Janaagraha
Janaagraha
What We Can Do While We Wait For Our Roads to Improve
We’re all well aware of the terrible state our roads- it, after all, seems to be Bangalore’s premier concern. Poor infrastructure, and the sheer amount of vehicles on the road haven’t helped matters any. It’s a near-death experience venturing out in the streets during rush hour- which no longer seems to be a few hours every morning or evening, but at any given point of time in the day.
While we might blame inadequate infrastructure, poor design and a sheer lack of manpower to tackle this problem, we cannot let things remain in this status quo. So, while the state works towards fixing these problems for us in the long term, what can be done by us, the drivers themselves to make driving a less torturous experience?
One of the things that can be done to improve the situation starting this very moment is to just not behave like squabbling children on the road. "Drive Friendly" is a campaign that was launched in the State of New Jersey, and we could really use something similar.
So, the next time someone stops your race across an intersection by positioning his SUV right across your path, wave him across instead of maneuvering your own vehicle to try and cut him off. We need to be adults to get a driver’s licence...so let’s start acting like that.
Traffic Management
I agree with Sushmita on this issue. I am from Atlanta, GA and I am really used to friendly driving. I think another way for people to improve the driving situation in Bangalore is for people to stay in their lanes while they are driving and there is also a lot of traffic.
A very important point you
A very important point you brought up is Lane Driving- a concept that seems to exist in other Indian cities, but not here in Bangalore.
It seems to be perfectly acceptable to cut across all traffic from the lane furthest to the left because you have decided to take a right turn. Right in front of traffic policemen, who just continue to turn a blind eye.
Rules cannot be effective if they are not enforced.
I agree
I agree
Talk about indiscipline
Yesterday, I witnessed one of those mother of all, 3 kms, blocking all junctions kinda jam. On my way to Koramangala, I got stuck in a spot that is usually quite clear. But I actually saw the jam build up right in front of my eyes. This bus was trying to turn left, but these motorcyles just zoomed from the opposite site and blocked the route for him. It was seriously not the drivers fault. And then we had people continuing this inconsiderate behaviour-2 wheelers started riding on the footpath to escape, cars from another side kept squeezing in, and pedestrians...welll lets just leave them aside. Nobody bothered to just wait for 5 mins so that the big bus could move. Everyone was just bothered about their way.And what happened. Led to a mega Jam! Jam spilt over to koramangala, viveknagar, infant jesus church. It was all blocked. Why dont people have the sense to hold their vehicles instead of aggravating the problem!
Then I tried taking another route, but here, call it coincidence or bad luck, thi sbus broke down on a narrow lane blocking vehicles both ways. The lane was too narrow for any other vehicle to cross. Why the hell are buses allowed to ply on such narrow lanes? These are big vehicles. Doesn't our police understand that? They need ot be on the main road!
Anyway, I came out completely frustrated at citizens and the govt. I even wanted to cancel the meeting I was headed to but turning back was no option either. I was caught and had to endure it.
There is another reason...
Of late, I've noticed many malfunctioning signals which cause traffic jams and worse, accidents; signals turn green and when vehicles start moving, they suddenly turn red; I want to bring this to someone's notice but I don't know who to approach as this problem doesn't seem restricted to any particular area - can anyone help?