They became a celebrity couple with many catching their itinerary wherever they travelled in India and abroad. It is a relief that Pawandeep got discharged after undergoing major surgeries on his two legs and a hand, besides recovering from other grievous wounds. This accident became a prelude for this writer to pen a few thoughts on how cars (mostly called LMVs) get involved in rather avoidable accidents. According to reports, the driver dozed of,f leading to a crash with a truck in the front.
A stern warning should be given to all drivers and those who hire them about driving on the Highways at high speeds. For all politicians worth their salt, celebrities, VIPs, and VOPs (very ordinary persons), it becomes imperative to hire drivers carefully. The antecedents of the drivers should be thoroughly checked before hiring them every month. Those who hire them through apps there should have no problem since the app guy is responsible for the verification of the driver’s credentials. Of course, credentials alone do not matter; rather, the very chemistry in them needs to be looked into. Those who drive themselves (celebrities like NTR’s son Harikrishna, to cite an example, who died in a car crash) should be all the more careful, but from my experience, I found they rarely get involved in accidents, barring some exceptions like the example mentioned above.
Extra care should be taken to ensure that the driver takes adequate rest with sound sleep before he is made to drive. Don’t starve or get him dehydrated. The present-day cruise cars are well equipped with sensors that detect whether the driver is drowsy to alert him and, if that happens, persuade him to halt at the nearest resting place, even if it happens to be under a tree at a safe place. Give him/her a power nap for 15-20 minutes before he resumes driving. Let him drive 5 to 10 km less than the prescribed maximum speed and not above it before he gets ticketed with speed guns. The person sitting by the side of the driver should be equally awake and alert and not doze off just because he or she is not driving. Many times, such people save the drivers from major accidents. Keep the driver engaged in conversation but not diversion, or keep his feel-good hormones active with the music he likes at harmonious decibels and not too loud.
Day driving is advisable because one is not sure whether the other motorists have had enough sleep during the nights, if one prefers nocturnal driving like heavy vehicle drivers do so with fewer vehicles and less traffic on the road. Pawandeep’s driver dozed off because of a lack of sleep during the day. Self-owned car drivers should stop at dusk and resume at dawn, preferably, and as a matter of general advice. Driving at intervals of 90 to 120 minutes would make the body flexible, and stretching muscles at such halts would do good for drivers. A no more than ten-hour drive, including the halts, should be ideal for a safe and hassle free journey. Not exceeding 12 hours, even if we go by the standards of Narayanamurthy of Infosys.
Last but not least, pay your drivers well and keep them happy, which matters a lot and keeps them motivated to see that you reach safely, on time, and happily too. Treat them equally, if not going out of the way in the name of pampering them. A driver deserves respect and encouragement to read instead of watching continuous YouTube trash. Don’t spare such drivers who talk on the cell while driving or are callous about the safety belt or sitting posture or bare-chested driving just because it is unbearably hot. During night halts, ensure that he is provided with good accommodation to rest, as that helps him to drive efficiently and safely the next day.
Give him knowledge, wisdom, along with some good life lessons. His loyalty would grow, and he would become a part of your family. One can see trusted drivers not leaving their employers for decades, and if not, they get recommended to other good employers.
