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Is it a misconception or an accidental similarity with the word “rear” that a predominant section of vehicle riders do not understand the significance of a rear view mirror of an automobile and has merely become a “rare” view mirror?
In general, it is mandatory for any rider to be able to gauge the traffic behind him so that he can veer the vehicle this way or that without causing much trouble to other vehicles. But today, it has become mandatory to remove the rear view mirrors of two wheelers in order to take the vehicle from under gated railway lines. And the four wheelers open them only on highways to protect from breaking them in the heavy city traffics.
All in all these mirrors have become appendages more than useful utilities for safer travel. We see more often than not, youngsters using these mirrors (the remaining lot) for their cosmetic purposes. God knows when people realize their traffic sense!!!
Moreover, it has become a common practice for riders to turn their heads for a signal rather than using blinkers or hand signals. This led to at least eight accidents for which I stand witness, and three of them fatal. I am talking about only a single man’s experience here. Who knows the real number of accidents actually occurring just because of this one reason – lack of traffic sense?
The licensing authority (Road Transport Authority) should carefully look into this aspect if they want to control the atrocious driving habits of the so-called citizens. Here, in a few places, we only need to drive in a designed “EIGHT” road to pass the test. And I personally know a few guys who clear this even without driving. The cities definitely have a better track to clear, but is this sufficient to understand the driver’s driving ability in traffic? I seriously doubt this.
Why can’t we take a leaf out of the US licensing authorities where every applicant for license goes through stringent driving rigors to pass the test?
In general, it is mandatory for any rider to be able to gauge the traffic behind him so that he can veer the vehicle this way or that without causing much trouble to other vehicles. But today, it has become mandatory to remove the rear view mirrors of two wheelers in order to take the vehicle from under gated railway lines. And the four wheelers open them only on highways to protect from breaking them in the heavy city traffics.
All in all these mirrors have become appendages more than useful utilities for safer travel. We see more often than not, youngsters using these mirrors (the remaining lot) for their cosmetic purposes. God knows when people realize their traffic sense!!!
Moreover, it has become a common practice for riders to turn their heads for a signal rather than using blinkers or hand signals. This led to at least eight accidents for which I stand witness, and three of them fatal. I am talking about only a single man’s experience here. Who knows the real number of accidents actually occurring just because of this one reason – lack of traffic sense?
The licensing authority (Road Transport Authority) should carefully look into this aspect if they want to control the atrocious driving habits of the so-called citizens. Here, in a few places, we only need to drive in a designed “EIGHT” road to pass the test. And I personally know a few guys who clear this even without driving. The cities definitely have a better track to clear, but is this sufficient to understand the driver’s driving ability in traffic? I seriously doubt this.
Why can’t we take a leaf out of the US licensing authorities where every applicant for license goes through stringent driving rigors to pass the test?
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