Bengaluru: A tragic crash involving a Volvo XC90 near Bengaluru has sparked a significant conversation about the limitations of vehicle safety in preventing fatalities, especially when the roads themselves are unsafe. The incident, which occurred on the Nelmangala-Tumkuru highway, claimed six lives, including Chandram Yegapagol, the Managing Director and CEO of IAST Software Solutions, and his family. The victims, who were on their way to Sangli, Maharashtra, to visit Chandram’s father, also included his wife Gourabai, his children Gyan and Deeksha, his sister-in-law Vijayalakshmi, and Vijayalakshmi’s daughter Arya.
The Volvo XC90, known for its reputation as one of the safest cars on the market, was reportedly crushed by a container truck that jumped the highway divider. Arif, the driver of the truck, who suffered injuries in the crash, explained that he had swerved to avoid a car that suddenly braked in front of him. His attempts to stop the truck failed due to its heavy load, causing the vehicle to crash into a milk truck before striking the Volvo.
Arif, who was transporting aluminum at the time, has been charged with rash driving and causing death by negligence. He admitted to media outlets that he was unaware of the six fatalities caused by the accident, stating that panic braking in a heavy vehicle like his is particularly dangerous due to the vehicle’s weight and the difficulty of stopping it immediately.
While Volvo is renowned for its safety features, the accident has ignited a broader discussion on road safety and the limitations of even the safest vehicles in preventing fatalities when other factors—such as road conditions, driver behavior, and vehicle types—are involved. DriveSmart, a safety-focused social media handle, shared images from the scene and emphasized, “This pic is a reminder that being safer on the road is not achieved by a safer car alone. Safe Roads + Safe Driver + Safe Car: All three are essential for safety.”
The tragedy has led many to call for stricter regulations around road safety. Some social media users pointed out that while a Volvo can withstand multiple types of testing, it is impossible for any car to endure the impact of a heavy container truck. Others have tagged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, urging for stronger road safety measures and infrastructure improvements.
The crash also highlighted the ongoing issue of road accidents in India, which claim over 1.7 lakh lives annually, with a significant portion of victims being young adults. During the Winter Session of the Lok Sabha, Minister Gadkari expressed regret over the rising accident rates, stating, “When I attend international conferences on road accidents, I try to hide my face.” Despite his goal of reducing accidents by half when he took charge of the ministry, he acknowledged that the number of fatalities has only increased.
Senior police officer CK Baba confirmed the severity of the crash, stating that six cranes were required to remove the heavily loaded truck from the crushed vehicle before the bodies of the victims could be recovered.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder that improving road safety requires a holistic approach, where safe roads, safe vehicles, and responsible drivers all play an essential role in reducing fatalities and preventing such tragedies in the future.
Sources By Agencies
