A disturbing road incident in Udupi, captured on CCTV and widely shared on social media, has sparked serious concerns about driver awareness and vehicle safety. The video shows a car unexpectedly rolling backwards with its door still open, leading to a collision with multiple two-wheelers.
The Sequence of Events as Seen on CCTV
The incident occurred on January 2, 2026. The CCTV footage, which went viral on January 3, 2026, begins with a car stopped on what appears to be a roadside. A critical detail visible immediately is that the driver's side door is wide open. The vehicle moves forward a very short distance, but before the driver can properly secure the door, the situation turns dangerous.
In a sudden and alarming maneuver, the car jerks into reverse at a noticeable speed. This unexpected backward motion happens directly into the path of oncoming traffic, specifically targeting the lane used by two-wheelers. The drivers of the scooters or motorcycles had little to no time to react to the vehicle suddenly charging towards them.
Immediate Aftermath and Online Reaction
The viral clip, shared by road safety advocate Dave (@motordave2), clearly shows the car making contact with at least one two-wheeler, causing it to wobble dangerously. The potential for a more severe, multi-vehicle pile-up was high given the traffic flow. The user's tweet accompanying the video raised pointed questions about the possible cause, speculating on a confusion between the brake and accelerator pedals, a common yet perilous error often linked to automatic transmission vehicles.
The online community quickly engaged with the post, expressing shock and using the incident to reiterate the fundamentals of safe driving. Comments emphasized the non-negotiable rule of ensuring a vehicle is fully secured—doors closed, gear properly engaged, and full attention on controls—before any movement.
Broader Implications for Road Safety
This Udupi episode is not an isolated one but part of a worrying pattern of accidents stemming from basic driver error. It serves as a stark, visual reminder of several key safety lessons:
- Complete Vehicle Control: A vehicle should never be set into motion unless all doors are properly shut and seatbelts fastened.
- Pedal Discipline: The confusion between the accelerator and brake, sometimes called "pedal misapplication," is a leading cause of low-speed urban accidents and requires conscious focus to avoid.
- Situational Awareness: Drivers must be acutely aware of their vehicle's gear selection (Drive, Reverse, Park) before releasing the brake, especially in automatic cars.
While the exact injuries or material damage from this Udupi accident are not detailed in the initial report, the visual evidence is compelling enough to warrant caution. The video has been tagged with handles like @DriveSmart_IN and @RCBengaluru, indicating a call for attention from road safety authorities and law enforcement. Such incidents reinforce the need for continuous public awareness campaigns on basic driving etiquette and mechanical familiarity, potentially preventing future tragedies on the bustling roads of Karnataka and beyond.
