My Hidden Highway Shame: Unknowingly Becoming India’s Right Lane Blocker
I need to confess something that fills me with a deep sense of shame and regret, something I’ve only recently understood. For years, I was that driver, the one who unknowingly hogged the rightmost lane on Indian highways, oblivious to the frustration I caused. I’m truly sorry.
Driving didn't come naturally to me. Unlike most people who learn in their teens, I didn’t even touch a steering wheel until my late twenties, paralyzed by severe anxiety. My parents, bless their hearts, are themselves not the best drivers and couldn't really guide me beyond the basics. The highway, with its speed and chaos, was a particular terror. It's only been in the last year or so, at 31, after consistent therapy and medication for my phobias, that I finally started feeling somewhat comfortable on long drives.
In my mind, I was always a responsible driver – cautious, never speeding, never in an accident, no challans. I focused on staying steady, not swerving, and just getting from point A to B safely. The rightmost lane felt… safer to me. It often seemed less crowded, and I subconsciously gravitated towards it, cruising along at what I felt was a respectable speed.
It wasn't until recently, watching an online video about proper highway etiquette and reading comments from exasperated drivers, that the cold realization hit me like a truck. My "safe" cruising was actually obstructing faster traffic, causing others to dangerously weave around me, creating unnecessary hazards. My heart sank. All those times I thought I was being cautious, I was actually contributing to the very chaos I tried to avoid. I feel terrible for my ignorance and the inconvenience I've caused countless drivers. I'm actively working on changing my habits now, moving to the left lanes unless I'm actually overtaking. This confession is my first step towards truly becoming a responsible driver on India's roads.
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