THE PRICE OF INDISCIPLINE

MOST OF US, as a rule, are prone to break the rule. We see and experience this every day, on so many occasions in our daily life, but nowhere is this rule-flouting as visible as on our roads

- Kiran Karnik

The previous edition of this column listed – tongue-in-cheek – the virtues and benefits of violating driving rules and ignoring discipline (Wrong-Side Driving, BW 20 May, 2023). This column looks at the obverse: the negative consequences of indiscipline, and the cost it imposes on society.

On busy roads of every city in India one will see railings on the central divider, at least for some part of the road. Anyone unfamiliar with the country will wonder as to their purpose. We know, of course, that these are intended to stop pedestrians from crossing the road wherever they please.

UNSAFE CROSSING

Such crossing not only affects the flow of traffic, but puts the walker at serious risk. Given the possible bodily harm that could occur, rationality would dictate that such a crossing is irrational and unwise, especially when safety is better assured by walking a few hundred metres (or less) to the nearest traffic signal or to a marked “zebra crossing”. If the discipline of doing so is followed, there would be no necessity for spending a large amount of money on installing a railing on the divider.

THE NECESSITY OF RAILINGS

This seems like a win-win situation: following the basic principle of using a designated place for crossing the road will ensure safety for the pedestrian; smooth driving for the vehicle (with no need for a sudden stop and the possible hit by a vehicle from behind; or the worse result of hitting a pedestrian); and a saving of unnecessary cost (of the railing) for the city or state. Despite these obvious plus factors, why do people cross where they please and thereby necessitate railings?