Stop, That's Banned!
Amazing what an authoritarian government can come up with. For the good of its citizens, to be sure. And we think we're getting to be a nagging nanny-state! The government of New Delhi, a city of fourteen million people, has tagged some egregious habits people foist upon themselves and others.
Lots of others, given that staggering population. Wouldn't think there would be much elbow room; every time you turn around you'd be whacking into someone. Hard to imagine, but one supposes there's a lot of 'pardon-me' and 'oops' and 'sorreee' being flung around. Unlike a similar population density in Tokyo, for example, where overt politeness is the order of the day, and no one bumps into anyone else but if it does happen, one bows from the waist.
To keep the peace. To maintain a modicum of civility. You know how it is; don't we all. I'm the type that will hold a door open for anyone behind me. And when the person for whom I've extended this courtesy swaggers right through without so much as a brief nod or a verbal acknowledgement of my politesse, I respond for him/her with an exaggerated "you're welcome". (And don't feel too kindly disposed toward them as a result.)
But we were discussing New Delhi, India, and that's not Ottawa, Canada. Two New Delhi judges have taken it upon themselves for the greater good of the community to bar smoking while navigating/operating a motor vehicle. No kidding. They've decided that since smoking poses serious health risks, and driving in New Delhi is considered to be "dangerous to human life", the juxtaposition of same become legally prohibited.
This is a nod to the fact of life in New Delhi that they suffer a surfeit of habitually bad drivers. They've that at least in common with most other communities. Those emotional, argumentative, politically-savvy and mad-for-the-law litigious-prone Indians being put on full notice. Moreover, the evil of cellphone use while under the influence of a car wheel now also falls under the weight of this new prohibition.
"Anything that distracts the attention of driver is dangerous. The human mind cannot do two things simultaneously", said New Delhi's traffic commissioner, Qamar Ahmed, welcoming the ruling for New Delhi which comes into effect on April 9. Right on. Those caught in the act of puffing will be fined the equivalent of about $37 Cdn, a hefty fine by New Delhi standards.
And whoa! offenders with more than five citations will have their driving license revoked. Similar fines apply to cellphone use while driving, along with the offence of "dangerous driving". Wouldn't mind a little of that vigilance imported here, matter of fact. The cellphone-and-driving part, in any event. Anyone who wants to puff themselves silly, who cares?
Odd nothing mentioned about the use of drugs or alcohol imperilling the roads of New Delhi. If smoking and cellphone use is the worst of humanly-adapted bad behaviours they're in fine shape. No road rage problems? Gee, wonder if they've given adequate thought to chewing gum while driving?
Lots of others, given that staggering population. Wouldn't think there would be much elbow room; every time you turn around you'd be whacking into someone. Hard to imagine, but one supposes there's a lot of 'pardon-me' and 'oops' and 'sorreee' being flung around. Unlike a similar population density in Tokyo, for example, where overt politeness is the order of the day, and no one bumps into anyone else but if it does happen, one bows from the waist.
To keep the peace. To maintain a modicum of civility. You know how it is; don't we all. I'm the type that will hold a door open for anyone behind me. And when the person for whom I've extended this courtesy swaggers right through without so much as a brief nod or a verbal acknowledgement of my politesse, I respond for him/her with an exaggerated "you're welcome". (And don't feel too kindly disposed toward them as a result.)
But we were discussing New Delhi, India, and that's not Ottawa, Canada. Two New Delhi judges have taken it upon themselves for the greater good of the community to bar smoking while navigating/operating a motor vehicle. No kidding. They've decided that since smoking poses serious health risks, and driving in New Delhi is considered to be "dangerous to human life", the juxtaposition of same become legally prohibited.
This is a nod to the fact of life in New Delhi that they suffer a surfeit of habitually bad drivers. They've that at least in common with most other communities. Those emotional, argumentative, politically-savvy and mad-for-the-law litigious-prone Indians being put on full notice. Moreover, the evil of cellphone use while under the influence of a car wheel now also falls under the weight of this new prohibition.
"Anything that distracts the attention of driver is dangerous. The human mind cannot do two things simultaneously", said New Delhi's traffic commissioner, Qamar Ahmed, welcoming the ruling for New Delhi which comes into effect on April 9. Right on. Those caught in the act of puffing will be fined the equivalent of about $37 Cdn, a hefty fine by New Delhi standards.
And whoa! offenders with more than five citations will have their driving license revoked. Similar fines apply to cellphone use while driving, along with the offence of "dangerous driving". Wouldn't mind a little of that vigilance imported here, matter of fact. The cellphone-and-driving part, in any event. Anyone who wants to puff themselves silly, who cares?
Odd nothing mentioned about the use of drugs or alcohol imperilling the roads of New Delhi. If smoking and cellphone use is the worst of humanly-adapted bad behaviours they're in fine shape. No road rage problems? Gee, wonder if they've given adequate thought to chewing gum while driving?
Labels: Whoops
posted by Pieface @ 12:00 PM
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