Chandigarh has traditionally been an oasis when it comes to driving discipline. People everywhere are same but the enforcement of rules and conditioning of mind are two important elements in our behaviour behind the wheels. This is where Chandigarh triumphs Mohali, Zirakpur and Panchkula handsomely. When I say people are the same , I mean one would find the driver driving a car with Chandigarh registered number also taking it easy the moment he or she leaves the City Beautiful behind. It is like a dilligent and studious boy graduating out of the School System with flying colours and then joining some Engineering College only to go astray subsequently.
What is the reason behind such behavioural change behind the wheels? Well it is nothing but poor traffic management system and lack of will to address the issues. Whenever you find a vehicle flouting the norms, most probably the number would start with PB or HR. For example, driving at high beam is a norm in Punjab and Haryana. In Zirakpur, the vehicles come from all directions and with high beam on as if their intention is to blind the other drivers. Ukraine could have destroyed Russian convoy with ease had they sought help from Punjab. Infact in one traffic light bordering Panchkula and Zirakpur , I could see cars with high beam ON while the custodians of traffic are standing right beside. The Old Ambala Road is a disaster and someday there will be a major loss to someone given the way people drive and the condition of the roads. To add to the woes, there are jaywalkers everywhere. Cows come out to take sunbath everyday and do not want to give an inch. Only if they could stay put exactly in the middle in a queue then our purposes would be solved.
With mushrooming societies, the road is getting busier by the day. The potholes are not fixed and there is a part where you feel like you are taking the staircase to an elevated road as well. PWD is turning a blind eye to such miserable conditions. I am sure local residents would have raised the matter many times but there seems to be zero monitoring and corrective action. The road divider is being dismissed by some and they are so hell bent on reaching first that it does not matter if they are driving on the wrong side. Someday someone may even flatten out the divider. Even dividers created using Ambuja Cement won't hold up here. Its MY WAY or MY WAY ONLY here. Then there are those high powered fancy LEDs which almost pierces through you as you approach that oncoming vehicle. I wonder what purpose these serve other than adding to the "Coolness" of Dad's Gift. Bikers, on the otger hand, behave like babies and are desperate to hug daddy(read cars) at every available opportunity.
In one such service lane running through the length of the flyover, you will encounter drivers coming from the wrong side... arrey bhailog wrong side se aa bhi rahe ho toh atleast ek hi side se aao na.. right ya left... dono side se toh nahi. You are made to feel guilty and left wondering whether they are flouting the rules or you are. The traffic cops stationed at Old Ambala Road or at Singhpura try their best but their condition is that of a person trying to keep a paper boat floating at sea. There are no lights to help them and even if the lights are installed, the likelihood of strict enforcement is anybody's guess. I found it funny to observe that there are two different worlds on both sides of Sector 39 lights.
I would be lying if I say that I can do no wrong and I admit that I have made mistakes occasionally too. Each day is a learning experience. If you happen to make a mistake, own up and pay the fine. Do not negotiate for it gives one a sense of entitlement and also stops being a deterrent for future compliance. If you are confident of not having made a mistake, then stand your ground. Traffic cops have a very difficult job to do and its not easy to keep composure. Things will improve only if we all do our parts well.
To close, I have always been a very patient soul. I never used slang while driving in Chandigarh but in Punjab, the patience is being put to test and I have picked up a slang or two as well. Aa saale... 😉
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