Last decade and a half has seen a phenomenal rise in the number of vehicles plying the Indian roads. Increased buying power meant two wheeler owners graduated to cars and car owners bought more cars. Liberal loan policies added to the buyer's capacity without realizing whether there is any space on the roads.
Almost all global vehicle manufacturers have setup shop in India. Some have assembly lines while others bring in fully manufactured units.
This surge in the number of vehicles on roads has almost chocked the traffic conditions. Traffic authorities are always in a fire fighting mode to regulate and ensure smooth flow of traffic at both peak and non-peak hours.
Increased number of vehicles also meant more drivers on the roads with not all of them being so conversant with driving or safety rules and regulations. In fact has deteriorated and recklessness has given rise to road rage.
Traffic in all Indian metros of Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai suffers from reduced safety norms. City and Highway driving has reached appalling conditions.
The Central Motor Vehicle Act states stringent rules for motor vehicles and driving them on the roads. But the reality is just opposite. Lower levels of enforcement and lack of basic education on the part of drivers leads to an almost chaos on the roads. Reduced patience levels only add fuel to the burning rage.
Another reason for this condition is the mixture of all types of vehicles on the road, from hand drawn carts to fast moving cars to heavy commercial vehicles. Situation is worst in cities outside Metros.
In the recent times road rage cases have steadily increased and some have very violent and even fatal ending. If one was to assess these cases it would be evident that not all were clear cut road rage cases. Quite often it is the poor driving skills of a driver that irritates other drivers to an extent till one of them loses control and reacts violently.
Poor road conditions are also to blame the chaotic scenario. Uneven surface and pot holes cause extensive wear and tear to the vehicle and add stress to driving.
Indian highways cover a total of more than 65,000 kms but most of them are single lane and do not conform to world standards. Government has taken up a massive project across the country to build world class highways to improve road connectivity and bring the country closer.
Still the chaos rules the roads and there is hardly a moment when you can relax attention at the cost of an unfortunate incident. is far less than a pleasure activity that you can engage into.
