Chaotic Bangalore traffic

Chaotic Bangalore traffic
Deccan Herald

Steps should be taken towards improving traffic by firstly enforcing the rules

As one who was tempted to move to Bangalore by its past reputation and its (now-receding) image as a modern and progressive city I have been watching with interest and concern the various exercises at various levels to restore some sanity on the Bangalore roads.

Bangalore traffic has come in for severe condemnation of late thanks to the depressing state of the roads, the number of vehicles on them and the disorderly way in which these vehicles move. Hopes of making the local traffic as disciplined as that in places like Singapore are futile as, to start with, the variety of vehicles ranges here from the bullock cart to the latest automobile, all of them using the same road without restriction.

Two wheelers and autos are the bane of Bangalore traffic as they weave their reckless, suicidal way through lines of cars and buses. Buses and lorries mindlessly jockey for positions. The infrastructure situation has become a contentious issue with which political parties, government and the trade berate each other. The media has a field day. Roads are caving in or breaking up and if neither happens they are dug up. Solutions prescribed for the traffic mayhem are more fly-overs, no fly-overs, underpasses, overpasses, Metro rail, monorail, separate days for odd number cars and even number cars, pedestrian roads etc.etc. but the problem lives on.

While numerous grandiose plans are being debated, can Police make an immediate beginning with strict enforcement of the existing elementary rules of the road ? There are simple mandatory requirements such as to keep left, overtake on the right, give way to traffic from the right at circles, maintaining lane discipline, no bus stops at corners, no parking at bus stops and so on. Lakhs of rupees are being spent on marking the road with yellow lines, single, double, zebra crossings etc. What is the purpose when those who drive are either unaware of the significance or ignore it with disdain ?

It will be a suicidal pedestrian who steps onto the zebra crossing in Bangalore hoping to enforce his right to total respect from the vehicles. In some countries abroad mere contact of a vehicle with a pedestrian on a zebra crossing is heavily penalised. In Bangalore there is the additional need for the pedestrian to watch out for vehicles coming from right and left !

Bangalore may or may not have a `lighting-up' time but there has to be some point in time in the evening when vehicles have to switch on their lights. I do not understand how I see so many vehicles with no lights, one light, no tail light while these are invisible to the policeman at the corner of the road or at the junction. Those that do have lights indulge in a `son et lumiere ' or light and sound show with all lights including high beams of headlights switched on and the incessant use of the horn.

Enforcement of existing rules and education of drivers have to be done on parallel lines. Driving schools must be regulated or accredited and driving tests made stricter. When driving licences are available in absentia how can there be good driving ? Monthly and annual campaigns against traffic offences are useless. Driving and pedestrian standards need to be enforced throughout the year.