A scooter rider survived a dangerous encounter with an HGV in Kuttikol, Kerala, and it once again showed that we must improve road safety measures and better visibility systems in large vehicles.
The scooter rider could have easily been killed by the heavy vehicle when he came close to the vehicle. The exact sequence of events is not well understood yet, but the rider escaped without any serious injuries.
Witnesses described the incident as a close call with the scooter narrowly avoiding getting stuck under the much bigger vehicle. The incident has also drawn attention to the risks of trucks, buses, and other heavy commercial vehicles’ blind spots and the blind spots in general.
Researchers say that heavy commercial vehicles have much larger blind spots than smaller vehicles, and therefore, it can cause a challenge for drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler riders in the front, sides, or rear of the vehicle. Such visibility issues contribute to many road accidents every year because of these visibility issues.
After the incident, road safety advocates have revived calls for the introduction of advanced safety technology on heavy commercial vehicles on Indian roads, as new technology must be made mandatory for heavy commercial vehicles operating on Indian roads as well.
The best recommendations are reverse cameras, parking sensors, and front windshield blind-spot mirrors. These could greatly enhance the field of view of a driver and find road users that could otherwise go unnoticed.
Reverse cameras give drivers a clear view of the area behind the vehicle when reversing and decrease the chance of collisions. Parking sensors give sound or visual warnings of objects or people near the vehicle, and blind-spot mirrors placed on the front windshield help them to see the areas immediately in front of the vehicle that are not always visible.
Technology cannot prevent accidents, experts say, as well. Driver training, strict adherence to traffic rules, regular vehicle maintenance, and increased awareness among drivers are also essential in preventing road mishaps.
When two-wheeler riders are near heavy vehicles, they should avoid sitting too close to the front corners and rear parts of the vehicle, where visibility is poor. Keeping a safe distance and ensuring that the driver can see the rider clearly can also prevent collision risk.
A scooter rider had a narrow escape after a close call involving a heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) in Kuttikol, Kerala.
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The incident highlights the importance of equipping all heavy commercial vehicles with reverse cameras, parking sensors, and front windshield blind-spot mirrors… pic.twitter.com/Y8PZs3fM9B
Transportation authorities have repeatedly stressed to drivers in past years that they recommend drivers should be especially careful when driving near trucks and buses, especially at intersections, during turns, and while overtaking. Defensive driving can also prevent accidents despite the challenges of traffic situations.
Fortunately, in this case, the scooter rider escaped with no serious injuries, avoiding what could have been a tragic road accident. This is an early reminder of the benefits of investing in safer vehicle technology and a reminder of the need for responsible driving by all road users.
The increasing road traffic in the country is keeping experts confident that a combination of modern road safety equipment, more rigorous road safety regulations, and the public’s awareness will be the main driver to help reduce accidents involving heavy commercial vehicles and to protect vulnerable road users.
