The other day I was driving to work. I merged into the Freeway and noticed that all the cars were going as a procession, right at the speed limit. Usually I see all kinds of motorists, some follow the speed limit, some just go in Jet speed, and some just crawl as though the road belongs to them.
As I was wondering why, I passed a few cars and went to the front and voila...there was a Highway Patrol car leading the group. He was right on speed limit. No one dared to pass Him. It was funny. I put myself in the Highway Patrol officer's shoes. He should have had a big laugh looking behind and seeing all the other cars following him.
A few exits later, he went away and all the cars just flew, like a flock of birds out of a cage. It was funny. It also made me think.
Left to themselves, people risk their lives and speed. But under control, they are afraid about a ticket and the subsequent rise in Insurance.
Is money really bigger than Life? I kept pondering and drove at 80 mph... And reached work 10 minutes early.
25 comments:
no money is not bigger than life.
but inga driving licence pochi na approm yengendhu money yengendhu life
Usir first pochunna?
80 mph ikkum 65 mph ikkum periya vidhyasam illaye :) makkal appadi yosikkaraanga pola :)
we think about money every minute (vera vazhiye illaye), thats why :(
Definitely life can't be equated with any material things. When we are going to fast, our mind is more focussed on reaching the destination than the consequences of driving at a jet speed. But, after noticing the COP, there comes the scenes of ticket, court, points, insurance, etc., etc.,
It is funny that independent of each other, both of us still thought of posting some experience related to driving today. Great minds think alike? :-)
on a related note, the most pissed off i ever was on US roads was in PA, when I had just been ticketed by a cop and the whole turnpike was suddenly filled with speed limit obeying angels :-P
have you noticed in intestate freeways, the opposite traffic sometimes signal you if there is a "cop" ahead by blinking their lights ... or when the cars in front you slam the brakes to slow down it is an indication that there is a "patrol car" ahead of you.
It used to be the same way here in Singapore. Near the speed camera, people used to slow down completely to suit the law... once they cross the camera, they pick up.
Now they hv installed hidden cameras to capture those kind of speeding people.
No speed limits here.. in Chennai.. All roads are unmarked freeways with no limits whatsoever.. Because, anything and everything can use any available space on and off the road 'freely' at any time in any direction.
Joke apart...
While everyone may be worried about their dear life.. we just don't think it would be our turn...
Thats pretty reflective Narayanan! so whatdo u feel which one should get more weigtage?..i won't pass any judgements but then money is only next to life to some people..i remember during an earthquake in Gujarart one such incident occurred which shocked everyone...A husband-wife couple decided to jump from the window ten storey building when earthquake happened...The husband made sure that before his wife is rescued he manages to accumulate all the cash and wealth that he had at home..later he jumped from the window not with his wife but the money!So what do u have to say?
It may be more with what is visible in front of you, than about money or life. When you look at the open road, you see speed. When you notice the cop/camera, you see money loss. When suddenly a vehicle intrudes into your lane, only then you see the risk you were running and slam the brakes. People take life for granted, and although they know death is inevitable, tend to think it is still far off and invisible. Until death comes before you as a reality.
gandalf the gay
ennayya idhu peru
Gandalf the Greay ippadi akkiteengale
Narayanan
In Florid they used to keep a dummy patrol car on the highway just by looking at that cutout people have reduced their speed.
Same with religion, eventhough some argue of not having any religion, imagine society where ethics,moral good values can they be there without religion ?!! or for that matter a society without Law
What is going to prevent people from doing bad things ?
Ganesh,
Same here too, I see dummy patrol cars here as well.
Pardon me..who is Gandalf the greary?
Saranyan,
Makkalukku enna..!! There will be a definite difference in braking...between 80 and 65.
Veru vazhi illai dhan...But not always.! thats MHO.!
Sundaresan,
Life/accidents pathi think pannadha manasu...how does it think about money ticket etc?
Thennavan,
I liked yout post as well. Remember..even fools think alike.!! Just kidding.!!
Grey-Vampire
Your-stature? what does that mean.!! I am feeling very cold here! thanks to the bucket of ice.!
Lalith,
Bad luck my friend...But I bet that would have lasted only for say 10 miles.!
venkat,
IMHO, braking efficiency decreases as the speed goes up.
Venky,
I do and I have done it myself. Its funny isn't it.!
Ram,
I never thought Singpore would be like that.! I thought they are very strict.!
Ram , I agree.!
About Chennai, how fast can we go on those roads (Freeways?). I think only the ECR and GST road after say tambaram.
Amrita,
For a change you made me think.!! What can I say about that Gujarat incident.
Honestly, I strictly follow the rules. I enjoy driving at 65 which my kids and wife complain about some times.!
By the way, the piece in the end where I drove at 80, is only a joke!
Gandalf,
People take life for granted - You said it right.!
How come no updates in your blog? I click on your name and the blog that shows up has a post Feb-21-2005.
Please write.!
So, cops and Police patrol are speed breakers..... is it... Everyone should have a speed breaker in the mind. The concept is... the faster you go lesser is the control. Also people need to be warned... If you do this... you will be given this... mind it... That is why all the rules, like Ticket, Insurance hiked.. etc to control the speed of the cars.
It is an art to maintain speed. Anyhow good that you thought about it and provoked others too......
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