Chennai Traffic-Drunken Driving

This is a forwarded email I received in July 2007. Originated by MADD(Mothers Against Drunken Drivers), Dallas, Texas. A message which moved me so much that I translated in Tamil and recorded it in a suitable manner and played it in my programme on FM Rainbow, Chennai. You can hear the audio in here.

I went to a party,

And remembered what you said.

You told me not to drink, Mom

So I had a sprite instead.

I felt proud of myself,

The way you said I would,

That I didn't drink and drive,

Though some friends said I should.

I made a healthy choice,

And your advice to me was right,

The party finally ended,

And the kids drove out of sight.

I got into my car,

Sure to get home in one piece,

I never knew what was coming, Mom

Something I expected least.

Now I'm lying on the pavement,

And I hear the policeman say,

The kid that caused this wreck was drunk,

Mom, his voice seems far away.

My own blood's all around me,

As I try hard not to cry.

I can hear the paramedic say,

This girl is going to die.

I'm sure the guy had no idea,

While he was flying high,

Because he chose to drink and drive,

Now I would have to die.

So why do people do it, Mom

Knowing that it ruins lives?

And now the pain is cutting me,

Like a hundred stabbing knives.

Tell sister not to be afraid, Mom

Tell daddy to be brave,

And when I go to heaven,

Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.

Someone should have taught him,

That it's wrong to drink and drive.

Maybe if his parents had,

I'd still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom

I'm getting really scared.

These are my final moments,

And I'm so unprepared.

I wish that you could hold me Mom,

As I lie here and die.

I wish that I could say, "I love you, Mom!"

So I love you and good-bye.

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Chennai Traffic-Stop in the Name of Power

The placement of signals on our roads is another story. At many places they are placed just before a bus-stop, flyover or after them which automatically reduces the speed of vehicle movement. But the above signals take the cake! They are just 100 meters apart! Still about 150 meters away is the Teynampet signal! Some 150 meters before also a signal exists. The powerful logic is these two signals make entering into or exiting from Anna Arivalayam easier as taking U-turns are only for ordinary mortals like you and me!

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Chennai Traffic-Escorting Kids on Roads

Need of the hour - Common Sense!

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Chennai Traffic-No Entry

Any comments!

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Chennai Traffic-Public Parking

Narrow Streets becoming narrower... Broad roads becoming narrower... Narrow street and garbage clearing at 12 pm...!?

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Chennai Traffic-Monkey followers

I mean the monkies Gandhiji talked about. See no evil, Hear no evil and Speak no evil! Same with our Traffic Police. They will not SEE violations in number plates, lack of rear-view mirror, helmet, etc. They will not HEAR air horns and other fancy horns prohibited by law! They will not SPEAK if you are connected even if remotely to anyone or anything! Who is to be blamed? Public, Police or Politicians?!

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Chennai Traffic-Auto gear - gotto fear

I feel that the vehicle population explosion can be traced to the gear less vehicles. Women, senior citizens seem to be the popular users of these vehicles which don't need technical skills. No clutching, declutching, shifting of gears. It is just switch on, rise and go! The speed with which they are driven can only be tagged as in compared freedom. The power of the vehicles are also on the rise and most of the youngsters(boys or girls) enjoy weaving in and out of the paths of other vehicles resulting in wrecked nerves and vehicles. But can you catch them? Sorry, they have already taken the turn(for worse!).

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Chennai Traffic-Right side is the wrong side

In India we follow the rule keep left. But that is only on paper. Vehicles occupy the whole road unless there is a permanent road divider. They don't care about the vehicles coming on the opposite side whether from safety point of view or possibility of traffic jams. This is not just on roads but also in the subways, on the flyovers. Mad rush is the word for our traffic. I have always wondered whether it is because of ignorance or selfishness. Concern for others is a bad word mouthed by incompetent drivers who can't go along with the tide of rule breaking!

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Chennai Traffic-Jay Walkers

Our narrow roads require the road users to be athletic, acrobatic whether they are riding a vehicle or walking on the vanishing foot paths! Agreed, the road is not vehicle owner's property just because they pay road taxes, but shouldn't the pedestrians show little common sense. Even those who come in vehicles become pedestrians once they get off their vehicles. But it is a common sight to see pedestrian crossing wherever they want to, forcing hard braking. When brakes fail it is bone breaking! It is also common to see adults with children also joining the fun and have the kids not on the platform side, dragging them across roads in between vehicles. How can we expect the children growing up like this to obey the law or use common sense?

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Chennai Traffic-Helmets not for the hard heads

Should, need not, may, again should ...... Tamilnadu govt's stands in respect of two wheeler riders wearing helmets! That too after the matter went to Court and on court's orders! Opinions may differ. It is my life is the common refrain. But my question is why is the helmet not strapped at all or not strapped properly. Logic of wearing helmet is lost as at the point of impact the helmet will fly before the life does.

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Chennai Traffic-Autocratic autos

But are they really autocratic or it is just that the users are submissive? This question always arises seeing the behavior of both. Mechanical meter, Digital meter or No meter no questions asked as the meters are only used as hanger by the driver for his uniform. No questions on meter, no questions on rate, no questions on breaking of traffic rules, no questions on illegal parking. It is rather the questioner is questioned 'do you know the difficulty of getting license, the cost of petrol(even for a diesel auto), daily rent, mamool for the police on beat, ...?' So rather than the cost of living factor(which is higher in Bangalore with better autos) it seems the clout the auto drivers enjoy because of the clout they have with the politicians, dons, police, etc., decide the fate of the general public.

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