good motoring

Take charge of your safety
H. kishie singh

At the recently held student elections at the Panjab University, the police checked cars coming into the campus. The inspection threw up an assortment of weapons. Pick-axe handles, baseball bats, iron rods and even swords. Clearly, these boys had set out to do battle. There is no way that the ordinary driver, especially a lady, can put up a defence against these hooligans who are hell-bent on creating trouble. Chances are they will be high on alcohol or drugs or both. In another case, a 19-year-old girl was thrashed in a public market and then the three (three boys versus one girl) tried to pull-push her into the car in an attempt to kidnap or abduct her. There are instances of a car being forcibly stopped, the person inside being dragged out and thrashed. Think about the course of action, you should take to avoid a situation from getting ugly.Ladies should carry a pepper-spray in their handbag. Even the police recommend it. Learn how to use it. Practice, a first-time user is bound to fumble and this may give the attacker enough time to knock it out of your hand. You have lost the advantage of the situation.

We live in a big bad world and there are forces of evil around to harm you. In view of this, don’t panic. Stay cool. Look around you and in your mind, plan an escape route. If you are in a market, run into a shop. Take one thing for granted, no bystander is going to help. If you are in your car and nearing home and a car has been following you, do not drive into your driveway. Keep driving and head back to the market or a crowded place. Inner streets in sectors can be dark. Head to a well-lit area. You should have locked all doors, the moment you got into the car. Get into this habit even when driving around the city during the day.

In case you are waiting at a red light, a baddie with evil intent can open the off-side door and get into the car. What to do? Switch off the ignition and get out. There will be plenty of cars around you. May be some one will help. Chances are that police will also be at hand.

If you are on the move and the baddie keeps following you, stop where a police P.C.R. van is parked. The baddie will not stop, he will drive past you. Stay cool, you should have enough presence of mind to note the car's registration number. In case you are on a street wide enough for the baddie to come alongside, avoid eye contact or any signals. Even a friendly hand wave may be an irritant to the baddie and he may resort to violent action. Keep driving till you find help.

One point to consider by people who carry swords, base ball bats and the likes in their cars: If these are used, they become weapons of attack and can cause grievous bodily harm, it will then become a "pre-meditated" attack. This will invite a much more severe penalty. It’s best that you don't carry these items in the car. Stay cool and observe road manners. Happy Motoring!

HOME