A routine morning in the coastal town of Udupi turned chaotic on December 29, 2025, when a seemingly innocuous parked car became the source of a startling accident. The incident, captured clearly on a closed-circuit television camera, has since sparked intense online debate about road safety and driver responsibility.
CCTV Captures the Chaotic Scene
The viral footage shows a car, which was stationary near Omega Cushion on Jamia Masjid Road, abruptly beginning to move in reverse. Without any warning, it rolled backward, crashing into several parked two-wheelers and an auto-rickshaw. The force of the impact was significant, leaving a scene of confusion and damage.
According to a News18 report cited in the incident, the driver was attempting to operate the parked vehicle when it suddenly went out of control. The consequences were immediate and severe. One motorcycle rider sustained serious injuries and had to be rushed to a private hospital for treatment. The auto-rickshaw driver and a few other individuals involved suffered minor injuries in the unexpected collision.
Social Media Erupts with Theories and Blame
As the CCTV video spread across social media platforms, it triggered a flood of reactions from netizens. The bizarre nature of the event left many in shock, prompting a wide range of theories and criticisms.
Many users questioned the mechanics of the accident, with comments like, “How did the car move backwards on its own? It must have been in reverse gear. If not, the manufacturer should be held accountable.” A significant portion of the commentary focused on driver error, especially concerning automatic transmission vehicles. Users advised, “One should first learn to drive manual cars before switching to automatics,” and bluntly stated, “Automatic cars don't move by themselves. This was clearly the driver's mistake.”
Some pointed to technological solutions, suggesting the need for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) on Indian roads. Others attempted to reconstruct the likely scenario: “This is terrifying and hard to explain. Perhaps the car was already in reverse gear, and the driver accidentally pressed the accelerator too hard.” A common thread of criticism targeted perceived driver inexperience, with remarks such as, “Automatic cars have allowed inexperienced drivers on the road, who treat vehicles like toys.”
Police Investigation and Broader Implications
Following the accident, the Udupi traffic police officially registered a case and have launched a detailed investigation. Their primary goal is to determine the exact sequence of events that led a parked car to become uncontrollable and cause injuries to multiple people.
This incident in Udupi has transcended a local news story, igniting wider conversations crucial for Indian urban contexts. It has brought road safety, driver awareness, and the specific nuances of handling automatic vehicles in congested areas back into the spotlight. The debate underscores the need for both proper driver education and heightened vigilance in busy public spaces to prevent such freak accidents.
Disclaimer: This report is assembled from social media discussions and online news reports. The specific details have not been independently verified by the author.
