Stop! The signal is Red

A group of law-abiding Mumbaikars came together in October 2010. As the group posted its views on the Mumbai traffic police Facebook page,it spread online and ultimately a citizens community was born in the form of RRUC in January 2011.

RRUC has 700-800 Facebook friends and 200 registered members.

“Most people blame the system or the government for traffic chaos and bad roads but we found people who believe in self-discipline and finding a solution,” said Atul Morey (35),an IT consultant from Wadala.

Bimal Bhatia (43),a stock trader from Ghatkopar,said the RRUC core group was passionate about the cause and always followed traffic rules.

He said a number of people told them they were wasting time but there were a few good experiences along the way as well.

“I was traveling in an auto once when I told the driver who was about to jump a signal that I am in no hurry. He stopped,” Bhatia said.

He said stopping for the elderly was a norm across the world but nobody bothered to follow it here.

“People say sab log karte hai (everybody breaks traffic rules) but that is not what the rules say,” Bhatia said.

“Drivers is Mumbai are like children in kindergarten,” said Sameer Buddha (37),a platoon commander with Home Guard and a RRUC core group member.

“They behave only when there is a teacher or a police officer watching.”

Buddha said he stops at a red signal even at 7 am on a Sunday. “Many people find it ridiculous. They think I stopped because I saw a cop,” he chuckles.

RRUC stickers on cars of members,however,make some drivers pull up next to them at traffic lights to give a thumbs-up. “We always followed traffic rules but these stickers boost our morale,” said Buddha.

RRUC believes there are a number of other things that make a responsible citizen,including parking in the right places,stopping at pedestrian crossings and admitting a traffic violation and paying the penalty for it.

However,they say the law too needs to be made stringent. “You should see how people who don’t care about traffic rules here drive when they go abroad,” Morey said.

The group makes presentations on traffic discipline in schools and clubs to create awareness.