Traffic Bites

Being a traffic cop can have adverse consequences. Literally. One is quite familiar with the marshal getting knocked down by a car or a two-wheeler in a bid to stop the violator. Chandigarh had quite a few of such incidents. At here is the latest. They also get  bitten in the process.
Just a few days back a city cop hailed down a women talking on her mobile while driving. Chandigarh Police is known for its strict enforcement.  She stopped and the moment cop reached  inside in order to  turn off the ignition of her car, the woman sprang into action and bit him. As one could see in the newspaper reports, she was remorseless. And so were many others, as later in the evening in a party, many women appreciated the woman's 'biting' act.  Another party guy smilingly said, "the cop asked for it."
Well, so much for our traffic cops. Their image has literally taken a beating.  But what about our woman driver?  Was she angry? Or did she find the cop's hand intruding into her car to switch off the ignition as an affront and an open intervention into her very personal domain? Surely that must have been one of the reason and a lesson for the traffic cops indeed to understand the personal psychological domain that a driver of a vehicle carries around him/her.
At the same time it also shows an open defiance to authority, a complete expression of hostility and 'road rage' of a different dimension, that requires to be looked at with deep concern.
You can read more on:
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-23/chandigarh/29466066_1_head-constable-challan-om-prakash

Indian Cinema rewrites 'Traffic Rules'

Everyone knows the impact the cinema has on the society. And yet, the script writers and lyricists always put decency and moral responsibility to wind as they churn out stuff that can have far reaching implications, especially on youth. If you have not seen yet, the trailer of an upcoming Punjabi flick, 'Dharti' (I thought it is perhaps a patriotic one), which does not require any explanation. Watch it to learn the 'new traffic rules' that some 'innovative' Panjabi lyricist has penned (to guide the youth or portray a growing trend?)

Since this song is in Punjabi, for  people not familiar with it, I have tried to convey the essence of this song by translating its first stanza into English.

Saade apne ne rule, Saade apne asool,

Assin jithey padhe oh taa vakhrey school,

Saanu jehda roke tokeh,

Rakh daa ge ohnu Dho ke,

Assin jithey chaawange gaddi moudange,

Fer saare de saare hi signal todange,

(Its English translation)

We have our own rules, We have our own principles,

Where we studied were different schools,

Whosoever tries to stop or restraint us,

will be thrashed,

Wherever we’ll feel like we’ll turn our cars,

And Then we’ll violate every traffic signal on the way…

'Words' are the most basic and powerful tools of communication and should be used judiciously especially when it caters to the masses at large. The mark it leaves on one's psyche is potent enough to transform into thoughts and then actions. This is not the first instance where 'rule-breaking' words or promoting 'risk-taking' and 'sensation-seeking' is used but it has to stop somewhere. India which now leads the world in road fatalities, where nearly every four minutes a life is lost due to road accidents, entertainment like this does not stand in a good taste. Moreover, this video which has already got more than 280 'likes' with only 2 'dislikes' on You Tube shows that youngsters approve of it. Its high time some kind of self-restraint is followed. Traffic violations are the last things we would like our youngsters to emulate from cinema. But can someone stop this song from airing? Or we are too complacent to simply sit and enjoy with who-cares-attitude?

Communication or Miscommunication??

Communication is a great tool. The sender of the message sends forth an intended message via a channel or a medium to the receiver or target audience. The receiver gets the message and tries to comprehend. Well, here is the catch, there is a probability of the message being misinterpreted due to variety of reasons. The information conveyed might not be understood the way it was supposed to be or the way sender wanted to either because of the language used, or the disruptions in the channel of communication.  There are n-number of case studies how even the advertising message or the public service campaign (like the famous family planning one), failed due to the message getting mis-interpreted by the recipients.

Why am I writing all this is due to the fact that on our roads too, the signages, billboards, hoardings are installed for a specific reason. They should convey some meaning, that is the very reason they are placed at a particular point or an intersection to cater to the masses at large. The information might not always be relevant as most of them are for advertisement purpose to promote their product. But recently I came across a traffic junction in my city's vicinity where the attempt has been made to promote the drink  'Pepsi' - the official partners to the World Cup - and the headline that screamed out of the bill board, "Rules are for followers".  

Well, how would that get interpreted on a traffic light where the youngsters follow their youth icon screaming at them to, ostensibly, 'break the rules'. 

Well, here probably the one composing this tag line was not aware that this will be installed at traffic intersection where 'rules are meant to be followed' but then the people who placed it here probably were oblivious about their 'moral or social responsibility'. At first instance when I saw it, it instigated me to violate, the message coupled with the enraged expression for a moment makes you think in that way. Time to ponder. 

The day India held its breath!

For the nation where ‘cricket’ is worshipped as a ‘religion’, the semi-final between India and Pakistan was an event that caught maximum eye-balls.  And surely many were biting their nails, holding their breath at every ball, and having nerve-wrecking moments throughout this meeting of titans.  And there could have been no other way to let lose the expression of euphoria for the people to come on the street and join in the frenzy.  It was a maddening release of pent of emotional stress by dancing in the streets, driving like crazy on the roads, hanging from the windows of their cars and waving their shirts…it was sheer mania. 

Youngsters blocked the roads and danced in the streets. Police had a harrowing time controlling the unruly mobs of men, women and children dancing in the streets and blocking traffic. Others quietly stood on the sidelines or leaned over their balconies to witness and wonder at the way people behave. At the end of the match even well-to-do people behaved strangely picking up chairs in the restaurants and jumping on to the tables.

Many youngsters could be seen taking a repeated round of the main road which led to the PCA stadium (where the match was being held) and displaying their antics unmindful of the danger they were posing to themselves and the people standing on the road sides. 

Blaring loud music, open consumption of liquor, public smoking in a city where it is banned, hanging out of the car windows, standing on the pillion of the motorbikes, over speeding, by a large number of individuals, was a collective celebration or mass hysteria?  Two boys lost their lives, turning their joy into a harrowing experience for their families left behind. 

Is it the Frankenstein within each one of us that is always rearing to come out at the very first opportunity? That perhaps unveils the way we drive.

Mobile can sometimes render us Immobile

Pairing mobility with mobile can have adverse consequences. Its pretty easy to spot out people speaking on their mobiles while driving. What they do not understand is that in a bid to multi-task and save time, they put their lives and of others on stake. This video I came across on YouTube gives a fair enough idea of what this avoidable Human Error can lead to. Watch it, if you have a strong heart.

Various countries around the globe have made laws that ban usage of mobile phones completely including texting. The usage of cell phones while driving not only distracts the driver from the activity he/she is performing but also undermines their reaction time due to attention lapses. Several research studies have been done on this issue through self-report questionnaires and also on simulators. It has been discovered that there is a difference in indulging in a conversation with the in-car passenger and those on a cell phone. While the former can alert the driver on an approaching danger, there is no such possibility with the latter. An aspect of conversation suppression has also been observed that implies slow rate of conversation on gauging any threat on roads while the driver and the co-passenger are more likely to follow this rule, its quite impossible for the remote passenger on cellphone. The content of the conversation also matters, therefore the more complex and involving the issue, the more cognitive workload and the more probability of error.

While the latest technology ensuring built-in devices that helps the driver to converse hands-free, research  has proved that it does not help much. The probability of being engaged in lapses, errors and accidents is as high as with the hand-held devices.
Another research study quoted that drivers on cell phones are as bad as drunk drivers. They can be compared to the drunk drivers those who are having blood alcohol level at 0.08%
To conclude, Mobile usage behind the steering wheel can render us immobile, so as a responsible citizen and road user we should send this message across, create as much awareness as possible so that no life is compromised.

The Commercial Drivers

‘’With great powers comes great responsibility’’ was the Spiderman’s popular adage. Well I guess responsibility can come with or without powers as well, I mean on the roads when commercial drivers are carrying a huge responsibility of several lives at their disposal, do they act as a sensible or responsible drivers always? Well, looking at the scenario on Indian roads, I don’t think so. I have observed many at times these drivers for not observing the traffic laws especially at night when there is no one to check them out. The darkness with its anonymity factor getting enhanced, adds to a sense of great power in the minds of commercial drivers, who assume the shape of powerful, invincible immortals,  trying every possible death-defying stunts at the risk of their own lives…and that of their passengers.  This makes me think that even if they are given some powers I doubt it’ll be used for greater good of humanity.

There are so many incidents of having trucks or bus drivers being booked for rash and negligent driving and causing deaths under Section 304-A of Indian Penal Code. They don’t realize the extent of responsibility they carry. The lapse from the driver’s side is always evident but then I feel there is always other side of the coin as well.

The drivers are not the only ones to blame, sometimes due to many factors they are compelled to act in a certain way. The economical reasons and long hours of duty being the major ones, so when basic requirements of food, home and shelter need to be fulfilled, some sacrifices in terms of health and family life are unavoidable. The infamous relationship between truck drivers and drug usage is not unfamiliar.  Major reason of truck drivers being involved in opium, poppy husk and other drugs is due to the fact that they need to get themselves going even under worse circumstances.

I feel there should be proper training modules to enhance and also check upon the driving skills of these drivers. As there are different stakeholders involved at different levels from awareness, education to enforcement, some steps and initiative needs to be taken. Following are some suggestions for the same.

1.    Proper Training and issue of the driving license under strict supervision.

2.    Course in Defensive Driving in lines similar to those being carried out in developed countries.

3.    More training for the young eligible drivers that can open up employment opportunities, also making a substantial staff available that can be duly allocated cutting down on working hours.

4.    Maybe a proposal of setting up an accredited driving schools catering especially to the needs of commercial drivers.

5.    Salary increase.

6.    Initiative from political front.

7.    Awareness and the potential hazards of driving under the influence of drugs.

8.    Stringent laws of being booked for driving under the influence of drugs.

9.    Shutting down the ‘Highway hattas’ that in turn encourage drinking and driving.

10.  Revocation of the driving license and follow-up to see that it is not issued again if caught flouting traffic laws.

11.  Relaxation workshops for better self-control and de-stress strategies.

12.  Moral guidance for making them aware of being a responsible driver.

How soon will this happen? Who would bell the cat? Prone as we are to create a crisis and then handle it, our country today stands on the fringe of a big crisis.  An epidemic of sorts is already there with our country leading the world in road fatalities. But as it is said, it is never too late to learn, things that have happened cannot be undone but changes in positive direction can provide scope for better society and a better future.   

The Fender-Bender

I dont know if you have noticed but during a conversation on Road Safety with my mentor, we happened to touch upon a topic probably given less heed to. Often we come across cars with their side-view/fender mirror closed. Why are they closed when they help us substantially on the events occurring outside our peripheral vision while driving? As per commonsense, since it is located outside the vehicle, are more susceptible of being broken and probably to avoid such mishap the drivers choose to rather keep it closed. That is one probable and I guess a reasonable excuse I could think of.

(fender mirrors are susceptible of being broken)

But since I have now been more aware of this phenomenon when on roads, hypothetically saying perhaps every one in four cars I come across have their fender or side view mirrors closed. What can be interesting enough to see whether non-usage of these have led to any collision or traffic accidents? As keeping these mirrors closed do have a significant impact as one is unable to gauge what is going on behind and at the sides of the vehicle.

(the above car shown has its fender/side-view mirror closed)

Although nowadays the modern cars (the expensive lot) have these mirrors mounted normally at the ''A'' pillar (also called the windshield pillar) rather than the wings but the lower, middle and many high segment cars in India are still following the same trend. Is it the engineering or designing loophole that can be averted, probably designing these mirrors in such a way so that they serve its purpose and at the same time not vulnerable of being broken, also keeping the low-budget in mind? Think...