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Road Traffic Regulated

I remember when I first started driving in Mumbai. Several years ago, soon after returning from Brisbane suburbs where I had driven in the rather sane traffic I had a reality check. I saw a "60" in the red circle on the road (sign) and thought I was to drive at a maximum speed of 60 kmph. Well, a few kms on the road and I realized with honks and hard stares from the other vehicles that it was I who was breaking the law driving within the speech limit!

Two weeks hence I was zooming at 80 kmps along with other vechiles and it was "Welcome to Mumbai" no more honks or stares. Unless an odd vehicle here are there that were zooming at over 100 kmph. It has been 6 years now and I have not seen a single vehicle in the 60 kmph zone being fined for driving 80-90-100-110-120-....

I have often wondered why have the road sign with a 60 sitting in it. May be as they used to say, especally of Indian trains, you need to have a reference time of train arrival so that you know by how much late your training is running! I have half heartedly knocked a few social sites (including traffic polic in Mumbai) but no one did hear what I had to say (so what is so new!).

When I got a new car (which car is not important!) I read the label - drive under 60 kmph before crossing 1000 km. What was I to do? I pondered. Well, I had to manage somehow, which I did successfully by driving in appropriate lanes and choosing appropriate time (timing the traffic). The end effect was (a) increased milage 23 kmpl and (b) enjoy driving experience. I am not sure what the new car drivers do in this situation - do they really drive sub 60 kmph? I have not seen a single car drive that slow! Anyway that is not the point.

On one of my liesure drive (takes me 45 mintues) I kept wondering what would be the best method to make people drive within the speed limits. After having driven for so many years in Mumbai I sincelerly believe in what I say! Well when you find a person driving well above the expetded limit - do not snatch away his driving licence or fine him/her - just make sure his vehicle can not travel above the limit. I think if you "locked" the vehicle to travel a maximum of 60 kmph .. I think it would be the best "fine" or "punishment". I would call that a positive way of looking at crubing speeding rather than fine or pinch the licence (negative approach).

What do I do today? I drive in appropriate lanes and clock 70 kmpl - no more honks or stares. But there is one small danger that I need to figure out how to avoid, the reckless overtaking from left, right and center. Will figure that out very soon.
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