Written By Bheema.Upadhyaya - 10 November, 2010

Traffic Bangalore Road Safety Driving lanes Analysis Transportation Enforcement Honking

After we saw good inputs on this post , I was really interested how would it really look like if some one practised lane driving. So I have given a try in my own way in Hosur Road, which has now clearly marked 3 lanes from Silk Board to Electronic City. So my experience may not be relevant to other roads or any other contexts. 

Preparations:

1) Made sure that I have enough time to make this experiments. Usually I used to take 25 mins during offpeak hours to travel. I have made sure that I have 1 hour for this experiment on daily basis for a week and now continuing.

2) Made sure that experiment is done during off-peak hours only, so that I dont create chaos in road, just because of one person.

3) I made double sure that all my lights work correctly.

4) Prepared myself to subject to face harsh/bad words from public, still to maintain peace, or loose out if any arguement happens.

5) Took the experiment  when signals where on. (Say 11am to 6pm)

6) Made sure that avoided *really* rash auto/cab/bmtc/van which might be scary.

Preparation were to be more than real experiment due to risk involved :-). And it may not be called experiment in a sense, may be called as learning best practice at risk

Method and observation:

1) Took middle(leaving 1 foot from lane marking) of middle lane and drove at almost constant speed of 60-65KM. I presumed that speed was justified for middle lane of Hosur Road during that time and condition. 

Observed:

- Drivers honked me to give way to them when the right lane was blocked due slow moving vehicle. I respected and gave way. But reaction was not good, drivers used to stare at me and continue. Some drivers honked me even if right lane was free to overtake me. They wanted me to give way, just not overtake me for whatever reason. Some drivers even got angry, overtook me just keeping a very short distance to "teach"(threaten???) me, how to "behave" in road.

-Some autos thought it was really "safe" to in middle lane, kept going in 40kmph in middle road. Got really tempted to honk at them, but sustained for a while and overtook from rightlane. Once I overtook, I made sure that I when went back to middle lane and reduced my speed to 35kmph and kept position at just safe distance from them just to "teach" them. Out of 3 instances, 2 auto drivers sensed the logic and took left lane promptly, the third one happily kept same lane, might have thought I am sane:) 

- Some motor bikers, kept speed of almost 60kmph and kept their position at left of middle lane. For most of them when I approached, I was at their blind spot. I was not sure if they want to really keep the position or to change lanes. Got really confused, this time I briefly honked at least when I am 5 meters away from them. Out of 2 instance, one guy changed lane to left and continue,another guy followed "auto" patterns, means they reverted once I passed.

2) When nearing signal continued to keep same lane, as I dont need to turn to any other road. Situation is very bad there.

- As I followed middle lane most of the times I was last in que. So most of drivers overtook me from both side to advance.

- When I stopped keeping a safe distance from vehicle in front: A heavy vehicle driver from back felt, I am wasting "space". So kept honking consistently to move me out of his way , but in vain.

- When I stopped keeping a safe distance from vehicle(Lorry) in front: A small car driver felt so happy . Overtook me from left slowly using his full driving "skills" and just managed to keep his/her "nose" in front of my car, so that he "reserved" lane to him. Why not right side? Another instance, same "skill" was shown from right side. Urgency mattered. I was prompted to honk to show my gesture, but sustained and gave way. But see , there were que of small cars and cabs and who aligned and made a new row :). So just manged to "break" row by moving my "nose" "skillfully". You know the result? Their que merged in my (middle) lane. 

- When I stopped in front as first vehicle in waiting and kept my position in middle of middle lane: I had a *real* impact, specially when my left vehicle and right vehicle also kept them middle position of their lanes. Most of following vehicles followed lanes, nicely, though I didnt get full view of back positions. Interestingly, all two wheelers happily managed to come forward and postion themselves in racing positions in "zeebra crossing" in front. But when green signal was on, they went ahead immediately without causing any blockage. 

- When I stopped in front as first vehicle in waiting and kept my position in middle of middle lane: second scene. I kept my vehicle 2 meters away from signal. You guessed right, driver behind me honked wild. But for a short life, two wheelers covered space, then happy happy. 

 

- To be continued as experiment continues (not intending to extend much)

Update: I have posted picture of my car which is pasted with plain paper banners.Pardon me for simple implementation, its not a sticker. Planning to get a colour printed sticker after sometime. I thought its enough for time being. Is there a better way to implement?

 

 

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