Even Flow - I

There really is very little point trying to drive on the roads of Pune while adhereing to traffic rules, signals, and right of ways. It's almost like the rule is exactly opposite of what it actually is/should be, of course, that is unless a traffic constable 'feels like' flagging you down for some palm scratching. 

Those of us who make sure our vehicles are in proper condition are stopped regularly for checks, which is OK, but buses, ricks which make it impossible for anyone around them to breathe thanks to their colour defining exhaust fumes are apparently not expected to have their pollution levels under control. 

Signals.. Try waiting at a signal for a red light to turn green, ten blokes in cars, bikes etc. are likely to honk their gonads off at you for not breaking the signal and 'saving time'. 

You might see a really dignified looking gentleman driving a really expensive big luxurious car, and some part of you might just expect the blighter at the wheel to drive, well, at least responsibly. (You might even expect him to be educated, at least in the traffic laws) But be not surprised of the afore mentioned chappie veers dangerously across the highway from the left-most lane in order to take a right turn somewhere, thereby causing ten others to swerve for their lives for screech to a halt, in turn creating problems for vehicles coming up behind them. If given a piece of the mind, you can also expect the driver to dismissively justify himself - "But I had my indicator on."

Most vehicles seem to have some kind of built in device that prevents it from overtaking on the right side. It seems like a practice unheard of. Not only do most drivers overtake on the left, they generally don't let anyone overtake them on the right side either. Even ambulances and fire brigades have it rough out there, because people take their own sweet time to get out of the way rather than let the emergency vehicles go first. There ought to be a law which can throw you in jail if you obstruct an ambulance. (I think such laws do exist in some other countries)

The general mindset is even worse, because no one gives a rat's ass about road safety. The pedestrian gets it the worst I think. Gone are the days when you could safely tell your children to walk on the footpath; it is now used by scooterists and bikers who wish to by-pass a traffic jam or a red signal queue to get ahead, or used as a safe parking zone by cars, or used by hawkers to sell whatever it is, or is generally blocked by something or the other. The pedestrian crossings have been reduced to nothing but some random paint marks. It's no wonder you hardly see anyone using them! I heard a colleague of mine say to his friend - "If you stop at a signal over the pedestrian crossing stop line, the bloody cops act as if you've crossed the line of control!" Pity that such people are loose on the streets, with a license to drive.