How to make citizens follow rules.

I agree with Photoyogi that unless we have to be the change that we want to see.  For starters all of us at Praja can make it a point to follow rules. 

• Don't jump lights whatever the time of the day or night or whether you think it safe as no cars on either direction.  Everyone's "judgement" on safety margins is different and chaos happens. 
• Drive at about 50 kmph (the average speed in Bangalore is 13-15 kmph!) - no point racing from one signal to another. 
• Give way to traffic on your right at roundabouts
• Give way to pedestrians at crossings - it takes no more than 5 secs (those 5 seconds are likely to be spent at the next red light anyway). 
• Drive in lanes. 
• Don't use the high beam at night.  It is hard enough with candlelight sort of streetlights and all sorts of obstacles.

Nothing very exotic.  But can make a big difference to the stress levels on the roads. 

Srivathsa

PhotoYogi,

Great thread to start - I think this one was overdue.

I think that there are other important elements also to consider here - Ethical standards, Integrity & Discipline of people, all of which are very, very poor. These are very difficult to cope with or change, & may likely take several decades. Photoyogi’s example highlights that even with those having well-paid jobs, these are still problem areas, not to mention people with poorer incomes, who form the bulk of the populace in this country.

All classes of people cut through any & all laid down procedures or rules to get their work done “more quickly” or “easily”, or “cheaply”, & misuse of public facilities is also rampant – we are all well aware & know this.

We can bring in barriers (as in the example), but can we have mechanisms to keep monitoring every move at every step by everyone ? Traffic signals are flouted as soon as the cop turns around, & the resultant jams are routine. Building violations, even in sophisticated & well-planned BDA layouts by the well-offs is a matter of great concern since ethical standards of the upper rungs are equally questionable.

My point here is that unless we aim at trying to improve these values of people, we would not have had a total victory in the battle. Enforcement will help play the major role in shaping this, but the war would still not be won until the day when all that the authorities need to do is just post a sign & all folks implicitly follow it !!

Srivathsa - great thoughts, & I already follow all of these, except the high-beam because of a mishap (I had earlier mentioned this - the commencement of the road divider had no reflector, & cud not be spotted in time to avert a contact, & I had crashed !  So, now, I use hi-beam as a routine, & dip lights only when vehicles are coming from ahead).

That was a confession there, but hope I didn't convey that I am dog bad on other occasions. I don't jump red signals, but do drive over 60 on ORR at times. I do overtake from left at times. I don't really let pedestrians go every time I see them waiting. I do join the 'extra' lanes that get created around every traffic light during peak hours, but don't cut someone bad to create 'new' lanes, or go on to the pavement to open an "out of band" lane.

Let six go is more of courteous driving practice I figured for myself. Being more courteous than that costs me time during my morning and evening commutes.

SB,

I cannot hope to reform a knife wielding Qualis driver.  But I can hope to reform you :)

Do you really think that courtesy costs you time?  Out of your total driving time about 40-50% goes in waiting time.  It is simply a question of waiting in long stretches at traffic lights/jams or breaking it up into smaller waiting times.  At worst it might cost you 5 minutes.  Leave home 5 mins earlier. 

Your explanation coming from someone who has lived in the US and would stop at a STOP sign is not good enough :)

Srivathsa

Roadside behaviour has very little to do with ethics. I have repeatedly said, the West is no more moral nor ethical but their roadside behaviour stands in contrast to their anti-sociality of other kinds constantly on display.

When birds (animals) can, why not humans?

 

Roadside behaviour has nothing to do with intellect or ethics but more to do with social conditioning - Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning (includes punsihment which works well only when its immediately contingent and proportionate - clearly rs 100 is dis-proportionately small to have any impact) alongside theories of social learning.

We have reprogrammed ourself, taken on the denim, McDonalds, Pepsi/Coke, Metro systems, etc as part of life - why not roadside behaviour of the West?

While I could do an hour long workshop on what I call 'Mechanics of Mind' or give a lecture here - I will briefly state here that our roadside behaviour can change within 3-4 years by reforming driver training and running sustained road safety campaigns.

We pick up habits as we grow, we re-programme them when exposed to something different (hence my video series). Ever found yourself humming the worst tune ever - a function of advertisements / TV / Radio playing that tune repeatedly. Much of our chaos can be resolved provided we spend on its reform rather than road widening, flyovers, elevated roads and the lot.

ASJ

In India, people are fined only for not holding few certificates like License, Emission or Insurance. Inspector will be sitting or standing behind his motorcycle comfortably and constable will catch hold of usually only 2 wheelers.Mostly near month ends.

Cops will never catch hold of rash driving or overspeeding or standing on zebra crossing.

I had posted earlier about increasing the fines, sharing some percent of fine amount to the cops themselves (this will improve the police department income as well as police income also instead of benefitting just police).

Also cops something like bonus points which they can redeem. Each policemen should have a target to fine. In other words they should become ridiculous to drivers which will force the people to use public transport more.

Cops never check Cars especially luxury cars. They are afraid of VIPs and VVIP sons and daughters!!.

Office cabs - those Sumos,Qualis and Indicas are the most dangerous thing that Bangalore has got.  Driving especially late in night is so dangerous because of these cabs. I had posted earlier to replace the Indicas with Nanos once it is launched since it is less powerful. Drivers will also be careful since they will be injured in an accident as well if an accident occurs. Speed will be in control.

Replace Sumos with Tata Magic - A seven seater auto based on the Tata Ace platform. Enforcing the discipline to these drivers is difficult, rather underpower them.

What chance do we stand then?  Arm  the cops with at least a stun weapon or pepper spray.  Enough is enough.  Wouldd anyone mess around with a US trooper? 

Srivathsa

else just ticket it or get a mechanism where the owner of the vehicle is auto debited for the fine or there is spot collection..why tow!?

Towing two wheelers has become a big racket with agencies involved..all they do is tow 10 two wheelers and collect fine for less than half of them and collect bribe for the rest!
This bribe thing happened right in front of me and when I complained to the officer inside(Basavanagudi PS)..hes stuck to his seat saying 'thappu..avanu madiddu thappu' thats it!
Shame on such cops!