“Courtesy and Common Sense”

Definitely missing on the road.

Turn left or turn right, take a U turn or a roundabout all one can see is traffic everywhere. If one has to picture travelling to their destination they can only imagine themselves stuck in a swamp of vehicles where people are honking and screaming all the time. If given a chance one would definitely try and avoid travelling in such situations. Where once travelling to schools, colleges or work places was done with a fresh and peaceful mind has now become a boring and frustrating process which seems as if it is forced on the commuters.

Gone are those days when we could travel on an empty road listening to soothing music and feeling nice. Courtesy and common sense are now missing. All people want to do is rush pass the others and not wait for the right time to move. Jumping signals, accidents, driving in the wrong lane etc is a common sight these days. Even crossing a simple zebra crossing has now become next to impossible.

Basic rules of traffic have been amended by travellers in their own way. To turn left people turn from the extreme right causing trouble to the other commuters. They drive slow in a fast lane and fast in a slow lane without even noticing the disturbances they are causing. Irrespective of cameras installed, speed limit sign boards put up and traffic police present on the sight there is nothing that is really helping to solve the traffic issues. Taking longer routes, trying as hard as possible to not travel during peak hours, using local trains etc are some of the means people use these days. Though these means help those avoiding jams but it also steals away the fun related to travelling in their own vehicles.

Cell phones are mostly blamed for accidents caused but another reason for traffic confusion can be the dearth of signage. Common sense of usage of indications is completely lacking in the drivers today. Very few actually use indications and signs while driving. Signaling of a turn or to move from left to right in the same lane is a very basic but the most important rule which is almost forgotten in today’s world.

Rajath Kaur, a digital analyst says, “I was on my way to work and I had to stop at the Paradise signal to go straight when all of sudden a rash bus driver who had to turn right took a turn from the extreme left almost causing an accident.” Annu Narang a housewife says, “I normally end up honking a lot after getting frustrated. If given a chance I would give the driver a piece of my mind and if he is absolutely rash and seems to be fatal then I'm left with no option, I would take the number of his vehicle and call the police.” “Bus driver’s acts like Auto drivers and vice versa, they must mind their size on the road and not act as if they own it”, says Mona Sirwani a Graphic designer and trainer at 3di digital arts.

Pedestrians are no less for adding to chaos as they don’t prefer walking on the footpath anymore and cross just at the wrong time disturbing the normal flow of the traffic. They then blame the riders for accidents. “Pedestrians are worse as they do not prefer the footpath or the zebra crossing and cross the road during the signal that is on for the vehicles. There should be different signals for them which will help us solve at least a few troubles”, says Mohit Chotrani a retail associate. “Foot over bridges or sky walkers were constructed to solve issues of pedestrians crossing but then they are not built in the places where there is a need of it, forcing these pedestrians to cross from the main road itself”, says Rohit Raheja a young entrepreneur.

With the lack of common sense on the road and with people no longer being courteous to one other accidents are bound to happen. The issues related to traffic can be solved if the rules are taken seriously by the commuters and the government officials.