MLA Vallabhaneni Vamshi from Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, was involved in a high-speed crash within his convoy. Three cars collided with each other, and a Mahindra Scorpio Classic, part of the convoy, crashed into the rear of a Tata Harrier. Fortunately, everyone in the convoy emerged unharmed, without sustaining any injuries.
The accident occurred around 10:30 AM when the politician was traveling from Vijayawada to Hyderabad in a three-car convoy. According to reports, the Tata Harrier, leading the convoy, abruptly applied brakes and slowed down as the driver noticed another vehicle crossing the road. Subsequently, the Mahindra Scorpio Classic following behind the Harrier crashed into it.
The collision resulted in damage to both vehicles. The front end of the Mahindra Scorpio Classic appears to be significantly impaired, while the tailgate of the Harrier has suffered damage. Thankfully, the occupants of both vehicles emerged from the incident unscathed.
Bullbar on Scorpio Classic
Images reveal that the involved Scorpio Classic was equipped with a bullbar. It is important to note that having a bullbar on vehicles in India is illegal due to its impact on the vehicle’s crash structure, rendering it unsafe. The images show the Scorpio’s bumper remaining relatively intact, while the upper portion of the vehicle sustained substantial damage. It remains unclear whether this vehicle was equipped with airbags, and if so, it’s likely that the bullbar prevented their deployment.
Due to the positioning of the airbag deployment sensors at the vehicle’s front, the presence of a bullbar can disrupt their proper functioning. The timing of airbag deployment following a collision is a critical moment that necessitates swift action to safeguard occupants. Even the slightest delay, measured in microseconds, could result in harm to the vehicle’s occupants.
Most bullbars are affixed to the vehicle’s chassis, leading to a direct transmission of impact force to the chassis during a collision. This effectively nullifies the effectiveness of crumple zones designed to absorb impact energy. Consequently, the entire force of the collision is transferred directly to the vehicle’s occupants, potentially causing more severe injuries.
Convoy drivers are specially trained
It’s unclear whether the MLA’s security team had undergone proper training for driving in a convoy. Convoy drivers belonging to security teams usually receive specialized training to ensure safe driving and prevent such incidents. Trained motorcade drivers typically avoid tailgating the preceding vehicle. Instead, they maintain a safe distance to mitigate the risk of collisions, especially when abrupt braking is necessary. This practice is particularly important in scenarios like the one described, where sudden braking becomes crucial. This approach is commonly followed by trained motorcade drivers in India.