This refers to the report, “Nalgonda jinx: At 164 km/hr, NTR’S son Hari dies” (August 30). Road accidents have claimed valuable lives ever since man decided to race against time. Ironically, good, broad roads with several lanes have not only made travel easy and comfortable but also super fast. The road authorities have succeeded in patches to put a brake on rash drivers through sign boards and speed breakers. But drivers, themselves, under the influence of alcohol, and by overlooking safety measures, put their own, and the lives of fellow travellers, at peril. Helmets for two wheelers and seat belts for four wheelers and above are two important protective tools. Nandamuri Harikrishna’s SUV crashed against the road divider, tossed 15-feet high and toppled over and dragged to a distance of about 20 metres.
The actor-turned-politician paid the price of his eagerness to cover 400-kms in four hours. Seat or safety belt acts as a primary restraint system by correctly positioning the passengers and reduces secondary impacts. In speeding vehicles, passengers virtually move at the speed of the vehicle. When the vehicle stops suddenly, passengers tend to keep moving until something goes against that motion. Seat belt can be an effective halting gear where its spring and spool work together to keep the belt snug along with the locking mechanism. Without the stopping mechanism, occupants will be thrown out like projectiles.