Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Say what, why don't we people organise a drive across the city showing the others how systematic driving would be? I guess that if a group of cars come together and drive sensibly, following all the rules and not cut lanes, at least people will get to know what it is to drive well.

Whenever I go out, I make it a point to stay within a straight lane, leave way for people crossing the road, and zero tolerance for people coming on the wrong side. Most of the cases, one idiot cuts the lane and ten vehicles follow. Hence, we could organise a Sunday drive and show these idiots how civilised people should drive. We can focus on lane discipline, giving way to people at zebra crossings, maintaining distance and so on.

At least, I believe other personal cars will learn a thing or two if not the useless auto drivers or cabbies. Even two wheeler riders can create an example on the road by wearing safety gear, and mainly not zipping across lanes. That will show what TBhp is since most of the guys who have approached me on the road ask if its some racing team

No doubt a good initiative that will be welcomed by one and all. But in reality i dont foresee proper lane driving by the commuters courtesy the cabbies and sense of urgency to reach destination (by flouting rules) courtesy the pathetic road condition.
This is not only showing in city driving but also on the highways especially at toll plazas where the super intelligent commuters form their own line.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

No doubt a good initiative that will be welcomed by one and all. But in reality i dont foresee proper lane driving by the commuters courtesy the cabbies and sense of urgency to reach destination (by flouting rules) courtesy the pathetic road condition.
This is not only showing in city driving but also on the highways especially at toll plazas where the super intelligent commuters form their own line.

Agree with your view. Achieving an ideal traffic situation is impossible, say we cant ensure such practices in narrow roads etc. Also, cabbies cannot be taught driving manners. I wanted to target personal vehicles, most of which try to mimic the antics of cabbies. Like today, there was a queue of vehicles, and I was on my scoot. I just stood behind the last car. A biker came and stood behind me. There comes another hero who cuts the queue, and the guy behind me follows him. In a similar case, if I had a couple of bikers with me who were following a line, a person would be more ashamed to break the line. Of course for the extreme people, there's always the law. But for people who aren't aware of rules, or try to follow the wrong people, such examples can be corrected.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Agree with your view. Achieving an ideal traffic situation is impossible, say we cant ensure such practices in narrow roads etc. Also, cabbies cannot be taught driving manners. I wanted to target personal vehicles, most of which try to mimic the antics of cabbies. Like today, there was a queue of vehicles, and I was on my scoot. I just stood behind the last car. A biker came and stood behind me. There comes another hero who cuts the queue, and the guy behind me follows him. In a similar case, if I had a couple of bikers with me who were following a line, a person would be more ashamed to break the line. Of course for the extreme people, there's always the law. But for people who aren't aware of rules, or try to follow the wrong people, such examples can be corrected.

The situation in bangalore is such that even a sane person who respects and follows road rules will become completely insane after seeing the mess in the city.

1. If you stop the car to allow the pedestrians to cross, either some one behind you will honk persistently or overtake your car from behind putting the pedestrians lives at risk.
2. In a traffic signal if you maintain sufficient distance from the vehicle in front of you, within minutes this gap will be filled by moronic 2 wheelers.
3. While taking a left or right turn assuming you prefer to take a larger turn, invariably some moronic driver will squeeze in the gap provide by you thereby putting you in a spot of bother.
4. While driving if someone in front of you jams the brakes suddenly and you do the same and avoid rear ending his/her vehicle, you could still be in trouble as the moron coming behind you will be literally tailgating you.
5. Say you are waiting in a signal and the countdown starts from 10 seconds. People behind you will honk like mad urging you to take off even before the signal turns green.

These are some of the points that come to my mind. if you wish to add some more that would be great.

[KiloAlpha]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

...
5. Say you are waiting in a signal and the countdown starts from 10 seconds. People behind you will honk like mad urging you to take off even before the signal turns green.

There is some logic behind this, actually. While I wouldn't honk or pressurise the person in front, I have found that about 25% of the population will begin to consider moving after the signal goes green. So, it will be about 10-15 seconds after the signal goes green that they might actually start moving.

[ramzsys]

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha

There is some logic behind this, actually.

The honking also nudges the smart citizens to come out of their smartphone worlds.

[paragsachania]

Well it is also an indication to those countless Spendors and Discover 125s to:
-Slide their helmet down
-Keep that cellphone in the pocket
-Twist that key from OFF to Ignition Positon
-Lift their right leg to kick start
(Oh no,he still wont start . Check next step)
-Turn his head around to stare at those who were honking at him
-One Kick,Fail,Two Kicks,Start......
-Twist the throttle 3 times
-Engage the clutch
-Engage first gear
-Bye Bye (see you again at the next signal)
You - Already finished listening to half a song and the light turns Amber!!!

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Well it is also an indication to those countless Spendors and Discover 125s to:
-Slide their helmet down
-Keep that cellphone in the pocket
-Twist that key from OFF to Ignition Positon
-Lift their right leg to kick start
(Oh no,he still wont start . Check next step)
-Turn his head around to stare at those who were honking at him
-One Kick,Fail,Two Kicks,Start......
-Twist the throttle 3 times
-Engage the clutch
-Engage first gear
-Bye Bye (see you again at the next signal)
You - Already finished listening to half a song and the light turns Amber!!!

:lol

I thought of getting an ABS plastic nudge guard fitted in front of my car. Play games with me and get bulldozed off the road

Some smart people keep engine running for around 40secs, then decide they should save fuel. The signal goes green within a few more seconds. I do understand the situation since I use the two wheeler too, but I make it a point to start 15-20 seconds before the signal turns green, or if I am way behind the traffic then I fire the engine when the light goes green. This will let the engine idle for a bit before I gun it. End of the day, people lack awareness. That's the main problem of all.

[mpksuhas]

Yesterday at HSR layout on 17th cross there were cars parked randomly all along the road causing slow moving traffic. Then in front of MishMash restaurant is this guy, parked the tractor blocking half carriageway.

Not sure what is the reason for the same since he could have parked the vehicle parallel to the road and filled water, guess it is to avoid blocking the restaurant entry.

Bad roads is part of the issue, stupid drivers like this is another. Anyways, have posted the same on BTP public eye.

[binand]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Yesterday at HSR layout on 17th cross there were cars parked randomly all along the road causing slow moving traffic. Then in front of MishMash restaurant is this guy, parked the tractor blocking half carriageway.

That reminds me of something I saw on Old Airport Road at Marathahalli yesterday. An Ape was parked on the eastbound carriageway, close to the divider, blocking the entire lane. People were unloading stuff from it and taking them across the street to a store on the opposite side - big items; stuff that needed multiple people to carry. Result? Chaos on both carriageways. And all this because the Ape guy couldn't be bothered to go a few metres ahead till the gap in the median and take a U-turn.

[arunphilip]

Originally Posted by binand

An Ape was parked

That describes both the vehicle and driver perfectly.

[glenmz]

Cant agree with you more on this!!! This is the exact same same issues I face all day every day when I drive in Bangalore.
I would also like to add overtaking from the left, too close to the vehicle.

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

1. If you stop the car to allow the pedestrians to cross, either some one behind you will honk persistently or overtake your car from behind putting the pedestrians lives at risk.

We have a habit of not stopping the vehicle for pedestrians. Also, I feel those speed breakers double up as zebra crossings in Bangalore. The administration has kept a speed breaker whereever a zebra crossing is required. It is so difficult to cross the road at Marthahalli ORR during evenings. Whenever certain drivers see a pedestrian, they gun for the throttle to get past!!

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

2. In a traffic signal if you maintain sufficient distance from the vehicle in front of you, within minutes this gap will be filled by moronic 2 wheelers.

Yes, and all they time they come up from the left! And they are not bothered if they cause a scratch or not.

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

3. While taking a left or right turn assuming you prefer to take a larger turn, invariably some moronic driver will squeeze in the gap provide by you thereby putting you in a spot of bother.

I prefer taking a larger turn when taking U turns as it helps me complete tit in a single go. But then, even with the blinkers on, I see those morons squeezing in as if they do not care for their lives at all. Once a biker almost fell into the gutter when he attempted to overtake me at a left turn. Yes, I had my blinkers on.

[ambivalent_98]

Originally Posted by bejoy

Not sure if you tried the Panathur route that joins Kaadubeesanahalli. Basically you take the rear gate exit from Adarsh/RMZ Ecoworld and proceed left and continue behind Cisco until you hit Panathur main road. This road is also equally choked at times, but much better than going till Sarjapur road junction.

I have tried this route. I take as a last resort. This comes with its share of problems. The road inside the premises gets worst and outside is like an SUV test track. I drive a Vento which has good road clearance but then its still a sedan and I have had my shares of underbody scrapes. Anyway life would be simpler if I could just come out of the gate of Ecoworld and take a right under controlled traffic and go towards Marathahalli.

Originally Posted by vnabhi

I guess there are many decent drivers like you in Bangalore, going by the aberrations you've pointed out. There are far too many of that clan in Hyderabad. When I first shifted to this city, I used to get exasperated by such errant driving. But I've gradually got acclimatised to it.

As the age old saying goes "when in Rome, do as the Romans do'.

I lived in Hyderabad and then I shifted to Bangalore. I learnt that in Hyderabad whatever your chassis weight you should always stop halfway while making a u-turn or any turn which will obstruct the oncoming traffic. You must to this fearlessly and without any expression. The people who curse you are the crazy. You have conquered all in this world and have the right of way but you still stop halfway to make sure that you din this in the head of others ignoramuses coming down the road.

When I shifted to Bangalore I realised following rules makes you stand out. Its like being a bright red colored animal in a land of zebras. So if you want to tackle this , play the game of errant cabbies with them. One thing is they can't stand you , second thing is you blend in with the crowd and become another zebra.

An amusing incident was that once in a lot of traffic after lots of people overtook me from the left I followed suit. I overtook a two wheeler riding gent from the left blatantly and then had to slow down. He was cross since I had done exactly what he did to me. Guess what he had to say ," Man you are crazy. You are driving like a two wheeler." Of course I had nothing to say but smiled and then he realised what he had done on a two wheeler and he was not immune to getting something back.

[Soumyajit9]

Found this in BTP Facebook Page.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by NPV

Yes the median gap in front of prestige's gate 2 is open again for U Turns today. Seems like the experiment to close it failed miserably. The concrete blocks were stacked up on the median today.

Back to experimentation time again for our traffic cops. The gap in the median in front of Prestige Shantiniketan gate 2 was blocked around 4pm so saw folks turning right at next signal towards EPIP and then making a U turn to head back in opposite direction to go towards Hoodi.

Every day is different and has surprises for White fielders

[rajakumar]

Broken heavy truck on the right lane near ISRO junction (karthick nagar). Expect traffic jam on marthahalli to karthick nagar side if the truck is not removed.