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10 Weird Things That Happen Only On Indian Roads

By Anirudh Narayanan

Traffic in India can be quite a nightmare to get through. The millions of vehicles and the pedestrians cause enough problems. But there are some weird things that happen only in India. Lets take a look at some of them.

Honking Is Our Birthright

Honking Is Our Birthright

In India there is a strange belief that if a person honks, the other vehicles in his path will disappear. Or so they seem to think! Sometimes it seems like a game; the guy who honks continuously or if his horn is shrillest wins the battle. As absurd as that sounds, honking is excessively practised in India. This makes the traffic on Indian roads even more unbearable.

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Footpath? More Like War-Path

Footpath? More Like War-Path

Footpaths in India exist for namesake. People cannot really walk on a footpath because motorcycles are fighting past each other to the imaginary finish line. Traffic rules in India are often flouted. Footpath driving just one of the many.

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U-Turns Wherever Possible

U-Turns Wherever Possible

People who visit India for the first time are often shocked how drivers take U-turns wherever possible. The damaged and broken dividers make it easier for them to take u-turns at will and they don't even flinch, as everyone does the same.

Helmets? Who Wears One!

Helmets? Who Wears One!

It is quite common to find guys zooming past on their motorcycles without helmets. They think they look cool, until of course they lose their lives in a freak accident! Sorry to sound so blunt but that's what happens when you go without helmets in the crazy Indian traffic.

Speed Breakers Are A Safety Hazard In India!

Speed Breakers Are A Safety Hazard In India!

In other countries it is rare to find speed breakers. Even if they do exist, they are scientifically placed and serve the purpose without causing further inconvenience. But Indian speed breakers can be found in various sizes and shapes. More often than not, these so called 'speed breakers' cause accidents!

Low Beam? What Is That?

Low Beam? What Is That?

Another very bad habit of drivers in India is the urge to always ride with high beam headlight. They really don't care if the person on the other side can see the road or not. They don't even think they are causing any difficulty to other drivers, unless they are at the receiving end! Then all hell breaks loose.

Racing Ambulances Is A Hobby

Racing Ambulances Is A Hobby

Ambulances are mostly in a mad rush to save a patient or rushing to a spot for some other emergency. But Indians are mostly an amused lot! They race the ambulance from one traffic light to the other. Somehow they assume that their work is more important than a dying person. Though it is sad, it is true. But we do admit some drivers do pave way whenever they see an ambulance. Kudos to them!

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The Holy Traffic Jams

The Holy Traffic Jams

Indians consider cows to be sacred. So it's not too surprising that some of the longest traffic jams are caused by cows, buffaloes and the likes. They stray around on the street, not budging to move and these lead to some of the craziest traffic jams in India.

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One Way Street? Yeah, Right!

One Way Street? Yeah, Right!

One way streets are mostly just a label or a rusting sign board! Nobody really cares while driving if it is a one way road or a two way road. Some will zoom past you from the opposite direction and you better keep your eyes on the road! Traffic on Indian roads is already worse, breaking one way rules further adds to the problem.

Traffic Lights? He He He. . . .

Traffic Lights? He He He. . . .

Those lights that blink red, orange, green now and then, mostly exist just for namesake. Unless a traffic police is standing and accessing the situation, there will be people who will break the rules. They will turn a blind eye to the stop signal. And that is what causes accidents.

Story first published: Saturday, February 21, 2015, 15:27 [IST]
Read more about: life bizzare