Reckless high-speed bus drivers. Insane or Skilled?

A typical example of a skilled driver driving too dangerously. From overspeeding to zero lane discipline, ignoring barricades to steering too close to two wheelers.

BHPian adorablejim recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am not sure whether to post this video in a public forum like this. However, I am hard pressed to publicize this video as a protest to such irresponsible driving. A typical example of a skilled driver driving too dangerously. From overspeeding to zero lane discipline, ignoring barricades to steering too close to two wheelers; such rage should be considered as Culpable homicide.

I used the word skilled because he has a thorough understanding of how the vehicle behaves, its performance and how various systems incorprated to such modern machines aide his driving. Nevertheless none of these abilities justify this manner of driving.

Lets have an open discussion

(source : Travel with Subhajit 2.0)

Here’s what BHPian mygodbole had to say on the matter:

Something my guru, who taught me how to correctly ride a bike at high speeds (circa 1982-84, yes Yamdoot 350), said to me: You may be an expert and can avoid a crash. Think, is the other person is equally skilled? Can he/she/they avoid crashing into a third party?

Here’s what BHPian –gkrish– had to say on the matter:

I hope his skill doesn’t kill anyone. His DL needs to be revoked before anything untoward happens. Absolutely reckless driving with no concern for anybody’s lives. His mannerisms are also odd. I do not think anyone would be surpised if he is found to be on some sort of drugs.

Almost the entire stretch of roads shown in the video have sufficient width to allow smooth flow of traffic. Lane hoggers and reckless drivers like this guy here are the ones who make it dangerous.

It seems road infrastructure is not the primary problem with Indian roads.Only hefty fines and imprisonment can improve our driving awareness and culture. Those barricades are a stupid idea and seems to defeat the purpose if those were put in place for road ‘safety’.

Here’s what BHPian revvharder had to say on the matter:

There are a few such videos I’ve seen, and even I wanted to post one, but I wasn’t sure whether I was wrong or they were. And i’ve finally come to a conclusion and I think it’s insane that his license hasn’t been suspended, some might call it skill.

I call it sheer dumb luck, why, you can see he is bullying his way on the road, one can clearly see vehicles moving out of his way and what would you do seeing a bus in your IRVM overspeeding and aiming towards you. We have got expressways and highways like other developed countries but drivers are still the same, driving tests are still the same.

Eventually, his luck will run out and he will be responsible not only for risking his own life, but also for other people’s.

I also came across another youtuber named Mechanical something where he drove through the narrow roads of village at high speeds and comment section was appalling, people were praising him for his skills and were commenting how they would want to drive like him.

If you’re a driver like this, my only suggestion is to post more videos so authorities will find you easier and suspend your licenses and if you have skills then book a track day for your vehicle and when on public roads leave such skills at home.

Also, if someone is on the fence whether these youtubers/drivers are right or wrong, I would ask you one thing, if he were in the US, could he drive like that and get away with it?

Here’s what BHPian fhdowntheline had to say on the matter:

Just goes to prove that we are an immature automotive society as a whole. It is only because of our new found wealth status (since last 20 years) that we are able to flaunt our so called prowess. It will take a few decades more for people to be enlightened enough to inculcate discipline. Or may be as someone said, we like to be in an organized chaos so we will never be able to achieve that self-discipline.

Here’s what BHPian generaljazz had to say on the matter:

This isnt skill, its just plain reckless. Look at how the driver stares down the vehicles that took more than 200 milli seconds to make way for him!

I sincerely hope no one from KSRTC sees this video, they’d pay a kings ransom for this guy!

Here’s what BHPian SS-Traveller had to say on the matter:

It’s difficult to generalize about all bus drivers in India based on this one video. While this bus is certainly driving recklessly and at speeds well over the designated speed limit, the confidence that no penal or disciplinary action would be taken against him lets him drive like that. Add to it the facts that

• he is driving against the clock to reach his destination within a very short time;
• the passengers like this videographer egg him on to drive like that, for the thrill of it;
• the bus has no speed limiter;
• buses like the Scania and Volvo can perform in an outstanding manner, bettering the acceleration and braking ability of many LMVs;
• the driver isn’t held responsible for accidental damage to the bus, nor does he pay for it out of his pocket;
• he gets paid more for a greater number of trips per day…
• …and we know the reasons why many Indian bus drivers drive like they are on a racetrack.

OTOH, the Volvo / Scania / Mercedes buses that ferry foreigners between Delhi – Agra – Jaipur are some of the most sedately and well-driven buses that one can ever see on our roads. The passengers there would not tolerate any form of compromise to their safety, they pay well, and their blacklisting such a bus operator would mean a huge loss of revenue to the bus fleet owner! Indian concepts of safety, especially road safety, are very different from those of people from First World countries.

Keyword: Reckless high-speed bus drivers. Insane or Skilled?