The anger gridlock

Remember the theory about "Survival of the Fittest?" It is alive and, in fact, thriving in the streets of Dhaka where, every day, one witnesses SUVs with reinforced fenders bulldozing their way in the midst of the traffic gridlock. Smaller vehicles, motorbikes, and rickshaws also jostle for space in a constant battle to get ahead. However, it's the mightiest that win this tug of war of hooting horns, prodding buses, flaring tempers and, sometimes, violent fist fights!
Traffic congestion is not unique to Dhaka. Almost all mega cities have their fair share of frustration. But in most countries, vehicles keep moving in an orderly fashion. Few break out of lane, or honk, or jump the queue. What is it that makes the difference? Is it the volume of traffic, inadequate infrastructure or is it a systemic failure where traffic laws are not imposed? The following incidents may throw some light on the underlying causes of the traffic mayhem in Dhaka!
A couple of months ago a friend was driving, in pouring rain, on a US highway when she had a flat tire. Because of adverse weather conditions and the consequent traffic crawl, she was stuck in the middle lane and couldn't pull onto the shoulder. Switching on her double blinkers, she called AAA (the roadside auto service) and decided to wait inside the car. Unfortunately, within minutes she was rear-ended by another driver. As if this was not bad enough, the lady who had rammed into her car stomped toward her in a rage and punched her right in the face. The physical attack was accompanied by screaming obscenities and accusations about bad driving. My friend called 911 and the police arrived within minutes. The woman who had assaulted my friend was arrested. Subsequently, she was convicted in a court and put on two years probation, including mandatory participation in anger management classes.
Recently, someone shared a story about a road rage episode that occurred in Dhaka. The Bangladeshi version, however, had quite a different twist. In this case the trailing car was a racing Pajero, which ploughed into a mini Honda stalled in the middle of the road, with a flat. No sooner did this happen, two men in black outfits (complete with aviator sunglasses and gold chains) emerged from the Pajero and started thrashing the Honda's driver.
Apparently, the beating was interspersed with comments like: "You two-penny worth of SOB driving a tin toy, how dare you stop in the middle of the road? Is it your father's property?" The verbal tirade seemed to insinuate that a more expensive car had more rights and smaller vehicles should know their place in public streets. As expected, a large crowd gathered and watched the debacle with side comments and a degree of resignation. No one thought of calling the police.
Finally, a frightened lady came out of the Honda and begged the Pajero guys to spare her helpless driver. She, literally, snatched him away from the attackers after which the "proud Pajero" sped away leaving the "humiliated Honda" to replace its tire.
Readers, before some of you leap to the conclusion that I am holding the perpetrators of the "driver-thrashing" incident to high Western standards, let me clarify that I sincerely believe that basic human instincts are the same world over. In both episodes, the offenders behaved irrationally and succumbed to their anger and rage. However, in the first case the authorities promptly stepped in and defused an emotionally charged situation. Besides, the aggressor was given the strong message that assaulting a person is a criminal offence. In the Dhaka incident, the attackers took the law in their hands and departed with the confidence that they can repeat the offence without any repercussions. The underlying point is that when citizens understand that even a minor infraction of the law will invoke heavy penalties or arrest, they tend to become more cautious and law-abiding
The close correlation between orderly behaviour and enforcement of discipline is amply demonstrated by the queue at the bus stand in front of the Gulshan Market in Dhaka. The bus authorities have instituted a rule that anyone breaking the line will not get to ride the bus. Result? People form long, disciplined lines and follow the directive, despite the fact that there is no police intervention. If you don't believe me just take a little time to visit the spot during peak traffic hour and you will be pleasantly surprised to see how well the system works. It will restore your faith in the ability of the common people to respect the law, provided there is fairness, accountability and incentive!

The writer is a renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent and a former employee of the World Bank.