Few days back, one of my good friends, working in a BPO met an accident and nearly escaped the death, while one of her colleague died in the same accident. The reason was overspeeding and Driver lost control. Today there was another accident involving BPO cab I witnessed, when one callcenter cab hit the biker. Anyone living around Delhi and NCR will know that these cabs often violate driving rules, While the government/Police do nothing to stop them. While there is a very simple solution to avoid all these accidents and save those lives. Why dont Govt. makes rule to make it compulsory to install Speed control Devices in all these commercial vehicle?
One can’t really blame the drivers; they are usually on 36-48 hour shifts. Add to this they usually have insane deadlines to meet, after all can you really make 8 pickups from different parts of Delhi in less than 2 hours and drive to office which is like 30-35kms from the first pickup point? That too in rush hour traffic, moreover the routes change almost every day and the driver most of the time doesn’t knows where a person lives and has to not only drive to the locality, but also find that persons house. The kind of stress they are usually under results over speeding and rash driving. Having worked in a leading BPO for a year I know how they function and how much they themselves know the risk they are taking, but they have to do it, every single day to earn money for their families. Who is it to blame for all this? The BPO companies, they know what is going on, but the only thing they want to concentrate on is making maximum profit.
Whatever the reason, rash driving can not be permitted. Ofcourse BPOs are responsible for all the mishaps. Govt should make and enforce strict rules to prevent these accidents. Speed Control devices will definitely help.
I spent 6 months in India a few years ago and travelled mainly by train, but did use a lot of buses, some of the driving over there was shocking to say the least. Up around Shimla/Vashisht/Manali these dudes were even overtaking on blind corners on mountainous roads with sheer drops on one side. It certainly was a crazy experience for me and I thanked god that I didn't die so many times that I almost became religious. I do think that the Indian drivers outlook is "if I die it was meant to be" or something like that, I have never seen driving quite like it and I've been to around 50 different countries worldwide.
The so called speed governors are also installed in buses in Delhi, how many buses have you seen being driven at a sane speed? These companies feel they can shield themselves by hiring contractors to provide them vehicles. Better option is to make them more accountable and punishable for their drivers conduct.
This is one of those rare occasions when I agree with you AGS Driving has always been a horrible experience in India, specially in Metros like Delhi. Speeding and rash driving is like nothing. I bet many drivers never care to stick with proper lanes. Least traffic sense I must say. (BTW I have heard that Traffic in NY is no better either ) Speed Control devices are in very few DTC buses. and I never seen any bus overspeeding that has such device installed, to tell you the truth. And ofcourse there should be rules to ensure that these company should follow the driving norms else just cancel their license..
Jesus Christ there's a first. Yeah I remember one drive we had on a coach, I think it was from Manali (Indian Himalayas) to Shimla but not 100% sure, man it was an insane journey. I remember on the drive up to Manali, it was the first time I have ever had to jump off of the bus on the side of the road and squat down and take a poo in full view of the entire bus because of the dreaded "Delhi Belly." Any westerners that have ever been to India will know exactly what I am talking about, our delicate western stomachs don't like the first 2 weeks. I always took Rickshaws in the big cities and had some hair-raising experiences there too, but some of those drivers are so nimble in them things.
Great vid! It is absolute utter chaos out there. As I said b4 the rickshaw driver are unbelievable how they weave in and out of traffic, sitting in the back you are buzzing, usually from all the exhaust fumes and the nimble driving from these dudes. The best part is haggling the fare with them before you get onboard as invariably they will always try and overcharge!
There can be no excuse for rash driving. Speed Control devices are a must. The trouble is the transport department is given to a contracter and these guys pay a lot of money to the BPO officials to look the other way. No wonder rules get flouted openly. The companies more often than not absolve all responsibilities in this matter. Once these companies are sued for a vast sum i guess things might improve.
Well, we cannot entirely blame the government. The drivers of the vehicles of the call centre's are over stressed. Sometime they have to work in an unshedule manner. I feel the company should take note of all this and come up with some rules.
Look pal, Everyone's stressed while working, but that doesnt give anyone right to kill someone. This is a collective responsibility of the govt. and the company. While company is bound to seek maximum profit out of everything. It lays on govt to ensure the safety of the people. if its failing in doing so, its failing. no excuse. Not only Cab drivers, blue line buses are killer too. Govt. is doing any damn thing? most certainly it doesnt. Its not that I expected a lot of things from Cong. Govt. but this is getting pathetic.