Economics of Speed

I was driving down the flyover near the Appolo Hospital seeing the seconds ticking away on the green traffic light wondering if I will make it through. Well, its only a matter of waiting for another 30 seconds for the next round of green lights if I did not make it. Just as I was nearing the lights, in a flash, a motorcyclist criss crossed from the left side under the flyover in a bid to cross the light, crashed into the road divider, throwing off himself and his pillion rider. Apparently, the driver's helmet flew, his head hit the divider and the pillion rider slid on the road till she came to a halt. As luck would have it no four wheeled vehicle was a bull on the run...so she was saved from being run over.... But the driver had not lifted his head!!!!!! He was lying his foetal position, head on the ground..... As I slowly manouevered my vehicle contemplating to park my vehicle to help the victims, the crowds came running to lift the driver from the pavement / road. So I decided to be another passer by..... albeit with a lot of hesitation and thoughts...

How many times, I have had the privelege of giving way to persistent drivers, who want to jostle into any available space, make it at the nick of time at any traffic light (even when the light is yellow!!) and still meet them at the next or the next traffic light. Many a times I have been urged to get off the vehicle, tap on the window of the other vehicle and say, " Hey Buddy...you almost banged me in the previous light...have you got gold or won the olympic medal....?? See we are at the same place where we began????" Pity how many drivers on the road understand/do not understand the economics of speed in city roads.

The Economics of speed on city roads... are : "Loss of time is directly proportional to the increase in speed on the roads".. "The more constant the speed, the faster you reach your destination"... and so on.. One never gains by pressing the accelerator and pushing the speedometer to higher levels; there is a speed breaker at every 500 meters or every next driver is on a criss cross fun ride on the road!!! All that you lose are fuel, peace of mind and the tranquility. Unfortunately, the last two items are not quantifiable in terms of money hence never valued at all...

As I drove down, I kept thinking of the driver who tried to save 15 seconds of the time... Was he valuing the life of at least the pillion rider if not his?? Did he have any concern for the people who are dependent on him or who perhaps value his life??? Did he ever think that his acrobatic tactics to save 15 seconds could be so lethal??? Perhaps not.....

I also wondered if the very same person would wake up 5 minutes early in the morning, hurry up with his breakfast by 3 minutes or even stop arguing or fighting with his family for 5 minutes????? Would he ever help his mother or wife finish the morning chores so that all could save 5-10 minutes and be at ease, or even leave home 10 minutes early to make good all such trafiic light delays.....??? Why is it that we do not change ourselves for our own safety and value our life??? why is it that we do not save time or use time judiciously where it is possible and leave the uncertainties where it has to be??? Why is it that we do not value others lives and others sentiments also???

In fact, it is paradoxical how the same person will not demonstrate the same rush in meeting work deadlines... the same rush is not exhibited in places and incidences where it has to be... Has civilisation, technological advances made us more illogical??? Has the perceptive capacity of the human brain been reduced to mechanical action..???? Are we moving from civilisation full circle to the non civilised animalistic society???

Many questions...no answers but all this rush at the wrong places...the only reward it gives are"Risks ...and only risks..."..If only people understood, valued and looked ahead in peace!!!!