Man Compares Traffic In Pune And Germany, Points Out ‘Lack Of Civic Sense In Indians’

Civic sense, the individual awareness and responsibility towards community well-being, public spaces, and laws, has often sparked online discussion, particularly in India. Its perceived absence contributes

to problems like littering, traffic violations and damage to public property.

Recently, an Indian man compared commuter behaviour during a traffic jam in Pune, Maharashtra, to that in Germany, reigniting the debate. Taking to Instagram, the middle-aged man dropped a video wherein he is seen sitting inside a car, stuck in traffic in Pune.

Indian Man Compares Pune Traffic Jams To That Of Germany

In the clip, he said, “I’m currently caught in a traffic jam in Pune, but I was also stuck in one in Germany a few days ago. And the big difference is that even on a two-lane highway, people on the left lane will stick to the extreme left during a jam, and people on the extreme right will stick to the extreme right, leaving the centre lane open for emergency vehicles to pass through, which does not require any infrastructure. It only demands a little bit of respect for emergency vehicles.”

The video highlighted why commuters must give way to emergency vehicles because it directly contributes to saving lives by reducing response times for ambulances, fire engines, and police cars during emergencies.

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How Did Social Media React?

In no time, the comments section was flooded with reactions, with many people calling out “lack of civic sense” as the main issue behind this. An Instagram user commented, “If we develop civic sense, India harbours a lot of potential to grow.” Another one wrote, “The funny thing is that the same people who lack civic sense, if they get an opportunity to drive in other countries, will learn to be disciplined.”

One of them shared, “And a little bit of civic sense is also needed.”

A person wrote, “Yes, Civic sense is a big problem. But saying it doesn’t need infrastructure is a stretch. Look at the road breadth, the quality.” A user penned, “Civic sense exists only when there is some empathy for others!”

A comment read, “Requires civic sense. Unfortunately, we don’t have it, bro.”

“The thing is, every person driving in India thinks he’s in an emergency,” someone wrote.

Under India’s Motor Vehicles Act, drivers must move aside for approaching emergency vehicles to allow them unobstructed passage.