I Can You Can

I started driving only from 2006 onwards.  So far, I haven’t driven more than 150,000 kms in the past 11 years of driving.  The longest single drive in terms of distance has been from Bengaluru to Hyderabad and in terms of time has been from Bengaluru to Udupi via Belur and Kudremukh.  All of this, therefore, constitute an anticipatory bail to the fact that I might not actually be the best judge to talk about driving.  Nevertheless, I would like to note down my thoughts on what changes I have made to my own driving and what each one of us can do to contribute towards easing Bangalore’s traffic woes.

The best way to reduce traffic in Bengaluru would be if we all take public transport.  Unfortunately, the geographical spread of the city, coupled with the perennial strain on any Indian city – population – makes it very difficult for a lot of us.  For example, I live near Kaggadasapura and work at HSR Layout.  The only public transport I can take (excluding taxis and autorickshaws here) is a BMTC bus.  For this, I will need to take a bus first to Indira Nagar, catch a bus to Silk Board, and then get from there to HSR Layout.  I could get a bus from Marathalli all the way to HSR Layout, but I would struggle to get a bus from my area to reach Marathalli, or even the Old Airport Road near the HAL Aerospace Museum.  I am not even going into how packed the buses are during peak traffic hours.

What we probably need is multi-level car/bike parking spaces spread across the city, near major bus stops where one could park their vehicle, or there should be shuttle service through residential areas to reach all the major roads of the city.  Apart from this, we need better coverage through Bengaluru’s metro rail services as well as local trains with shuttle bus services through each locality to the nearest metro/railway station.  Of course, all of this is going to take time as well as lots of investment, so it probably might not be the most practical solution for our current woes.

How do we solve the issues we face today, though? Following basic traffic rules could be a start.  We could start off by stopping our vehicles when the light turns red and starting only after the light turns green.  We could drive within the lanes marked on the roads.  We could drive as per the speed limit mentioned at the roadside (this would include not driving much slower than what is mentioned as well).  We could use indicators to alert others when we are turning.  We could cross the roads when the traffic stops, using the zebra crossing, or use the skywalks if they are available.  We could do all of these seemingly obvious things, but we mostly don’t.  I know, because I too didn’t do any of it for the first 6-7 years of driving.

The change started when I initially took the decision to not honk any longer.  At the time, it seemed a bit silly, but I had read some sticker on a car about driving without honking (can’t even remember exactly what was written) and decided to try that for a day.  It was quite tough navigating past vehicles, people, and one very naughty cow which decided to not give way.  Then, the challenge was to try it for another day followed by a week, a month, etc.  I have now driven upwards of 60,000 kms without using the horn.

Not using the horn meant that I had to be extra cautious when it came to turning at intersections or navigating past people walking on the road, vehicles cutting across lanes, etc.  This led me to drive at a slightly slower pace, respect my fellow drivers a bit more, be patient with pedestrians and cyclists (after all, it is a lot tougher for them with broken pavements and non-existent cycling lanes) and even animals.  I follow the lanes as much as possible these days, unless I have to overtake some slower moving vehicle in front of me or if there are vehicles parked into driving space.

There are people who’ve told me that it isn’t safe to be driving in India without honking.  I agree that it definitely is tougher to drive in India without using the horn, but I know now that it is not impossible.  I’ve been asked how I negotiate blind turns without honking, and I tell them that I respect a blind turn, slow the vehicle down, pause and then proceed.  Whether it be crawling through the Silk Board junction in Bangalore or zipping through the multiple-lane national highways in South India, I have realised that I have become a far better driver than I used to be.  My wife, while getting exasperated with me for not honking even occasionally, admits that she feels a lot better traveling with me now than when I used to honk.

Initially, I used to trumpet it as a personal achievement, but these days I’m more evangelical about the whole thing, trying to get others to follow this.  While this might not be THE template, I can tell you what I do most of the times:

• ·         Never drink and drive
• ·         Drive not beyond 60 kmph in the main city roads and not beyond 40 kmph through residential areas (even if the roads are wide and there is no traffic)
• ·         Drive within the lane and put the appropriate indicator if I have to change lanes
• ·         Move to the corresponding lane well in advance if I have to turn either right or left
• ·         Make turns as indicated; if I miss a turn, I would move forward and take the next turn rather than make a U-turn where it is not allowed
• ·         Never park the car on the main road while blocking traffic
• ·         Turn on parking lights if I have parked on the roadside temporarily
• ·         Slow down to a stop as the lights turn orange, rather than picking up pace
• ·         Do not jump a red light at an intersection

Some of my pet peeves would be as follows:

• ·         Drivers/riders who do not use indicators
• ·         Drivers/riders who close up their outside rear-view mirrors
• ·         People who open doors without looking at who’s coming from behind
• ·         Drivers/riders who turn into the main road from a side lane without even pausing
• ·         Drivers/riders who try to muscle you out, overtaking you from the left, and then getting angry if they are not let through
• ·         Drivers/riders who incessantly honk, especially when idling at a traffic signal
• ·         Drivers not wearing seat belts and riders not wearing helmets
• ·         Using the pavements to ride the bike to get ahead of the traffic
• ·         Driving/riding on the wrong side of the road
• ·         Drivers/riders who consider themselves as Ayrton Senna or Valentino Rossi but who’re probably closer to Pastor Maldonado (only from driving style)
• ·         Pedestrians who cross roads wherever they feel like
• ·         Pedestrians not using the skywalk wherever it is available

Well, that list goes on.  Coming back, not honking has made me very aware of the fact that I am not just responsible for myself or the people traveling with me but also for all those who are on the roads – walking, riding, driving – along with me.  It should not have taken me so much time to be aware of something so basic, and I’m rather ashamed of it, but it is better late than never, I guess.  Regardless of how much I think I might be in control, it is my responsibility to ensure that the others also stay in control.  I cannot feel content of the fact that nothing happened to my passengers or my car while dashing through the traffic if my driving caused panic and accident of even one other person or vehicle.  Most of our traffic jams are caused by a few individuals who are in a hurry and want to circumvent the traffic rules.  While you might get through, have you ever wondered how much chaos you might be creating behind you?

We all love to complain about the traffic and driving in Bengaluru.  We all hate the incessant honking around us, even when the traffic is at a standstill.  Now, let us all get together to stop all of it.  Let each of us just look at ourselves and make changes to the way we drive.  If each of us decide to do the right thing, we will be able to ease the congestion to some extent.  We still will need wider roads, increased public transport and better infrastructure, but let us play our part in making Bengaluru a better place to drive in.  Reaching your destination slightly later is always preferable to not reaching your destination at all.  Remember also that we are responsible for many others too reaching their destination, even if they are not traveling in your vehicle.  Let us stop complaining and start acting.  Let us make Bengaluru the best city in India to drive/ride in!