Traffic Civic Responsibility

With the boom in growing traffic vehicles on narrow roads in Jammu and Kashmir,the drivers follow a short cutto reach their destinations by making 2 -3 lanes in such narrow roads which in turn blocks the opposite side vehicles to cross resulting a daily huge jam on roads and become a problem for all. If we have patience and use the single lane for driving then it takes only minutes to cross but our arrogance, ego and lack of civic responsibility have forced us to adapt to the present system of driving which in turn creates chaos for all. Maximum of us have one aim – that is to reach the office or work place as early as possible and return home in the same manner this happened only if we follow the traffic rules and having a traffic civic sense among drivers. It is a matter of few minutes that makes the difference, but remember safety comes first as better to late than never. “Hurry, worry and hot curry” are bound to affect your health sooner or later. Daily we have seen accidents and deaths on roads by our ego and arrogance nature but we never care and learn nothing from the mistakes. After stuck in a small traffic we look out for any small passage from any corner or wrong side to slip in and make way for our cars or two-wheelers without thinking for others and to make the matter worse we create a huge traffic jam which takes hours to clear for our single mistake.On reaching saturation points, traffic jams the time is right to introspect for responsible road discipline. Now a new trend is famous among passenger and personnel car drivers to park their vehicles on roads while picking and dropping their passengers and they have no affect from the blowing horns from the vehicles behind resulting of traffic jams. The drivers also use phones as through the entire day’s planning is being done while on driving without thinking of their passenger’s life. In such situations, tragic accidents and traffic jams are bound to happen. If we have really traffic civic sense among us then we discourage calls on mobile phone while driving and attend the call only in case of an emergency, while parking our vehicles at a safe place. Over taking by speedy vehicles is another problem among drivers. Sometimes I got surprised when I see a patient fighting for life in an ambulance and few rash drivers are not giving side to these ambulances and when somehow the ambulance driver escapes from the traffic mess hundreds of other vehicleschasing behindthe ambulanceresulting a huge traffic jam without forgetting that they are creating a chaos and trouble for not only themselves but for others too.
Sharing my own real experience on safe driving and real civic responsibility among drivers was during my official visit to Meghalaya Assam, on 2020, I got a vehicle from the department for a day visit to Meghalaya famous tourist destinations, after visiting few beautiful places we return at 6.00 pm and at one place we got stuck in huge single lane traffic jam and the other side was clear for the traffic. I intentionally told the driver that enter his vehicle in this lane and we will reach on time. After listening his response, I got surprised. He said no sir, if I do that then instead of minutes it will takes hours for the traffic to clear and it is our social responsibility to follow the traffic rules. After listening such a great reply from the driver, I have no answer in reply and after few minutes the traffic jam got clear and I reached before time in my guest house. on that night I am thinking that when I see in such civic traffic responsibility among drivers in Jammu and Kashmir. Passengers who commute daily by using public transport especially buses are always on the rise and at times of traffic jams, people are seen literally shouting at each other. In fact, during their arguments, they tend to forget that they are creating more trouble for themselves and for other needy and patients who aresuffering in the traffic jam without thinking that one minute is life saving for others. So, in the last it our responsibility to follow the traffic rules by keep enough distance between bumpers. Always drive in your lane instead of jumping or frequently crossing paths with others. Lane driving is safe driving. This will enable a smooth flow of traffic and we all reached to our destinations on time. Never overtake from the left side of a vehicle, as the risk of collision is more and also, it may put you in a no escape situation. On many occasions, you might have noticed the person who had overtaken you in a hurry lands up at the same signal light behind you. Most importantly, remember that every life is as valuable as yours. Avoid becoming a road warrior, bring a stronger focus on driving habits and a shift in one’s attitude toward driving. Let’s change our attitude towards each other. After all, it’s our responsibility to follow the traffic rules and make everyone happy. If we have any emergency the best is to start a bit early so that you escape the rush-hour blockages. So, remember in the last “Hurry, Worry and Hot curry affect your health sooner or later”. Better traffic civic sense could help make for safer roads for daily and needy commuters.
(The author is a freelancer. Views are his own)
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