However, it is on the roads that a normally docile, law abiding citizen gets transformed into a speed fiend or a tad careless about concentrating on driving. The car manufacturers, on their part, have been making special efforts to increase the safety features with every succeeding model. Most of these vehicles are easy to drive and so smooth that one would not notice the speed. The brakes also do their job superbly. Most of the time it is the fault of the nut behind the wheel, who, in his air-conditioned cocoon, feels he could do 120 Kmph on roads built for barely 60 Kmph.

If the driver’s Karma prevents him from wearing the seat belt, you should see his alacrity

in putting up pictures of Gods on the dashboard or tying sanctified threads or cloth on the steering wheel or any other charm to ward off the evil eye. But when it comes to the crunch, it is his alertness that saves lives.

Refusal to take any safety precaution like seat belts is a trait peculiar to Indians. The seat belt is the only restraint that prevents people from flying out of the windshield in the event of a crash. At least, it gives some time to God to think if you are worth saving. The same goes for those idiots who cut lanes at will, try to take short cuts through contra-flow situations and other stupid acts.

Most of these stuff one could find in any primer for safety. But it is time that all of us woke up to reality and not try and meet our maker before our time is up.