By Vimal Kapoor
A few days ago, I ventured out in the afternoon to visit my bank and my car got engulfed in a traffic jam as various schools on Rajpur Road went off simultaneously. The road near ‘Survey Chawk’ was filled with vehicles of all types, from cars and vikrams to motorcycles and buses, all striving to move forward. The air was filled with exhaust fumes, and incessant honking by a few car drivers added to the chaos. As I peered into the cars around me I noticed the drivers desperately trying to maneuver through the congestion, their stress levels were shooting north – apparent in the tight grip on their steering wheels and the scowls on their faces, though there was no space to maneuver or change lanes as vehicles were jostling bumper to bumper.
I too was getting edgy as just a few minutes were left for the lunch hour at the bank. Beggars were having a gala time; since the vehicles were stationary there was no escaping their aggressive demands, a few tribal ladies selling boxes of tissue papers also chipped in. As the jam continued, tempers started flaring as a few drivers became increasingly agitated while the two wheelers tried to weave in and out of the traffic. A couple of drivers rolled down their windows and with sweat on their brows started yelling at other commuters blaming them for the mess. Stress and frustration was spilling all around. To add to the confusion an ambulance arrived with a blaring siren, everyone felt helpless, realizsng there could be a medical emergency. The vehicle with the Red Cross was unable to cut through the disarray. Welcome to Doon’s new avtaar!
Once upon a time, words like ‘laidback’, ‘serene’, and ‘tranquil’ were used to describe the charms of Doon. Now chaotic, ‘messy’ and ‘frenzied’ are the adjectives for this state capital. Doon Valley’s roads are becoming gradually more hazardous and there is no doubt about it, gone are the golden days when traffic moved smoothly and there were hardly any jams. After the setting up of Doon as the capital of Uttarakhand, the renowned builders and so-called big players moved in and the entire scenario changed radically. Traffic discipline and road safety are amongst the most imperative and vital issues that beckon all of us as we step out of our safe havens every day.
It is observed that the majority of fatal accidents in Uttarakhand involve youngsters who are fresh driving licence holders! To this group, I would like to say that the first thing you should do is remove any disturbances that are currently making you feel uneasy and one of the main distractions for young drivers can be friends in the car or behind you on two-wheelers. The horrific car crash near FRI with youngsters in it is still fresh in our minds. The risk of teen drivers dying in a crash multiplies manifold if friends are in the car. This can be due to a lack of concentration or trying to impress. ‘Mobile mania’ is also one reason for mishaps. All of us just cannot have enough of this wonder gadget. As soon as it beeps we invariably reach for it, curious as to who has messaged! Not only is it unlawful to use your phone whilst driving, but just the sound of it going off can also be distracting. If you keep your phone on silent when you’re driving it could stop you from even thinking about it.
Even though the Doon traffic authorities have deployed efficient traffic officers, armed with high-tech cameras and powerful bikes, and are forever on the prowl, traffic violations seem to go on and on. These officers attired in black dresses bring lots of offenders to book; nevertheless, disrespect for norms goes on unabated. One comes across students on two-wheelers, rushing along with backpacks on their shoulders, speeding, zipping through red lights, and weaving across moving buses and other heavy vehicles; adrenaline is obviously surging at their age.
“Better a thousand times careful than once dead” is an old proverb. “Jaan hai to jahan hai!”
(Vimal Kapoor, a Dehradun resident, is passionate about literature, creative writing, cricket and exploration through travel)
