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Gone are the days when I used to love to go for a long drive to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Driving today is a more of a nuisance than being pleasurable. More and more vehicles are hitting the roads today but the agonizing part is that people are becoming more and more careless and irresponsible behind the wheels. Everybody seems to be in a hurry nowadays. It’s difficult for people to even wait for 30 seconds at the traffic signals. I have witnessed people (especially bikers) jumping red lights umpteen number of times. It’s not only dangerous for them; it’s hazardous even for the other commuters.

The other day I was waiting for the green light at the traffic signal, when I witnessed a brutal accident. A man, with his wife and a small child, was on the bike and came crashing into an oncoming white Santro.  In spite of being responsible for the safety of his family at his back, he drove past the red light straight into the arms of death. The intensity of impact on the man and his family increased because he was driving the bike blazingly. Moreover, neither he nor his wife was wearing a helmet.  The man died on the spot where as the wife and his child were rushed to the nearby hospital where the child was declared dead. The wife is still in ICU as she incurred deep injuries. More than the physical pains she must be undergoing currently, just imagine the emotional trauma she has to live with for the rest of her life. Patience of a few seconds could have saved her and her family from this unfortunate tragedy.

Another major reason for accidents on roads is the way people try to overtake the other vehicles. Indian drivers love nothing more than to overtake, one hand on the wheel while the other continually hits the horn. It’s as if the only law of the road is that drivers are obliged to overtake any vehicle they encounter and must do so while furiously honking their horn. There is scant regard for oncoming traffic. Impatience and arrogance has crept deep into the system.  This impatience is causing havoc on roads and it’s high time we start realizing our responsibilities while driving in order to ensure an accident free travel for everyone on roads. It’s high time we start respecting life. It’s high time we stop aping west only in fashion and start learning traffic etiquettes from them as well. It’s also high time that the government becomes stricter and more diligent in conducting its duties. Why should people be allowed to drive away unquestioned by bribing the patrolling policemen? Why should people be allowed to
use their powerful sources to sober down the traffic police? Why should the traffic follow the rule of “the survival of the fittest”?

Tags: Commute, Danger, Driving, Traffic, Traffic in India, Traffic Menance

Driving is considered an environment threatening practice but if a few tips are followed, you can drive eco-friendly regardless of the vehicle you drive. These tips will make your driving efficient. An efficient drive will not only save money on gas but your car’s emissions are also lessened.  Here are the ways which can help you to achieve these goals:

1. Dive less aggressively: Studies have shown that fuel efficiency is affected by the way you drive just before the red lights. If you rush up to a stop light and then brake hard at the last minute, more gas will be used. Same thing happens while you leave at a green light. It was found that you can increase your fuel efficiency from 5% up to about 33% if you ease into a red light and ease out of a green light.  Following these two little rules can be very much beneficial for you.

2. Limit the speed: CNNMoney.com article from 2006 states, “When you drive faster than 60 mph, you get less mileage for your money (up to 23 percent less, or 67 cents a gallon).”  This is a significant change and some lawmakers are even considering a bill to re-instate a national speed limit of 55mph to help counter the effects of higher speed limits in certain areas. So drive below 60 mph and have a safe journey too.

3. Limit the idle time of your car:  Leaving the car idle eats up gas. If you are waiting for some one, then it is better to turn off your engine. Additionally, leaving the car idle will also adds a dense amount of pollution to the immediate area. You’ll increase your gas mileage and reduce your emissions by quitting the engine.

4. Care your Car’s maintenance:  Car should be maintained properly for higher fuel efficiency. Improperly inflated tires, clogged filters and the incorrect weight of motor oil could all reduce your car’s fuel efficiency and thus increase the car’s emissions.  Regular maintenance will also increase the life of the car.

5. Combine your trips:  Commuting with someone in your office is a great way to be a green motorist without plunking down some serious money on a hybrid or more fuel-efficient vehicle.  If you’re a parent who stays home with the children, consider planning one day for your errands.  The less you drive the less pollution you’ll add to the environment.  UPS has taken this one step further and plans their delivery routes to consist solely of right turns.  Studies have shown that right turns are better on gas mileage.

These tips will definitely benefit you and the environment in the immediate area. The tips are easy to follow and should be implemented to increase your gas mileage as well as reduce your emissions footprint. Have an eco-friendly and safe drive!

Tags: Car Maintenance, Driving, Driving Tips, Eco Friendly Driving, Environment