“Pedestrian Mannerisms”

One of my best friends in college times used to love driving. I did not follow his passions then as I didn’t know driving …but now I can understand why many simply love driving….its something which can really take your fun “long way”!!

Well, so as I am inside the vehicle and driving I will give my biased view of a driver about pedestrians outside….

In our country potholes are biggest deterrent to enjoy the driving but to me equally bad are the pedestrians…..for once we have footpaths ………and it always eludes me why cant we use them. Now I know a lot of footpaths have encroachments but then is it an excuse to walk on the roads which are meant for vehicles? While crossing one should be using “Zebra Crossing” but we rarely have them on crossings, so basic issue here, will always be neglected. Also the punching bag (the Perfect Government), is to be blamed for not having enough sub-ways. In Thane at Teen Hat Naka, I think there is one of the biggest crossings in Mumbai, but for last so many years we have not been able to envisage a sub-way there. An unfinished sub-way at Nitin Company, which is also a risky crossing, may get completed precisely when next elections are in the corner.

There are a lot of things that should be tought at school level but unfortunately they are not…but to me there are a some things that can be learnt through common sense. I have constantly observed parents walking on the road who keep their children towards the flowing traffic…. Well it may sound cruel but it reminds me a story of “Akbar-Birbal and a Monkey” but again common sensical part here is- how do we assume children to know anything when their parents are totally ignorant about it? Vehicles are constantly keeping their eyes on traffic signals and their count-downs. But how many of us keep eyes on traffic signal while crossing? That’s one of the ways to make road crossings simpler. Why is that we always over-estimate our abilities? Ask those who run while road crossing. What’s the point in challenging the speed of the vehicle….I have always observed while we cross all of us eagerly look at the vehicle speeding towards us but we hardly ever see that behind approaching vehicle there is hardly any traffic. So why not control our ego for a while and cross the road in peace? (And in one piece also)

Recently there was a vexatious order by Mumbai RTO, which banned usage of mobile by drivers completely- that can be separate topic-Likewise there can be a similar order for walkers also. What’s so important to talk when a vehicle is fatally approaching us? Why we want to rely on drivers’ brakes rather than our own sense and judgement? But the main concern is when parents are carrying their children…..have you ever seen a parent literally dragging a child while road crossing? Why to risk the life of your child if you can be wiser? I have always wondered what effect children would be having sub-consciously on their minds when they witness elders’ behaviour. But the most annoying thing as a driver –when you honk to remind walkers of their duties, the walkers give best to give you their glaring looks. Now that’s always a funny site.

Also I would like to add bicyclists in the list of “pedestrians”, as by RTO rules they are not suppose to hold any driving license. But then they sometimes can be huge nuisance. There are people carrying huge loads on the back of their bicycles….and ultimately they end up loosing balance of the bicycle and cause traffic jam. Also school students who ride bicycles must be trained properly to understand traffic rules. They should be issued some sort licenses which will not only smoothen traffic but also will help in case of accident as a proof of identification and blood group. Now I am well aware of “Administrative Difficulties” but then if something is warranted then we have to take initiatives.

A departure from main topic but equally important issue of crossings is of Railway Crossings – the casualties in this case are more and the entire issue is very grave but basic question is left unanswered. What’s more important than our own life which can’t wait for 5-10 minutes?

Now, I am not at all saying drivers are the saner among two, when I am a walker there are certain things that strike me really hard. As drivers, there are certain rules that we must follow even they are not written in the law books. It doesn’t really hurt our time schedule if we let senior citizens, parents carrying children and physically and mentally challenged people cross road in peace. When we are nearby schools and hospitals, there bound to be traffic, so it’s our responsibility to see that students and patients cross safely.

Our Government can do a lot to insure the safety on roads but some unwritten rules can make everyone even safer…………..

N.D.K. Nikhil