Road safety campaign highlights peculiar habits of road users

Road safety campaign highlights peculiar habits of road users

Deccan Herald

Carefree pedestrians endanger your safety and theirs

# The Sprinter: In rush hour traffic, this type will sprint across the road expecting all vehicles to slow down
# The Talking Machine always has his ear glued to a mobile phone
# The Spook makes his rounds at night, sometimes straight out of a pub
# Like the legendary magician, Houdini, this type of pedestrian thinks he can get out of any knotty problem

Bangalore: If you thought other vehicles on the road, especially three-wheelers, were risky enough, take a look at some of the carefree, careless type of pedestrians. They endanger your safety and theirs.

The Road Safety Week Campaign of the Traffic Police also highlights the peculiar habits of some bipeds in regard to road safety. Take for instance, the Sprinter. You see him often but barely. In rush hour traffic, this type will sprint across the road expecting all vehicles to slow down; better watch out for him or her.

Then you have what is called the Houdini. Like the legendary magician, this type of pedestrian thinks he can get out of any knotty problem.

You are likely to find him in the middle of traffic, squeezing himself between cars to escape to the other side.

Many drivers have suffered from nervous breakdowns after facing more than one such walker on one day.

You have to be careful of this Talking Machine; either ear glued to a mobile phone or carrying on a conversation with a fellow walker, even while crossing a road. The policemen caution, "His is a one-track mind and it isn't on the traffic.'' You are advised to liberally use your horn and give him or her plenty of room. This walker may hit the punch line of a joke right in the middle of the road; you will not be laughing.

The Genie

You need to watch out for the Genie too. When you are passing a stationary or slow moving vehicle, he will sprint out at you before either of you can really see each other. Sometimes he is a small boy in a hurry to get across the road, sometimes an office worker stepping down from a bus.

Slow down when passing a stationary or slow moving vehicle, and you just may avoid this type of walker.

Those driving at night need to watch out for the Spook; no, we are not talking about Batman. This spook makes his rounds at night, sometimes straight out of a pub and he is usually just beyond the range of your headlights. If you want to have a ghost of chance, you should be able to stop within the distance you can see. Pity, pedestrians are not subjected to breathalyser tests.

Band of Merry Men

Last but certainly not the least is the Band of Merry Men. These little ones can create big problems; you can't even yell at them without being censured by others.

Romping on the road, chasing a kite or running on the road to retrieve a ball (that might just been a sixer for a batting team), these children have disdain for you or your car. Slow down whenever you see them and give them room.