India’s roads are among the busiest and most diverse in the world, accommodating everything from luxury sedans and scooters to overloaded trucks and massive buses. While infrastructure and vehicle safety standards are slowly improving, one persistent danger remains grossly under-addressed: ill-maintained Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs).
A recent Tata Nexon accident, allegedly caused by a faulty HCV, has reignited discussions around the urgent need for stricter safety checks, better maintenance enforcement, and greater accountability. This blog dives deep into the issue, exploring how vehicles like trucks and trailers, when neglected, can become moving hazards for everyone on the road.
🚨 The Incident: What Happened?
The incident involved a Tata Nexon, a car renowned for its 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. Despite the vehicle’s strong build and safety features, the crash was severe — caused by a heavy commercial vehicle (likely a truck or trailer) that either lost control or suffered a mechanical failure. Eyewitness reports suggest faulty brakes or poor tire condition may have led the HCV to veer into the Nexon’s lane, resulting in a major collision.
Thankfully, the Nexon’s structural integrity protected the passengers, minimizing injuries. But the event underscores a bigger question: Why are such HCVs still on the road in dangerous condition?
🔍 India’s HCV Maintenance Crisis: A Closer Look
Heavy Commercial Vehicles play a crucial role in India’s economy — transporting goods across cities, states, and sometimes even borders. However, their maintenance standards are shockingly poor, especially among smaller transport operators and older fleets.
Major causes for poor HCV maintenance:
- Cost-cutting by fleet owners
- Lack of mandatory periodic inspections
- Shortage of skilled mechanics and authorized service centers
- Poor awareness of safety regulations
- Negligence due to corruption or lax enforcement by regional transport offices (RTOs)
⚠️ The Real Dangers Posed by Faulty HCVs
A poorly maintained HCV is not just a danger to itself, but a rolling threat to everyone else on the road. Below are some major issues that make them hazardous:
1. Worn-out Brakes
Overloaded or unbalanced cargo puts immense pressure on braking systems. Combined with poor maintenance, this can lead to brake failure, one of the most common causes of HCV-related accidents.
2. Bald Tires and Blowouts
Many trucks run with completely worn-out tires, especially on rear axles. Blowouts at high speeds or in congested areas can be deadly.
3. Broken or Dim Tail Lights
Faulty lighting makes these massive vehicles invisible at night, especially on poorly lit roads, increasing the chance of rear-end collisions.
4. Overloading
To maximize profit, many transporters overload their trucks well beyond legal limits, leading to instability, longer stopping distances, and higher wear on components.
5. Axle and Steering Failures
A neglected steering or axle system can cause an HCV to veer uncontrollably — a nightmare scenario on highways or in hilly regions.
🚚 Commonly Neglected HCVs on Indian Roads
- Sand & gravel dumpers
- Logistics trailers on highways
- Inter-state long-haul trucks
- Water tankers in cities
- Cement mixers and construction vehicles
These are often under-serviced, rarely inspected, and frequently overloaded.
🛑 Why Are These Vehicles Still Operational?
Despite multiple laws, like the Motor Vehicles Act and RTO fitness certificates, enforcement remains weak.
Core issues:
- Bribes and loopholes allow unfit vehicles to get clearance.
- Fitness certificates can be renewed without actual inspection.
- Lack of a centralized digital tracking system for vehicle fitness across states.
Many HCVs that should be scrapped still run on the roads due to a lack of scrappage enforcement and awareness.
🧑⚖️ Who Is Responsible?
This is not just the fault of transporters. A shared responsibility lies with:
- Fleet operators: Cutting corners on maintenance.
- Government: Weak enforcement of existing regulations.
- RTOs: Corruption and negligence.
- Vehicle owners: Failing to understand or prioritize safety.
🛡️ The Role of Safer Passenger Vehicles
The Tata Nexon, involved in the recent incident, is a good example of how modern safety features can save lives even in dangerous conditions.
Key safety features that helped:
- 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating
- ABS with EBD
- Reinforced body structure
- Dual airbags
However, no matter how safe your car is, it can’t protect you from every external threat — especially a massive truck out of control.
🛠️ What Needs to Change?
To prevent future accidents like the Tata Nexon case, the following steps are urgently needed:
1. Mandatory Annual Inspections
Every HCV should undergo a detailed fitness test each year, not just paperwork.
2. Digital Maintenance Logs
Use of tamper-proof digital records can help track servicing and safety compliance.
3. Random Spot Checks
Authorities should carry out real-time inspections on highways to catch and penalize defaulters.
4. Public Reporting Tools
Allow regular citizens to report visibly dangerous trucks via mobile apps or helplines.
5. Stricter Penalties
Repeat offenders should face vehicle seizure, license suspension, and even criminal charges for fatal accidents.
🚧 Conclusion: Safety Is a Shared Responsibility
The Tata Nexon accident is not just a one-off event — it is a symbol of a broken system that puts lives at risk every day. While modern cars like the Nexon are getting safer, they cannot compensate for poor infrastructure, negligent enforcement, and dangerous commercial vehicles.
It’s time we stop treating HCV maintenance as a low-priority issue. After all, what’s the point of buying a 5-star safety-rated car if the road itself is unsafe?
