Two in the Front Seat of an Auto Rickshaw? Here is Why It is Risky and Needs to Stop

Overcrowding for a Few Extra Rupees

If you have ever waited for an auto near a busy metro station, you might have noticed that the driver will not even budge until there are five passengers. That little extra fare seems to make all the difference. To make those few rupees, drivers often squeeze two people in the front seat, even though it is risky and illegal. And then comes the mad dash; speeding through traffic, zigzagging between cars just so they can pick up the next batch of passengers before the next metro train arrives. It is like a vicious little cycle of risk for money, repeated every few minutes.

Risks for Passengers

• No Safety Net: Unlike cars, autos are tiny, open boxes. No airbags, no sturdy doors, nothing to really keep you safe. Imagine two people crammed into that front seat. Any sudden stop or bump could send someone tumbling out. Not exactly comforting.
  
• High Chance of Being Tossed Around: Seat belts? Rarely. Solid barriers? Forget it. Even small collisions can throw passengers off balance. Kids and shorter passengers end up being the most exposed. It is scary how little protection there is in such a small space.
  
• Potholes, Uneven Roads and Spills: Autos hit potholes all the time. Now add overcrowding to the mix. It can lead to falls, back pain, or worse. A simple jolt can lead to serious spinal or neck injuries, especially if you are stuck holding on for dear life.
  
• Squeezed and Uncomfortable: Crowding forces everyone to hold on awkwardly. The risk of falling or bumping into someone else rises sharply, and children almost always get the short end of the stick.

Risks for the Driver

• Accident Magnet: Auto-rickshaws can turn sharply and unpredictably, which is fine for a solo driver. But add extra weight in the front seat, this makes collisions more likely. It is not just the passengers who are at risk, drivers themselves are putting their lives on the line.
  
• Breaking the Law: Yes, this is illegal. The Motor Vehicles Act clearly states that multiple passengers in the front seat are not allowed. Violations can bring fines, penalties and sometimes even temporary suspension of the license. Yet, the lure of a few extra rupees is often too tempting.

Why This Must Stop

• Safety First: At the end of the day, nobody wins if someone gets hurt. Kids, office goers, college students, they all deserve a safe ride. Crowding the front seat is just not worth it.
  
• Follow the Rules: Laws exist for a reason. Obeying them means safer roads and fewer accidents. It is as simple as that.
  
• Safer Roads for Everyone: If authorities crack down on this unsafe practice, everyone benefits. Commuters, pedestrians and drivers themselves, making life on the road becomes less of a gamble.

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