No respect for rules, other drivers, especially women: Road rage is common in Kolkata

The February 24 accident near Panagarh that ended the life of 27-year-old dancer-event manager Sutandra Chatterjee has brought back into focus the safety on Bengal’s highways. While the initial theory about Chatterjee’s vehicle crashing while fleeing from a car full of inebriated men is now under scrutiny, there is talk of the crash simply being the result of road rage between the drivers of the two vehicles involved. We speak to citizens who have experienced road rage on streets in various parts of Kolkata, and ask them how they have dealt with the same. Here’s what they told us:

‘Even 24/7 CCTV surveillance hasn’t curbed road rage’
When I once overtook a slow-moving car on Maa flyover, the driver got enraged and zoomed close, trying to corner my car. At one point, I thought he’ll hit my vehicle. If this incident had happened 15 years back, I would have reacted differently. But now, I simply took a photo of the car’s number plate, and let it speed off. One would think incidents of road rage have gone down because of the 24/7 CCTV surveillance. But the reality is entirely different, especially on the EM Bypass
— Prantar Chaudhuri, advertising professional
I live in Behala, and the traffic here is incorrigible, and I often have serious, yet passive road rage. There are bikes, auto-rickshaws, totos – most of them never follow traffic rules or lights, and everyone’s in a rush. What can one do but scream inside the car, windows up, AC turned on!
– Dr Arijit Banerjee, physician
‘Most men have an issue with women who drive’
I frequently drive back home late at night, especially during month-ends at work. I drive an SUV which is an issue on Kolkata roads, since most men believe that women are only supposed to drive small cars. Remarks like “Aurat hain yaar” and “Meye toh, astey chalabei” from many men, especially cab drivers, are frequent. In our society, men have an issue with women who drive and are simply unable to acknowledge women as equals
– Debasree Basu , sales professional

As a make-up artist, I travel a lot, especially during the wedding season. While driving back late at night from the city outskirts, I have faced a lot of problems on the highway – all from male drivers. Most try to overtake me by changing lanes without any indication, only to make me feel like I am a bad driver. When I had just started driving, if it took me an extra second to start my car at a signal, men in vehicles behind me would honk as if the world would end. I have heard very insulting lines, like “Gari chalonta purushder area; apni ranna korun barite!”
– Papiya Chanda, beauty professional
‘It’s essential to keep calm’
Road rage happens all around us in Kolkata. That’s why it is essential to be cautious and keep a cool head. I am usually patient and try to drive without honking. But last year, I almost lost my cool. I had stopped at a red light in New Town late at night, when a car simply rammed my car from behind. When I stepped out to check the damage, the driver apologised profusely and quickly hid his phone. He was apparently looking at his phone when he hit my car
— Sukanti Roy, businessman and musician

‘Road rage has always been an issue in Kolkata’
I’ve been driving in Kolkata for 30 years. Road rage has always been an issue here, especially when there’s a woman at the wheel. I always abide by the traffic rules, but the age-old notion seems to stick on: ‘Meyera gadi chalate jaane na! Recently, when I stopped at a signal at Gariahat, the driver behind me kept honking. At one point, he stepped out and hurled abuses at me, telling me that I should’ve just flouted the signal – since he was in a hurry!
– Payael Anand, businesswoman
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