Nissan Formula 1: Safe driving is great driving.

What's your formula for great and safe driving? 

I have asked my college going son to ping me once he reaches college every day. That's to ensure he is safe and sound. That's also because Indian roads are bad and the way people drive, berserk. However, every time i think about it, i realise that our safety on our roads is in our hands. It is in the way we drive. In the way we think. And in the way we play safe, while driving.

Formula 1: Belt up/Helmet on!

It's not for any other reason that we have seat belt and helmet rule enforcement, except for our safety. The sooner we realize this, the better. But typically, how do we think? We don’t mind being penalized for a 1000 bucks if caught without the seat belt, but we still don't belt up. Human behavior is weird indeed. Does it take a fatal road accident in the family for us to imbibe the gravity of belting up? Ask yourself. If the answer is no, then go ahead and belt up.

Formula 2: Don’t lay the red carpet for the Lord of Death. . 

Speeding on an empty road feels good, but speeding on a full road and zigging in and out mindlessly is laying out the red carpet treatment for the Lord of Death. Everything happens in a matter of seconds. The end most definitely does. For those fond of speeding, race on the tracks.  Don’t drive on the roads.

Formula 3: Have a far sight. Practice defensive driving. 

I have seen many car drivers race right up and kissing the bumper of the car ahead and brake hard. Result? Bumps, dents, bends and heart cringing moments. Not to mention fisticuffs right on the road that create traffic jams. All of which is easily avoided, only if you practice defensive driving, like they do abroad in the West. You can gauge from afar what the driver/car in front of you is likely to do. You can 'sense' through your in-built (human) sensor. Use that so that you brake ahead of time and have a safe distance between you and the car ahead. If it is an emergency, follow Formula 1 above.

Formula 4: Go low beam

A low beam is good enough even on poorly lit roads if you drive slowly enough. Just to clear your vision and of the road ahead, flash the high beam for a second to understand the way the road curves or turns or to see the bumps. Then go low again. If you do, the car drive on the opposite side will send blessings your way and you will avoid mishaps. 

Formula 5: Respect the zebra as if you were a pedestrian 

Crossing on our roads for pedestrians is a nightmare. Put yourself in the walking shoes of a pedestrian especially when you are behind the wheel and stop with enough space between your car and the zebra crossing. The roads are not built for cars. Allow some space for the walkers. You will love yourself for it.

We all can be the Formula 5 types when we drive on our roads. It is up to us how fast we go for Formula 5.

The Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., conducts the Nissan Safety Driving Forum (NSDF) in India as part of its safety driving promotion activities. The program began as an annual activity in 2012. In its initial phase it covered three main Indian cities – New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai – and since then has gradually expanded to several additional cities across India.

This year, NSDF would reach 8 new cities – Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Vadodara, Nagpur, Chennai, Mangalore and Kochi. The overall reach and engagement levels have phenomenally grown and NSDF has effectively reached close to 2 lakh citizens. It continues to stay committed to its core objective of promoting safe driving behaviour in India.

Compared to the previous year, NSDF has witnessed an impressive 126% growth in the sensitisation of wearing seatbelts. In addition, NSDF also conducts live simulated experiences to understand how safety features function through a simulated car crash. A 360-degree turn over highlights the use of seatbelts, while sessions on road safety emphasises on road etiquette to stay safe.

Under its Blue Citizenship CSR umbrella, NSDF by Nissan works to build awareness of safe driving in India. NSDF encourages drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts, and participants learn through interactive activities the importance of wearing seatbelts.

Nissan seeks to support reducing fatalities and injuries caused by traffic accidents, and NSDF represents the company's commitment in contributing to young, vibrant and mobile India. https://www.nissan.in/innovation/NSDF.html