A few days back, I was reading an article written by Praveen Sood, The Traffic Commissioner of Bangalore. He wrote some pretty valid points about the traffic situation in Bangalore or for that matter anywhere in India. Most of us would agree that driving is a pain in this country. The single biggest problem with traffic is not traffic jams but lack of discipline in driving. And, the most valid observation he made is that each of one expects the auto, the bus, the pedestrian, the 3 wheeler, the trucks, the roads, the potholes to improve except his/ her own self. This is the root cause of all problems. And, how many traffic policemen can be deputed to catch people who jump signals, overtake from the left, speed, drive under the influence of alcohol, drive on the wrong side of the road, drive recklessly, enter into one ways, take unauthorized U-turns and so many others. No police force in the world should be expected to make adults follow rules. This is correct. In a civilized society, it is only imperative that proper rules must be followed for things to function normally. But are they especially when related to traffic? No!
These same rule breakers, when living in the US or Europe, would be the perfect, law-abiding citizens following all traffic rules to the T. So, where is the problem? It is in the Indian attitude. Whether it is spitting on the roads, throwing garbage on streets, jumping queues, or breaking traffic rules — it is always someone else’s fault. If we want our traffic situation to improve, then the onus is on us, start following the rules no matter what the other person does. Someone else’s wrong behavior does not justify your own. If you do not, you just do not respect your own country or its citizens.
P.S. My other rants on traffic are as follows
Auto rickshaw menace https://www.rachnaparmar.com/2010/07/auto-rickshaw-menace.html
Driving troubles in India https://www.rachnaparmar.com/2010/03/driving-troubles-in-india.html
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