Road rage is a common problem these days. It is common to feel frustration at the sight of empty space in front of a car with a learner’s board. This frustration heightens if this situation occurs in a busy and crowded road at peak traffic with various other vehicles blowing their horns like there is no tomorrow. Another situation is the sight of a person driving at 20 km/h in the middle of a wide road, which makes overtaking absolutely impossible even though the road in front of this driver is empty of other vehicles. Speed is essential as the power of each vehicle increases and when a person is unable to rev at a desired speed for at least a few minutes, then the frustration takes over and what comes next is nothing but rash driving.
Then come the two-wheelers and three-wheelers trying to squeeze into the tiniest gaps or revving at high speeds from the left to the right of the road leaving the four-wheelers completely responsible for any sort of misfortune that might befall them. The buses hold their own with no regard for others on the road, stopping at the centre of a highway to pick up passengers and racing each other to get to the next set of passengers. Small cars trouble drivers in big cars by showing no respect for lane principles and bigger cars show brawn and valiantly pass smaller cars who know that their damage will be greater in a brawl.
If a driver tries to obey traffic rules and red lights after 11 at night, then he/she must be ready to have their ears blown off with the symphony of various horns. Soon, even for a good driver, the tension and pressure of driving on congested roads increases and the driver molds his/her attitude and driving style to that of everyone else. After being on the receiving end, it feels good to give some back, even if it is not to the same people.
However, most times playful banter can go out of control of the driver and that is when complete chaos and carnage reigns. Backing off or refusing to race in the middle of a crowded street does not make one inferior to another – however, this does not seem to be the Indian way!
Article Submitted by Pramod
Labels: indian roads, road transport
The idea of owning a Ferrari is considered as the ultimate statement by many in India, even by those who do not own a car. People in India have got a glimpse of Ferrari only in F1 races. True Ferrari cars come with FI gearbox and superb power, but that is for those who can afford its fantastic price as well.
There were rumours that the car will arrive in India by 2008, through its parent company Fiat. But the idea was shelved due to some reason. The company chose to get a first hand feedback on Indian terrain.
Thus was born the Magic of Discovery of India. The Ferrari’s Magic Discovery of India has completed its course of over two months in India. The two 612 Scagliettis covered a total of 13,000 kilometers in over 70 days. Started in Feb last week it reached its last destination the Taj Hotel in Mumbai on May 8. Similar event were conducted in 2005 under the name China 15,000 Red Miles tour, the Panamerican 20,000 tour in 2006 and last year’s 60th anniversary around-the-world relay. The event was supported by Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, Taj Hotels, Shell, Fiat India Pvt. Ltd., Alcoa, Pirelli, Saima Avandero and OMR.
The cars have come back with lot of stories to tell. We hope that most of them are positive.
Labels: Ferrari Magic India Discovery Tour, indian roads
Honking one’s car is considered rude in many countries but it’s a must do thing in India. It’s an extension of saying “get out of my way.” Car driving in India is so chaotic that one cannot even get a tiny piece of road to pass by without honking. Adding salt to the wound are daring pedestrians and cyclists who cross the car’s path just when drivers are speeding across the roads.
Honking is an integral part of driving in India. It doesn’t matter if you are in front of a school or a hospital. “Honking your cars has become necessary”, say respondents to a survey of Television Channel that was covering the ‘No Honking day’ observed in Mumbai on April 7th. As many as 15 lakh people participated in the campaign to quietly protest against this new menace.
Labels: Car driving, indian roads, Mumbai
I came across this site recently and decided to contribute to it. I am from Europe and am here on an exchange study tour. I have driven around in some of my friend’s
small cars in India and find it queer that the bonnet is placed such that the person
driving cannot see what’s right in front of the car. I do not know if I should look at the right of the car or the left, which is quiet impossible to see.
I wonder how people drive around on “assumptions”, as my friend puts it. It is amazing that most people in India have mastered this technique. Also flustering is the masses of three-wheel cars and two-wheelers who seem to constantly surround and escort you from the time you start till you reach your destination – absolute chaos!
I have decided to stop brooding over these matters and sit blissfully ignorant beside my smart Indian friend who drives like his hair is on fire!
Article Submitted by BethLabels: Driving, indian roads, small cars
