The fact that Delhiites have anger issues is quite well-known. Of all the road accidents that occur due to erratic driving or flouting traffic rules, a huge number take place in our beloved city. To add a cherry on top of this situation, we hardly show any remorse for our bad driving manners.
Pedestrians? Who are they?
While owning a car in the West is considered a necessity, it is a symbol of status-quo in India, especially in Delhi. Probably this is why the poor pedestrians are not worth a dime for the arrogant ones behind the wheel. Power is a very intoxicating affair. Some of the greatest philosophers like Michel Foucault delved upon the theory of power and its components deeply, which comes quite handy in evaluating the mental schema of a person. In this case, the person driving feels a sense of superiority, which more often than not overcomes his/her moral notions about looking at pedestrians as people too.
Full Power Road Rage
Using foul language, unnecessarily honking at people, bumping into other’s vehicles are all very common scenarios on Delhi roads. Sadly, all of this has become a part of our daily lives. There’s no limit to the level of aggression that the gaddiwalas show towards fellow commuters. Nowadays, people don’t hesitate in picking up a fight in the middle of the road even if its for just a little scratch on their vehicle. Mind you, some of these hooligans won’t even spare women and senior citizens. They love to cause inconvenience to people and simply have no control on their mouths or even their hands.
No Parking Etiquettes
Cars parked in the middle of the road blocking your path is a way of life. Even in parking lots, people are often found quarrelling for not getting enough space to take their car out. As they say, Delhi is an expanding web that will soon gnaw at itself. The skyrocketing increase in car sales is leading to further problems for the city roads that are anyway jammed most of the times.
Break the Rules and Bend them
It is all about using the right connections and getting out the big bucks when it comes to breaking of traffic rules. As you all know, every Delhiite is somehow related to a politician or a bureaucrat. That leaves hardly any room for doubting their prowess when it comes to getting out of a messy situation. Late night long drives at high speed, partying in the car with liquor and pot often tend to go ‘unnoticed’ by the cops.
PS: Everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere and be someone of importance. However, that sure does not justify the utterly irresponsible attitude of selfishness in a city that claims to be the cultural and political heart of the country. Really, what message are we sending out to the entire nation and the world at large if we cannot control the ingrained anger and impatience?
