Careless driving

I have been driving for more than a decade in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. I have noticed some interesting rules of driving which I believe would apply to almost all urban areas of Pakistan. If I am overtaking someone, s/he should slow down and let me overtake, but if someone is overtaking me I will not allow him/her to do so as it’s an insult to me. If I am flashing headlights or honking horn, the drivers in front of me should immediately give way to overtake but if someone behind me is doing same then s/he is stupid and I would definitely not give way. I would prefer being stuck up in traffic at signals for hours, but would not slow down and allow pedestrians to cross roads. If my car broke down in the middle of the road, I would expect people to understand and slow down and don’t honk horns. But if someone else’s car is broken down, I will make sure that I remind him/her never to stop car in the middle of the road.

If I am driving in fast lane, vehicles me should be patient and follow me. But in case someone is in front of me, s/he should understand that fast lane is meant for driving ‘fast’. If I have to go to fast lane for a U-turn the people in fast lane should cooperate as I have given indicator to turn right, but if I am in fast lane and someone trying to come in this line for a u-turn or whatever, I must not give him/her a chance as there are many behind me who could be ‘more’ considerate. If I have to take a U-turn, the traffic at the other side should slow down and let me move, but if I am in fast lane and someone is taking a u-turn, s/he should wait as long as there is no vehicle in fast lane. Do these rules appear to be unfair? It is hoped that drivers will try changing those habits that irk other motorists.

Abdul Rauf (Islamabad)