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Driving is a privilege with responsibilities, not a right. There is a world of difference between having a licence to drive and licentious driving. Why not set aside a day for `driving by the book'?
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RECENTLY, THERE was a news item in the local newspapers that was really amusing - drivers talking on the cell phone while driving are being fined by the traffic cops for causing dangerous driving situations! What??!! Only cell phones? What about all the other outrageously dangerous scenes that we witness everyday? Don't get me wrong. Nothing could be more distracting or dangerous while driving than the cell phone. We will go into cell etiquette next week. But for now, let us look at the chaos on the streets. There are thousands of people who will agree with me in saying, don't single out cell phone usage alone for fines, please include other reckless behaviour on the roads that poses a life threatening situation. We are the most free-spirited drivers in this world! Traffic rules? What is that and who cares? Stop lights? That is only for the chicken-hearted ones who are afraid to dash head-on in a mad rush towards the intersection!
One-way street merely means, most of the traffic moves in one direction. Pedestrians, beware! Passing, overtaking? Does anyone know or care what is the correct way to pass the other?
I am yet to see a vehicle that will wait to take a turn while a bus is `loading' and `unloading' passengers. How many times have we seen teens and pre-teens on the main roads driving two wheelers or even cars! Our roads are filled with daredevils. You cannot even shrug your shoulders and look the other way because most often these daredevils have their whole family piled in front and on the pillion. My heart pounds when I see a mother perched on the pillion of a two-wheeler with an infant dangling very casually from her lap and the husband is weaving in and out, just to nudge himself into that little opening between a bus and car!
All for saving an extra minute and gaining a few yards of advantage? All the newer cars have the turn signals literally, at the fingertips. The drivers are either unaware of this or ignore to use it. The idea is, "surprise"! Of course, there are the good old hand signals to which we have contributed a new and very creative one. Whether the other universally accepted signals are used or not, this is a constant.
This is peculiarly Indian. The fingers are spreadout and the whole arm is moved up and down. A killer look and a mouthing of "Kyaa" could accompany this. This is a particularly popular signal that is used by one and all, including the traffic cops!
Now let us dream! Vehicles are in their lanes; with the turning vehicles in the appropriate left and right turn lanes. At any intersection, people do stop, look and proceed. Drivers also accept unconditionally, there is more to traffic rules than "move forward"! Above all, everyone shows just good old consideration and courtesy for the fellow citizens, whether inside or outside vehicles.
Remember driving is a privilege with responsibilities, not a right. There is a world of difference between having a license to drive and licentious driving.
But wait a minute! Why stop with just daydreaming?
Everybody is disgusted with the state of affairs and complain. Let us do something concrete.
Are you ready for the challenge? Then, here it is. What if when everyone takes the initiative to get the traffic rules book to check your proficiency and knowledge, and what if we drive "by the book" just for one week, maybe, one day? We have Mother's Day, Father's Day... let's add, `driving by the book day'! Any takers?
CHITRA DANGER
(The writer is the Director, ProEt Centre for International Protocol and Etiquette; e-mail: proetique@yahoo.co.in)
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Chennai
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