Driving In India :: essays research papers

Driving in India      traveling in India is an almost hallucinatory mixture of sound and sight.It is frequently heart-rending, sometimes hilarious, mostly exhilarating,almodal values unforgettable - and, when you are on the wayways, extremely dangerous.      nearly Indian road users observe a version of the Highway label based onsome ancient text or on the position of the moon. In general the 12 rules ofthe Indian road regulation areARTICLE I     The assumption of immortality is required of all road users.ARTICLE II     The following Order of Precedence must be accorded at all times. Indescending order give way to cows, elephants, heavy trucks, buses, officialcars, camels, light trucks, buffalo, jeeps, ox-carts, private cars, motorcycles,scooters, auto-rickshaws, pigs, pedal rickshaws, goats, bicycles carrying goods,handcarts, bicycles carrying passenger(s), dogs, pedestrians.ARTICLE cardinal &n bsp   All wheeled vehicles shall be driven in accordance with the byword toslow is to falter, to brake is to fail, to stop is defeat. This is the Indiandrivers mantra.ARTICLE IV      utilise of horn     Cars (IV, 1, a-c) Short pull downs indicate supremacy, i.e. in clearingdogs, rickshaws and pedestrians from path. Long blasts pull in-to doe with supplication, i.e.to oncoming truck, "I am going too fast to stop, so unless you slow down weshall both die". In extreme cases this whitethorn be accompanied by flashing ofheadlights. Single casual blast means "I fool seen someone out of Indias 870million bulk whom I recognize", "There is a bird in the road (which at thisspeed could go through my windscreen)", or "I have not blown my horn for severalminutes."     Trucks and buses (IV, 2, a) All horn signals have the same meaning, "Ihave a gross weight of 12.5 dozens and have n o intention of stopping, even if Icould." This signal may be emphasized by the use of headlights.     Article IV be subject to the provision of Order of Precedence inArticle II above.ARTICLE V     All manoeuvres, use of horn and evasive action at law shall be left until thelast possible moment.ARTICLE VI     In the absence of seat belts (which there is), car occupants shall weargarlands of marigolds. These should be unbroken fastened at all times.ARTICLE VII     Rights of Way job entering a road from the left has priority. Sohas craft from the right, and as well traffic in the middle.     Lane discipline (VII, 1) All Indian traffic at all times andirrespective of direction of travel shall reside the centre of the road.ARTICLE VIII     Roundabouts India has no roundabouts. Apparent traffic islands in themiddle of crossroads have no traffic management func tion. whatever other impressionshould be ignored.ARTICLE IX     Overtaking is mandatory. all moving vehicle is required to overtake