Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s going to happen just by observing traffic rules? There are so many big issues out there!
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Why don’t you resolve this issue with xyz road / square / traffic signals?
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Ok, I have decided to follow rules 100%. Why is the sticker needed?
Popular Myths
Popular Excuses
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I want to stop at Red signal, but vehicles behind me, force me to break signal.
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I have a driver. My vehicle is also used by others at times. So I can’t join.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s going to happen just by observing traffic rules? There are so many big issues out there!
Following traffic rules is just a Means, not the End. As thousands and lacs of citizens join the Movement, it will create a positive force to change the present negative atmosphere into a positive one and break the blame passing vicious circle between authorities and citizens, which is a deeper reason for traffic problem, though there are other major causes. Importantly, aim of the movement is NOT to criticize the authorities, but to motivate them also to support the Movement by removing their own deficiencies. Ultimately we will force development of the long-term vision and a comprehensive plan for the city, so that all development is not at random, but according to the plan. This is what the Citizen driven transformation is. This is the Mission of the Movement.
This is
a Bottom-up approach and will take a long time. Why don’t you
have a Top down approach, i.e. shouldn’t the governing
authorities be forced to do their job properly first?
There is no doubt that there is a lot that the Governing authorities have to improve. However, when we say, “they have to improve first”, we remain trapped in a vicious circle. Our observation is that several NGOs have so far tried to either help them to control traffic or put pressure on them / criticized them for their shortcomings or followed up with them for getting some improvements done. None of this seems to succeed at least to get any long term or permanent benefits. e.g. Sometimes some NGOs have achieved the implementation of a specific drive like “No tolerance zone”, which hasn’t contributed slightest for any long-term improvement.
Hence, while we respect any such efforts that any NGOs or forum may do, we have taken a radically different path. We believe, conscientious citizens like you, will see the point and join the Movement and spread it to others. When we have good visibility, in fact it will spread faster. We trust, with the large number of conscious citizens who are seen to be doing their duty unconditionally, we will be ale to put far more pressure on governing authorities to remove their shortcomings and work towards a long term vision. We would have broken the current blame passing vicious circle and specific improvement will start making a positive effect.
Importantly, each citizen joining the Movement has absolutely nothing to lose. Common myth is that you save time by having liberty on roads. This is covered later in this document under the section on “Some Popular Myths”.
Why
don’t you resolve this issue with xyz road / square / traffic
signals?
We don’t have any plans to do any patchwork or run after governing authorities to get things done in bursts. We do plan to set up a channel to convey specific issues and suggestions to authorities and get feedback. We have already suggested this to them. At present this doesn’t get much attention. As the Movement gains visibility, we are sure Authorities will start giving respect. However, this can only happen when there are large numbers of conscientious citizens in the Movement, i.e. who commit to their responsibility 100% and express it openly. Unfortunately, in most cases people suggesting us to resolve specific issues, are also the people who only give excuses for joining the Movement!
Ok, I
have decided to follow rules 100%. Why is the sticker needed?
The sticker serves multiple purposes. It binds us to the open unconditional commitment. It also becomes instrument of networking and spread of the Movement. It will also unite us, the responsible & conscientious citizens and give us the much-needed visibility.
Also, the evil in this world wins over the Good, because the Good people do not openly stand and assert themselves (though they far outnumber the bad ones). The sticker is a means of taking a firm, unwavering, positive stand. It unites us.
Popular Myths
We save Time by having liberty to break rules.
Please do this experiment. Measure the time you take today, for traversing a fixed path, say from your residence to office. Then follow rules 100% and measure the time for the same path. (Do it few times and average.) See for yourself that difference will not be more than 10%. i.e. say 30 minutes and 33 minutes. (Most of the time, you see the vehicle, which broke one signal, again at the next signal). Is that time-saving worth it? You will get far more satisfaction by contributing to this transformation, by joining the Movement.Never ever look at the watch while driving. Rather, keep a 10 minutes buffer for traffic delay. Then drive relaxed without tension. You will usually arrive 10 minutes early and feel Good! But, if you were late to start, accept responsibility. Don’t make up delay by breaking rules. Only exception to this could be a time when you are trying to save somebody's life. Don’t look at the watch after you start.
It is unsafe to stop at the signals!
Only unsafe thing is stopping suddenly. Safe driving practice is to NOT speed up even when you see a Green signal from distance. Once you ensure this and also give a signal "I am stopping", well in advance. This ensures safety.
It is Ok to turn left any time! It is ok to ignore signal before 8 am / after ….!
In India, blinking yellow light is used to indicate it is ok to turn left. If not, the signal is not green, by design. In some cases it may be due to a narrow road, in some cases it is for pedestrians to cross.
There is no such rule that it is ok to ignore signals or other rules in specific times of day.
Popular Excuses
I want to stop at Red signal, but vehicles behind me, force me to break signal.
In the lives of most of us, there is an event in the childhood, when we tell elders, “But I did it because, ---- told me”, and we get admonishing, “If he tells you to jump in the well, will you?”. Point is simple, if you want to ignore the driver behind you, you can (and the sticker actually helps here!), and if you want to use it as an excuse, you can do that too. Do not purposely stop in such a way that it blocks the way of others who want to break signal, but once you stop, do not budge to horns or shouts from behind. You can do it, if you want to. (Only exception: If you are blocking an ambulance with siren on).
I have a driver. My vehicle is also used by others at times. So I can’t join.
This is really a practical issue. However, where there is a will there is a way (else there are excuses!). If one is really convinced, attitude should be to go ahead. Hence, in this case, only natural choice is, one should motivate and convince others, sharing the vehicle. If you came to know that 30% petrol is saved if you drive in a particular way, wouldn’t you convince these same people for this? Then why do we say, “I can be a 100% responsible citizen, but I am not sure if my other close ones will be so, I can’t join.” Why can’t you say, “Yes, I am convinced. I will also convince ----- and then join.” (If you come across some objections, you can’t handle, please share with us, so that we can expand this list of FAQs, Myths and Excuses!).
Ok, I am convinced. But, right now I am so much into work, I will join next month (or after March pressures ...)
Well, first of all, joining the Movement neither taxes your time, nor it is like a big financial investment (Cost of the sticker Rs.20 for a Car and Rs.15 for a two wheeler, can't be an speed breaker for someone who has decided to take up the commitment).
As far as Time is concerned, it doesn't tax your time at all, since you don't have to go anywhere for a meeting etc. You just do the same thing that you do, but with a commitment to do it right 100%. You become a proud responsible citizen and get the satisfaction of contributing in this Citizens' transformation.
Of course, we will like it, if you also talk about the commitment you have taken up and motivate as many more citizens as possible, to join the Movement.
What are the Rules to be followed? I don’t know the rules.