Road Sense Versus Road Rules
How do road users read each other using the road at the same time in a country like India, although there is no verbal interaction between them? India is still poor in road infrastructure and most of the roads are single roads or link roads. Actually a rapport or a connection develops among the regular road users.This rapport is based on an understanding as to how the other would act while using the road.This is one form of road sense and strangely enough more trusted than traffic rules which are meant for ensuring safe and smooth traffic flow.
This phenomenon of knowing about the other and acting accordingly proves highly useful to avoid unpleasant incidents or serious accidents specially on congested roads in India. An intelligent road user even in unavoidable and critical conditions has the ability to lower down the intensity and degree of damage and casualties. This is the ability of using road and vehicle in a safe manner and taking decision without delay. It is notable that some people meet with least accidents and some people meet with greater number of accidents.
The element of chance cannot be ruled out, but surely most accidents are preventable by road sense. It is interesting to note that regional road sense plays a major role among road users. A regional road sense develops by being habitual to prevailing practices around. In a given area people may be used to fast driving, rash driving, and seem daring and agile in handling vehicle safely in congested areas. If by chance a driver from a different region happens to drive in such unfamiliar conditions there is an increased possibility of accident. The reason being the inability to act according to the newly developed situation.This happens with those drivers who use a very busy highway for the first time.They fail to act fast like the ones fully used to such conditions and as such create trouble for themselves and others in safety. The same is true in the otherwise case.
It is highly advisable, the best safe way to use a road is to perceive the persons and vehicles using road as fallible and not to take them for granted as sure safe. You must think the vehicles in terms of boulders moving to and fro. They at any time can lose control or balance due to human or machine error and results can be fatal. To perceive the moving traffic as possible threat keeps a road user alert and aware of safety norms. It acts as reminder to follow road rules wisely and feeling safe. One should concentrate on immediate situation presented before and act wisely in the self-interest and in the interest of others. Thus road sense is very useful in the reduction of road accidents on road. Road sense is based on the ability or intelligence to think; judge and act in the safest possible manner in one’s own interest and towards others related to using road.
It is a notable trend in the matter of mobility on Indian roads which have become quite unsafe places. Any visitor from abroad as a matter of fact tries to follow the road rules which are no doubt useful. But there is much more to it and that is the road sense among the native users. It is desirable the best part of it is visible in congested areas. Metros may be exception but not the small cities, towns and villages with link roads and the network of trails in remote areas.
