Ford Ecosport Crashes Into Divider, Keeps Occupants Safe [video]
Ford Ecosport commands great respect among owners and enthusiasts. Many love it for its sturdy build, sharp handling and likeable performance. We have over the years, seen many instances in which crashed Ecosports have saved lives. In the most recent one, an Ecosport crashed into a divider in Kerala, and the occupants walked out unhurt.
This mishap happened in Chettuva in Kerala's Thrissur. The place is currently witnessing rapid construction of the National Highway 66. The car- a Black Ecosport- was going to Thrithallur from Guruvayoor. The area has recently been having heavy downpours. The SUV seems to have crashed into the divider on a rainy night. The impact was sizeable and the front fascia seems to have been deformed. The bumper, hood, and overhangs seem to have been affected.
It is clear from the visuals that the cabin remained unaffected by the crash. The A-pillar remains in shape and so does the rest of the car. The airbags seem to have been deployed on time. These should have kept the occupants completely safe. No injuries have been reported. The strong build and body quality should have helped in keeping the impact limited to the front end alone.
The blame for this crash allegedly goes to the construction company responsible for building roads in the area. Sources say that no warning signs were present at the crash site, informing passing drivers of the divider or the ongoing construction. Plus, the area reportedly had no street lights at the time of the crash.
In the above-mentioned scenario, it would be nearly impossible for motorists to see the divider or the boundaries or the beginning of construction. This can lead to major accidents in the future as well. Ideally, such sites should be properly marked with warning boards, lamps and light boards.
It is usually the construction company or contractor undertaking the work to set these up. Social workers of the place are now asking for an immediate inspection to be conducted in the area...
Having proper street lights is another important factor in ensuring road safety as in many cases, vehicle headlights ( and fog lamps) may not suffice in providing proper illumination. It could only worsen in adverse weather conditions.
Locals also allege an improper placement of the divider in the area. They say that the SUV could have crashed due to the metal divider being placed in a way that would surprise the oncoming drivers. We haven't been able to verify the truth behind these allegations though...
Not The First Time...
This is not the first time that careless behaviour from construction companies have led to severe crashes. Previously, we saw an Audi A4 being involved in a high-speed crash due to the lack of sign boards and compromised lighting on the road. It ran into a pile of dirt and took serious damages.
In a couple of other incidents from Uttar Pradesh, we saw a Maruti Wagon R and Tata Tigor falling of an unfinished bridge. While the primary blame here went to Google Maps which showed 'the fastest route', the construction company was equally responsible as they did not provide a warning about the bridge being closed or sign boards asking motorists to take diversion or an alternate route. One of these crashes had happened at night, with little to no lighting around.
Bottomline
All these incidents are strong reminders that the companies responsible for highways and road construction need to be more committed to the greater good of the society and should never shy away from installing proper warning boards or signs at all the required places.