The road ahead is getting deadly by the day in a peace loving city like Pune. Today, road rage has become a huge menace, assuming life-threatening proportions. From a mere exchange of unpleasantries, road rage has led to murders in the city.
The growing traffic, lack of discipline, impatience, unruly drivers, disregard for rules and jumping signals are some of the main causes. The lack of police at strategic points also adds to the problem. The unorganised and unmanned one-way systems have also created chaos. To cap it all, there are too many vehicles around in the city and the infrastructure is inadequate to handle this growth.
But these are issues one faces on a daily basis in most metros, and it is now up to the individual to do something about it. The time has come to get selfish to save your own life.
Here are a few things you could do to save yourself:
- Stay calm at all times. Never easy, but just do it.
- It’s not your fault, but don’t try telling that to the guy who cuts lanes or rubs past your vehicle. He is never going to admit if he hasn’t said sorry to you.
- Anger management is vital. Do some deep breathing exercises to control your rage.
- Music is the magic to gain control. Shift focus to calm your nerves.
- If someone rolls down his window and curses at you, don’t ever retaliate.
- Avoid eye contact with the abuser.
- Don’t make obscene gestures or flash the finger. This will add fuel to the fire and may end up in disaster. Also, avoid making faces.
- Roll up your window or if already rolled up, keep it that way.
- Never get off your vehicle to argue. You are then open to physical assault.
- Those on two-wheelers, or for that matter, cars, just scoot.
- Don’t honk overly if somebody ahead is driving slowly due to other distractions. Let them be. If you overdo the honking, there is every chance that there must be a psychopath lurking in that car.
- Avoid blocking lanes. And don’t park in the middle of the road to ask for directions.
- If you made a mistake, admit it and try to diffuse the situation with a smile. If it gets out of hand, reason with the person in a pleasant way.
- Importantly, don’t take traffic problems personally. It happens all the time and every day. Forgive and forget.
- Ignoring is bliss and often a blessing.
Every time we get on to the road, we are putting our lives at risk. A little bit of caution can go a long way in getting home in one piece.
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