Sign and a Signal |
“Zebra Crossing” – a word we all appreciate, recognise, and associate with road discipline. Unfortunately, it is a black-and-white truth about Kashmir’s colourful traffic chaos! Where zebras fear to cross, and pedestrians rule the roads. The pedestrians here have a mission: “Who needs a Zebra Crossing when the entire road is yours?” Our roads have rules, but nobody seems interested in them, and pedestrian crossings have become a black-and-white joke, where traffic rules are optional, and pedestrians enjoy unlimited freedom. Check it yourself during your next visit to Lalchowk, the smart city hub where roads are smart, but people are not.
Once, during my maiden visit to Dubai, I was about to cross a road when I noticed something rather unusual. Commuters were patiently looking for a zebra crossing, approaching it, and waiting for the appropriate moment to cross as vehicles passed by. Before stepping onto the road, I looked to my left and noticed an approaching vehicle. On the other........