Rules to be broken.

Over the years whenever any of my friends from foreign shores have visited me, they cannot get over the mind boggling mire that is Mumbai traffic. First thing that hits them is the blaring of horns. Then the blinkered way the rickshaw/taxi drivers drive totally ignoring the other drivers and getting their way... literally. The size of the other vehicles don't bother them at all. The bigger the other vehicle .... more thrill cutting through his path!
The RTO rules are always meant to be broken. Partly I feel that the authorities are also responsible. Just to show people that "we" have given you a four lane high way, if you draw lanes, which are tailored for minis then obviously the heavy vehicles are already in your path.
Talking about the rules. It is mandatory to wear a helmet while riding a two wheeler. Other day I saw the pillion rider holding the helmet in his hand. I couldn't help laughing as a thought struck me. He must be holding it so that when they did sight a traffic police officer he would dump the helmet on the driver's head so that they wouldn't have to pay the fine. 80% of the riders don't wear the helmet, which incidently is for their own safety. Unless each and every offender is fined this rule will be taken as just an irritation to be swatted away.
Similar is the case of seat belts. Some drivers just take it over the shoulders. It's not even taken across the body. Some smart alec came up with the idea of wearing T-shirts which had a black stripe going across which looked like a seat belt...... so that the police wouldn't know the difference. How would it be possible to make people understand the importance of these rules? Some years back a lady went to the RTO to give her driving exam. When the police officer asked her what a particular sign meant. She told him she couldn't remember. I guess the officer had a great sense of humour. He told the lady..... madam you are right..... these days no one takes this sign into consideration. By the way for your information this is the STOP sign. :)
He was so right. Stopping at the red signal is an ego prob with many a rickshaw-wallahs.
Only a person who drives in Mumbai knows the kind of reflexes one requires. It is like playing chess. You have to be at least 10 moves ahead of the driver in front of you. You have to be a mind reader, chess player and a Houdini to get through the traffic and still get to the destination on time and in one piece.
Even then I guess being a pucca Mumbaikar.... I will say theres no place like Mumbai.