Be the king of the road

by Dr. Himantha ATUKORALE

Are you a frustrated at driving along the busy city roads?

Then follow these simple steps to be a king on the streets of Sri Lanka.

Remember the last time you were given way by another motorist? It was totally unexpected, the streets were packed with vehicles and nobody seemed to care about your need to move into a vehicle queue that was miles in length. Then suddenly a very kind person appeared from nowhere and gave way, despite "protests" from the other drivers. You were deeply moved, felt honoured and very grateful to that driver, but did you ever consider "passing it on" to another person? If you gave way to several other motorists, motor bikes or three wheelers, that would have surprised them and given them a thought to ponder. If everybody passed this "good deed" on, our streets will be very pleasant places to drive. So next time when someone gives way, pass it on, and watch the smile on the people at the receiving end.

People use the horn for various reasons, but that person might be in a genuine emergency. Roads are no places to teach others "good lessons". You are no teacher and the other motorists, three-wheeler drivers, bikers might not fancy the idea of being your students. So don't obstruct the lane of people who are 'horning', but give way. Fee delighted that you helped that driver to ease his tension and agony. Feel happy and enjoy the ride.

Yellow line are made for pedestrians to cross. Always show down several metres ahead of a crossing. And keep your vehicle in a halt even when the person has moved in front of your vehicle. Respect pedestrians who use yellow line crossings. They respect road rules and so should you.

Don't let anger control your steering wheel. If motor bike riders try to overtake, do give way. If anger provokes drivers to obstruct bikes, and if there is an impact between vehicles, the injuries might be fatal. I have seen young motor bike riders who were "taught lessons" by other motorists, coming with fatal head injuries or massive crush injuries to limbs. One second is enough to end a person's life, especially when you are driving a large vehicle. Remember a large vehicle is deadlier than a T56 weapon. Road traffic accidents are the main killers in Sri Lanka, not the 20 year old war.

The show you are driving the less an impact would be. Hitting a person with a metal load thousands of kilos in weight 80km per hour is not like bumping into a person. Always remember that the energy you use to push the accelerator is multiplied a million times inside the engine of your vehicle.

Practice anger management when you are driving. I believe that the best place to practise "Maithree Bhawana" is not at a peaceful temple but on the busy street roads of Sri Lanka!

Follow at least one of the above mentioned steps daily while you are on the drive. Be happy that you are not just driving yourself to work. You are helping others and helping yourself to gain more control over mind. Feel like the king of the road on streets of Sri Lanka.