Driving : A Stress Buster Turned Into Frustration

‘Are you from Delhi? If yes, then you must read this.’

For a lot of us, driving was almost equal to releasing stress. It was like a fresh breath of air in a mix of complexities. People who’d know driving had found one escape route to gather their thoughts together, put on some low volume music and enjoy the ride, peacefully. There was a time when almost every person was excited to learn how to drive instead of the fear that has emerged within them, now.

However, the situation has totally reversed, for the worse. Everybody wants to drive but nobody wants to follow the traffic rules. Whether you’re a driver or not, it is very much necessary to follow some basic instructions. Because the repercussions of not abiding by the laws are causing danger to someone’s life, physically as well as mentally.

Ask yourself the following questions and consider yourself a culprit if the answer is a yes:

·As a child, we’re being educated about the traffic lights. But do you actually stop your vehicle when the light turns red?

·As a walker by, do you keep crossing the road on the side where the light is green and vehicles are moving?

·Are you constantly changing your lanes while driving, without paying much attention to the speed?
·Are you using your mobile phone or listening to loud music while driving?
·Do you move your vehicle the wrong side of the road, just to make a shortcut to reach your destination?

·Do you maintain a minimum distance that is required, from the vehicle, in front of you?
·Are you a constant honker? Do you drive at a high beam, all the time? Do you press the indicator whenever you’re making a turn?

It wouldn’t be surprising if 80% of you nodded their heads in acceptance, especially the ones residing in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. What’s more worse is that the educated society is equally a part of this mess. Considering the amount of awareness programmes that have been taking place since long, the problem still prevails at a huge level.

Ever wondered, how much stress your actions might be causing to someone else’s mind and hampering their mental health? All of this combined together, is actually the reason for traffic congestion on the roads, bad driving, the mishaps that keep happening now and then, drivers abusing or making rude gestures to other drivers and the list goes on.

Psychologically, this frustration in the mind of drivers leads to anxiety, work stress, lack of control over the vehicle and their reactions (yelling at others). Physically, it can lead to fatigue, high blood pressure, adapting mental illnesses, or a nervous breakdown. Socially, it makes a person lethargic in long commutes and also makes them irritated the entire day.

It’s time people take responsibility for their actions and mend them to make the world a better place to live. Also, it is important to charge heavy penalties by the traffic police if anyone tries to cross them. So the role of an individual in enabling a smooth flow of movement and maintaining peace on the roads cannot be undermined. Drive safe, walk safe and enjoy the ride!

‘FOLLOWING TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, IS NOT A CHOICE, IT IS A NECESSITY.’