits,” he added.

Experts regret that traffic rules are easily forgotten in this country as they are only studied for the examination needed for a driving licence.

Once the licence is obtained, the rules are ignored, they point out, regretting that although the state has been thinking of introducing traffic rules as a subject in schools, nothing has come of it
as yet.

“Only a few driving school professionals teach their students properly. We have been trying our best to create awareness among the trainers, but they are also helpless as most of the people approach these schools only to learn enough to be able to take the 8 and H tests,” says Mr Thomas, emphasising that traffic rules are there for citizens to practise and follow.

“This will not only ensure a safe and secure journey, but also make driving an enjoyable experience and not a tense one, riddled with fear about whether one will survive to see the next day or not, as it is today,” he adds.

Ask the traffic police and it says it is not easy to book a person for failing to dim the headlights or for overtaking on the wrong side as all this happens
in seconds.

The only solution then appears to be for everyone concerned to observe road etiquette, change their attitudes and show mutual respect for each other when driving, say traffic experts.

This not only means driving carefully and sticking to traffic rules, but also being a good samaritan and being mindful of the comfort of others on the roads, they maintain, adding, that a little courtesy on the roads is all that is required to make driving on them a lot safer.