BP
Driving in India
The challenge
Castrol India does not own any of their own trucks nor does it employ its own drivers. When it needs to transport products, it hires drivers who provide their own trucks. A driver has a 'driver’s mate' who accompanies the driver on the journey. Different drivers can be used each time.
One of the old trucks in use in India.
The drivers were poorly equipped to handle the challenges of the job and even those that had been driving for years had a limited understanding of the rules of the road. The drivers were paid for the distances they travelled and so would often drive for hours without a break – even continuing through the night.
A typical truck has a cabin made out of wood. There are no seatbelts and the driver’s mate will be sitting on a stool. Sometimes the trucks do not have windscreens and only small rear view mirrors. Drivers try to keep themselves safe by travelling with an open cabin door, so they can jump out of the truck if they are involved in a collision.
If a driver is involved in a collision they face having their trucks impounded until they have paid a large penalty. If they have caused a death, they have to meet the victim’s family and explain what they have done.