High speed crashes involving modified jeeps worry local police
Odisha is currently witnessing a disturbing trend on its roads, marking a deadly shift in traffic safety across the Bhubaneswar and Cuttack belt. While heavy trucks and two-wheelers were historically blamed for accidents, the period between 2024 and 2026 has seen a specific vehicle become the center of a safety crisis: the Mahindra Thar. Locals and media have even dubbed this rising phenomenon as "Thar Terror" due to the aggressive driving often associated with this SUV.
Statistics paint a grim picture for the state. 2024 became the deadliest year in Odisha’s road history with over 6,100 fatalities, a significant jump from previous years. Within this data, high-velocity collisions involving these off-road vehicles have claimed the lives of pedestrians, bikers, and even the SUV occupants themselves.
Why These Accidents Are Happening
Experts point to a dangerous mix of mechanical limitations and driver behavior. The Mahindra Thar is an engineering marvel designed for off-road terrain, not for racing on concrete highways. Unlike standard cars, it has a high center of gravity. When drivers attempt sudden lane changes or high-speed turns - common behaviors on Bhubaneswar’s wide avenues - the vehicle becomes unstable and prone to toppling.
This instability is worsened by the "Bhubaneswar Car Culture," where owners modify their vehicles for an imposing look. Adding lift kits to raise the height or installing oversized tires might look aggressive, but these changes degrade safety. Technical analysis confirms that these modifications increase the braking distance, meaning the car cannot stop in time during emergencies.
The Role of Social Media and Rentals
A major factor fueling this crisis is the psychological need for "performative masculinity" and social validation. Young drivers often view the vehicle as a statement of power, leading to intimidation tactics like tailgating and using illegal pressure horns. Police have also noted a direct link between accidents and social media trends, with youths performing dangerous stunts for Instagram Reels.
Furthermore, the self-drive rental market has exacerbated the issue. Inexperienced drivers, often college students accustomed to small cars, rent these powerful SUVs for "joyriding" without understanding their handling dynamics. This lack of ownership responsibility leads to reckless behavior, such as testing top speeds on highways.
Tragic Consequences and Police Action
The consequences of this negligence are heartbreaking. In August 2025, a speeding Thar killed an 8-year-old girl in Patrapada during a hit-and-run incident involving an illegal race. Similarly, in early 2026, a collision at Pitapalli Chhak claimed three young lives when a speeding SUV rammed into a stationary truck.
In response, the Commissionerate Police launched "Operation High Decibel" to crack down on modified vehicles. Authorities are now seizing vehicles with illegal alterations and recommending license suspensions for offenders. However, experts suggest that only a combination of strict enforcement, better infrastructure planning, and a shift in community mindset can truly end this terror on the roads.
