Right of way
Well.. the time has come for a direct assault on the state of India. But as my resources are limited to a screen and my motivation is that of good-will, the attack is going to be restricted to one criticism.
Now, in Australia and as far as I know, every country with even a remote claim to be civilized, the right of way is given to pedestrians.
In both India and Nepal pedesrians do not have the right of way. It has ledto a state of predatory driving and use of vehicles as offensive weapons. Of course not all drivers are guilty of it but many are.
Recently I went up to the roof of the hostel and watched the traffic, unobserved. Around half the vehicles evidenced signs of predatory driving and inappropriate use of their warning device.
It is true that on narrow winding streets full of blind corners, use of the horn is necessary.. but.. it is abused to the point of mania and the traffic is way too fast.
In my (old) lonely planet guide book it mentions that 6 pedestrians per day in delhi are skittled (fatally) .since then it has probably increased…
But its not danger of being hit by traffic that is way too fast and dangerous that concerns me as much as the noise drivers make with their horns. They speed through crowded narrow streets with horns blasting like shark among minnows. IT IS A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD.
In traditional religion.. water is sacred.. air is sacred.. but even more sacred still is the ether. The akash. In India it is violated more seriously than any element.
The right of way in Australia is given to pedestrians . if pedestrians abuse the right too much then they will be hit sooner or later. But the reverse is not true.. abusive drivers here plow through the streets with impunity.
Some of the worst offenders are actually the police and military. its incredible. People are just not aware of how big a shock it is to the system. As if the air pollution from old and worn out engines wasn’t bad enough.!!!
The right of way in Australia is given to pedestrians. Australia’s sins are many but pedestrianism isn’t one of them.
Its time India and Nepal reigned in the abuse on the road. It is aggressive and violent. Outside the temple ( or mosque ) on the road is the place to practice ahimsa. (salaam/islaam)Right of way
Guys!!! Get real about the road rules!!! People will stop coming here if you don’t. its unnecessary and simply too stressful.
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