Things that irritate on Indian roads

An average Indian road is an irritating place to be in. Be it a biker, a truck driver, a car owner, a cyclist, a scooter or a “mere” pedestrian, it is a path full of uncertainties, dangers and at times, unintended amusements. Today I want to discuss what is it that irritates me the most when I am on the road.

I am sure I will get a fair share of people supporting me on this. Honking, and too much of it at that, is a problem. A big one. In India, people often think they will clear a traffic jam simply by honking their horns. Does not happen. What happens instead, is high blood pressure for some, road rage for others, and frustration for the rest. If there are any left, they simply turn up the volume. I think the last ones are the smartest and get home first.

Why are people so obsessed with high beam headlights? I will never know. And to be sure, I never use high beam myself. See, high beam has its uses. On a highway with high speed traffic, and one way roads, it is the only way to drive. But in cities, with well-lit roads as in Delhi, Mumbai and some other cities, it is a nightmare. In fact, it is criminal to use high beam! Or should at least be.

Rear View mirrors have a purpose and are supposed to be used. Pity we don’t realise that. Out of laziness or sheer callousness, I am yet to figure out. The number of cars on the road who never bother putting into use the rear side view mirrors is incredible. You don’t need University of Cambridge research to prove that. Simply roam around the city and casually note the number of cars with a folded side view mirror. Or those without one at all. Somehow to me, a rear side view mirror is more useful than a normal rear view mirror. It helps you reverse and also when you wish to change lanes. And yet, people don’t use it. Shame, shame.

And now the bikers! They are a bunch of crazy people. They zig zag around, sometimes appear in front of you out of nowhere, and at times disappear too without warning. And in India there are so many of them. So they make my life hell.

But what is it with SUVs though? You are big, you are spacious, you are frightening. But you don’t own the road. Not in the city anyway. Because you are heavy, you are also slow and no matter how hard you try, you can’t get further ahead of my Maruti 800 from one red light to the next. So stop giving me those looks. I am scared but can’t be defeated. Irritating.

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