''The increasing stress involved in motoring nowadays makes the psychological efficiency of the driver a more important factor than the mechanical efficiency of the vehicle he drives'' (Parry, 1968).
....surely the 'psyche' runs the show...Welcome to the ''Psyche Drives''...

Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Unfortunate Incident

Its better to be safe than sorry.
Each one of us knows this phrase quite well and often we suggest it to others on pin pointing their mistakes, but how often do we apply on our own lives?

Life often teaches you the hard way if not given heed to. When it comes to Road Safety, it is wiser to consider the safer options. This unfortunate incident that happened in one of the streets of Sector-20, Chandigarh tells the ill-fated saga. The driver of this vehicle (Maruti 800) banged head-on with another car (Maruti Swift). The onlookers said that the driver was driving (Maruti 800) recklessly and was quite rash. Despite of the fact he had his 8 months pregnant wife sitting next to him on the passenger seat, this didn't budge him from driving negligently. The result, his wife lost one eye completely and is in a critical condition. May God bless her child. Please drive safe and arrive SAFE.
P.S. The woman was not wearing her seat-belt.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Bumper philosophy!!

People have unusual ways to express themselves...and when on roads communicating through pictures and text on car bumpers makes interesting readings.  Surprisingly and very aptly these slogans either painted or stuck on the rear glass or bumpers are public announcements of their inner self...their attitude...and in a way, what they think.  That is also possibly the way they drive.


The sticker on the car (above) says "Only Death Can Stop Me".  This man (or woman) would definitely go far. Or is he saying, beware, I'm a dangerous driver!

There are others who reign in their own 'fantasy' world and feels glad to share their imagination among strangers in a public territory (roads)



The word 'Venom' itself symbolizes negativity, anger, hatred..and that is not a good sign esp. when on roads..



Some trying to communicate of 'who they are'...Well, are they really 'the ones'?


While some in a bid to flaunt their image land up being mocked at for their 'spelling errors'







There may be variety of reasons why people put up stickers and other accessories on their cars. But it has also been observed that these expressions on the cars portray the driver's or owner's personality.  A research study by William Szlemko of Colorado State University firmly believes that drivers with stickers and decals are far more likely to use their vehicles to express rage. This phenomena can be traced back to the concept of 'territoriality'. 
A social scientist Szlemko defines territorial spaces of three kinds.  Home or one's bedroom can be categorised as personal territory. The secondary territory is one's office or work station, the space which an individual temporarily owns. Third is public domain like park benches, cinema halls, and roads.  
But, I feel that, one's vehicle, especially a car is another very very personal territory of the owner, who uses it on the public territory i.e. road, and knowingly or unknowingly is very possessive of his/her territory, including the public space of road occupied by the vehicle. And some of the outspoken would define their territory very vehemently by putting up special stickers, and personalized markers and accessories, and any attempt to violate this space can result in aggression. 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Creativity backed with resourcefulness-How Safe?


Passing by full throttle, this band of workers after hard day's work merrily whizzed away at an average speed of 20kms/hr. Where accessibility to public transport is not much an option, finding a creative though risky alternative seems to be an easy way out for them.