Flying off the handle over flyovers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">Read our lips (or is it our words): traffic in the city is going to be a nightmare for the next two years. Currently there are five flyovers that are under construction in the city -Hebbal, Central Silk Board- Hosur, Bangalore Diary Circle, Jayadeva Institute and Airport Road-Domlur junction. And they are causing horrendous traffic jams, which have become a part of our lives.<br /><br />Because of the chaotic traffic conditions, road rage has become a common phenomenon in the city. "60 per cent of the population experience road rage everyday in the city," says Prof. M. N.Sreehari, advisor, Traffic Transport Department and chairman of Traffic Education and Safety Trust. <br /><br />"Today, with 22 lakh vehicles plying on the road everyday and with various flyovers under construction, there are more people suffering from road rage now than ever before."<br /><br />Signs of road rage are reacting angrily to other drivers, by cutting them off, giving the finger, waving the fist, yelling and above all honking. Prof Sreehari also points out that accidents are caused because of road rage<br /><br />"It is the educated people, who are the biggest defaulters," accuses Jyothi Shetty, who drives from Cambridge Layout to Nandidurg Road everyday. "It is a known fact that traffic is slow moving because of the construction of flyovers and during peak hours it is downright chaotic. The sensible thing to do is be patient and observe lane discipline. But they don''t. <br /><br />People use cars like scooters, they are always trying to weave in and out of traffic. Another irritating trait is honking constantly in a traffic jam. As if the honking would solve the problem. Because of the traffic conditions, everyday I reach home and office in a foul mood."<br /><br />Around 80 per cent of the population that violates all traffic norms are those who drive cars and two-wheelers. "Auto drivers suffer from immense road rage but they are mostly uneducated and a miniscule population. 99 per cent of the people become impatient at intersections," says Prof Sreehari. <br /><br />There are 32,000 junctions in 4,800 kms of road in Bangalore. And 3,000 road junctions are problematic. There are around 250 traffic signals and 2,200 traffic police in the city. "The construction of flyovers are creating further problems but it is a necessity. The entire width of the road should not be used while constructing a flyover, as it''s being done now. <br /><br />In problematic areas, construction should be done in stages. The present constructions are time consuming because of foundation problems. Government should start using pre-fabricated units, and the new technology called the trenchless technology for building of flyovers. This will prevent undue chaos," explains Prof Sreehari.<br /><br />Construction of flyovers cannot be stopped. Traffic jams are not going to go away either -until we all change our road habits overnight. What we can do is not give into road rage and become another casualty. <br /><br />If you think you are losing control of your anger while driving or cooling your heels at an intersection, this is what you should do: don''t take traffic problems personally; avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver; traffic is a co-operative activity. When you behave co-operatively you get repaid in kind. If you are aggressive, you trigger in others a natural instinct to fight back. Listen to music or think of a joke. Solpa adjust madi!<br /><br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">sudhapillai@indiatimes.com</span></div> </div>