Stop At Red
It comes as a surprise to many that Aqua Foundation is running a campaign titled “Use your Head- Stop at Red”. How is traffic sense linked to environment? Well… Researches worldwide have proved that bad traffic conditions are directly linked to higher level of emissions and poor air quality.
The constant acceleration and braking of stop-and-go traffic burns more fuel, and therefore pumps more pollutants into the air. Whenever someone jumps the lane, traffic at back has to break, starting a chain reaction of traffic slow down, followed by acceleration again.
Jumping red light is one of the least punished crime in India. It puts lives in danger, contributes to huge traffic jams, and yet the punishment is very mild. The consequences are evident. Cases of road rages are increasing, with more fatalities than ever. Let’s accept the fact that we are living in one of the most crowded cities of the world, with a very high population of vehicles. Problem is further compounded by heterogeneity of our traffic, cyclists, two-wheelers, cars, buses, slow moving earth movers, dumpers, and at times cattle, all share the same road space. Now that’s a fact which can not be changed overnight. What can be changed is our response to this. Typically we respond with frustration, irritation and turn into a wild animal as soon as we hit the road. Ready to fight, to shout, and to kill. Let’s look at possible solutions to these problems as responsible citizens:
Lane Driving:
The rarest sight in Delhi is to have traffic running in proper lanes, even if road is not crowded. It’s not uncommon to see vehicles running right on the dividing lines of two lanes even at stretches like DND Flyover. As soon as traffic density increases, 7-8 lanes develop in a 3 lane road. We all see it everyday, and are part of it. What’s important is to realize that by doing so, we are adding to traffic jams, are running a risk of brushing pass other vehicle, and overall putting our safety in jeopardy. Respecting lane driving is first step towards safe driving. And again, let’s not wait for others to do that, lets make the beginning. Others will follow.
Honking:
This is truly unique of India in general and Delhi in particular. We honk a lot……and mostly for wrong reasons. In most of the countries honking is taken as shouting, and there are good chances that the other person feels offended. We need to understand that honking paints us as uneducated, un-civilized and un-cultured. Honk only when you have to….to warn the driver whose car is rolling back at you etc. And please never ever honk at the red-light on a waiting driver. That’s almost criminal. You want to jump the red-light, and you are shouting at the person in front of you to commit the same crime. That’s criminal.
Mid Road Arguments:
One of the most common site in Delhi is to have couple of cars standing right in the middle of the road, and their drivers engaged in heated arguments over whose fault was it, completely ignoring the huge pile up of traffic resulting out of their act. At times it’s almost impossible to spot even the damage. Yet, we decide to argue and settle the score, right in the middle of the road. This is criminal……… We are making strong recommendation to Delhi Government to put an end to this practice of blocking traffic by imposing heavy penalty on the offenders. Even if there is an accident, and there is damage to vehicles, it simply does not justify stopping in the middle of the road and start fighting. After all we all have to have insurance, which covers against such losses. In case of private vehicles no ‘on the spot’ survey is required, so what justifies the act of blocking the road? Let’s collectively stop this. This will also save lives lost when these arguments turn violent.
The Campaign:
When we are patiently waiting at the red light, and someone honks from the back, urging us to jump the red light, don’t we feel like getting out and teach him a lesson? The campaign ‘Use your Head- Stop at Red’ does the same, in a safer and effective manner. With the this sticker on your back glass, chances are that you will not hear that irritating honking on red lights.
Contact us for your own sticker today on info@aquafoundation.in
