Lintonian Dynamics, Three Laws of Motion on Indian Roads
I’ve been wanting to write about Indian driving for a while. After much consultation with Dave, and having spent a little while now in the chaos that is Indian traffic, I think I can generalize three laws for how traffic operates here.
Law 1) Right of way scales with inertia.
Big things trump small things, fast things trump slow things. So for example, slow trucks get out of a fast moving car's way, but when a car and at truck are moving at the same speed, the truck goes pretty much where it wants to. Similarly, at traffic lights moving traffic has right of way for at least a few seconds after the light changes, before cross-traffic can get going.
Law 2) Culpability falls on those behind.
As a driver, you are only responsible for what you hit, not for what hits you. Therefore, drivers keep very very close attention to the 180 degrees that are in front of them, and neglect totally what is behind; its someone else’s problem. This neglect includes checking rearview mirrors when changing lanes or pulling out into traffic.
Law 3) That which is not prohibited by a sign is allowed.
This law was originally “there is no third law” but after some more reflection I realized this wasn’t true, because if a sign is posted, it is generally followed. For example, I have yet to see U-turns where a “No U-turn” sign is up. Similarly, people obey “reduce speed” signs and also “use turn signal” signs. But the Indian government has neglected to post “drive in your own lane” signs. Nor did they erect “stay the hell out of oncoming traffic” signs. So, such things are done as the driver sees fit.
There are some interesting further implications of these laws, which I’m sure will be expanded as I stay here:
--As the smallest and slowest thing on the road, pedestrians have no value. Pedestrians cross the street as they can, and at their own peril.
--Crosswalks offer clear lines of sight, but confer no right of way.
--Horns are blown not in hostility (usually) but to indicate that one driver is behind another and has the intent to pass. This is done both to notify the forward driver of the rear driver’s intent, and as a challenge, to see if the forward driver has the balls to do anything about it.
--Speed is not regulated by signs or by police but by speed bump, some of which can be hit at surprisingly high velocity.
Law 1) Right of way scales with inertia.
Big things trump small things, fast things trump slow things. So for example, slow trucks get out of a fast moving car's way, but when a car and at truck are moving at the same speed, the truck goes pretty much where it wants to. Similarly, at traffic lights moving traffic has right of way for at least a few seconds after the light changes, before cross-traffic can get going.
Law 2) Culpability falls on those behind.
As a driver, you are only responsible for what you hit, not for what hits you. Therefore, drivers keep very very close attention to the 180 degrees that are in front of them, and neglect totally what is behind; its someone else’s problem. This neglect includes checking rearview mirrors when changing lanes or pulling out into traffic.
Law 3) That which is not prohibited by a sign is allowed.
This law was originally “there is no third law” but after some more reflection I realized this wasn’t true, because if a sign is posted, it is generally followed. For example, I have yet to see U-turns where a “No U-turn” sign is up. Similarly, people obey “reduce speed” signs and also “use turn signal” signs. But the Indian government has neglected to post “drive in your own lane” signs. Nor did they erect “stay the hell out of oncoming traffic” signs. So, such things are done as the driver sees fit.
There are some interesting further implications of these laws, which I’m sure will be expanded as I stay here:
--As the smallest and slowest thing on the road, pedestrians have no value. Pedestrians cross the street as they can, and at their own peril.
--Crosswalks offer clear lines of sight, but confer no right of way.
--Horns are blown not in hostility (usually) but to indicate that one driver is behind another and has the intent to pass. This is done both to notify the forward driver of the rear driver’s intent, and as a challenge, to see if the forward driver has the balls to do anything about it.
--Speed is not regulated by signs or by police but by speed bump, some of which can be hit at surprisingly high velocity.
posted by Linton at 2:32 AM
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