India has the world's second-largest road network in terms of size. Additionally, it has the world's second-largest population. Hence, it is simple to understand why India has the greatest number of fatalities in the world due to road accidents. A significant portion of these fatalities happen due to bad roads, driver carelessness and a lack of knowledge of traffic laws.
Here are the 10 hidden reasons for increasing number of accidents on Indian roads.
1. Road potholes
Potholes are everywhere — not only in the city but even on major highways. Potholes tend to appear more often during rainy seasons or on roads with continuous vehicle traffic. At high speeds, driving over potholes may result in the vehicle overturning or tire bursts.
2. Wrong side driving
One of the most basic and straightforward laws of Indian driving is that drivers must drive on the left side of the road. Anyone with a half-brain cell is aware of this. It requires no effort; all you need to do is follow the traffic rule. If in doubt, ask someone.
Nonetheless, you will see stupids driving on the wrong side of road just to avoid a u-turn and save some time and fuel. Twenty-four individuals died in road accidents involving wrong-side driving in 2018.
3. Drivers who are unfamiliar with the concept of rearview mirrors
Numerous drivers and riders on two-wheelers drive or ride with their outside outer rearview mirrors folded. While the rearward vision provided by the inside ORVMs of vehicles is sufficient to check out what's behind, it eliminates visibility during a rapid lane change or turning. It is potentially dangerous for the riders or drivers behind.
4. Stray animals
The problem of stray animals roaming the roads often results in accidents. The possibility of a crash caused by stray animals increases considerably under poor visibility circumstances, such as fog or night.
5. Drivers who are continually using high beams
Certain accidents occur due to high beam. High beams of light blind drivers or riders approaching from the other direction. It may result in the loss of visibility, eventually causing an accident.
6. Overloaded and large vehicles
Numerous commercial vehicles transport loads that are much more than legally permissible limits by the RTO or exceed the vehicle's capacity. The braking power of such overloaded vehicles significantly reduces, reducing the driver's control over these vehicles.
7. Aquaplaning in the rainfall
It is a situation that occurs because of lack of friction between your vehicle's tire and road due to the development of thin water layer above the surface of the road. This issue is often seen during monsoons when the roads become very slippery. Any sudden braking or lack of grip caused by worn-out tires may make you lose control, resulting in a fall or accident.
8. Vehicles that broken down on the road
It is also a common cause of an accident, particularly while driving at night or on highways. A broken-down car parked beside the road may be invisible to the driver or rider due to the lower visibility. Such broken cars should park with their lights on or with a danger triangle behind them to alert oncoming traffic.
9. Reckless driving
Reckless driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances is common in India. We have seen multiple incidents where lives are lost due to over speeding vehicles colliding with other vehicles.
10. Tailgaters
Certain drivers and riders fail to keep a safe space between themselves and the rear of vehicle ahead of them. In the event of sudden braking, they tend to lose control and collide with the vehicle plying ahead of them. Such accidents happen normally during the night time, heavy rains, and fog.
We hope above article will help you drive more safely on Indian roads. Download CarInfo app to manage your vehicles and get all the updates from the automobile world.
