Ouch! Our potty roads...

Travelling makes one think and rethink; the reason,our dilapidated roads. Going out is no longer a pleasure whether you are riding your vehicle or by public transport. The speed breakers are constantly cropping up to add to the agony. They come in all shapes and sizes; no standards, just a lump of tar meant to break your back or the axle. Many of these speed bumps blend in with the road and are invisible to the motorists except when you come close. Result a screeching halt and frayed nerves.
  I really feel we need to get a movement started to demand for better roads, standardised speed breakers and safer road layouts. The local administration should have the power and the responsibility to lay, maintain and improve the roads in their jurisdiction.The people too must be empowered to pullup the local officials for not caring for the infrastructure development of the local bodies.
   The bone breakers and non-standard speed breakers must be removed and well marked standard speed humps must be laid out in well researched locations.

Driving to where?

This takes you through the daily adventures of driving through our Indian roads. This is not meant to hurt anybody's feelings but only the real events which I have witnessed and experienced! I'm sure you too would have such experiences...

The population of vehicles have exploded with so many models/varieties on sale....Yet the roads remain much the same, some widened yet encroached upon, laying of new highways have given us some hope!!!

The two-wheelers are ruling the road now...Take these high powered bikes which accelerate to 60/80 kmph speed in just a few seconds. The Bajaj model 'pulsar', which is now called 'kolsar' meaning 'death bringer' in colloquial Tamil. These bikes have snatched the lives of many youngsters who have sped to their death on the ECR (East Coast Road).

These zippers like overtaking only to stop a few hundred metres away at the roadside. After overtaking, these nitwits steer directly across the overtaken vehicles' path forcing them take evasive action and slow down. While overtaking they seldom honk their horns and zip past very close scaring the living daylights out of the other driver the shivers.

The speed breakers do not break down these dashers who make a standing stunt while just bumping across the breaker. Little do they realise that they are wearing out their neck and spine vertebra..

Potholes and pits on the roads make it seem like driving through a rally mudtrack?! A consolation plaster of bitumen coat comes off in quick time making it compulsory for the driver to make a mental map of the pits and ditch locations to ensure a safe ride.

The main road intersections are a nightmare. Big trucks and other vehicles are parked just on the adjacent sides of the intersection making it very difficult for the driver to view the approaching traffic from the other lanes. This can be a recipe for disaster as the visibility is simply made worse by haphazard parking of vehicles on the sides of the intersection.

Well! you venture into the town, city or village and the going gets tougher, everybody seems to enjoy walking on the road and you need loads of patience if you have to get through without making anybody a patient! Horns or screeching brakes produce a fiery glance and a curse from many a jaywalker!

Take the highway, the simple flick of the headlight means you'd better make way or get rammed. Accelerator is meant to be jammed down and not let go for the fast and furious who just think the road is all theirs not sparing a thought for the rules or others. They jeopardize not only theirs but everyone elses' safety...

If you think driving is a pleasure...Think again, for it is now a pressure ride with uncertainity abound and anxiety untold...everyone would have their own story to tell?!!!