Vehicle Hierarchy

In a place as densely populated as India- 1.16 billion in an area 1/3 the size of the US, space on roadways is at a premium. Because of this, a clear hierarchy has emerged to me. I still am trying to grasp many other aspects of traffic over here but this is one that I am confident on. It can often be reduced to sheer size, speed and weight, but as you’ll see this is not always the case. The lowliest of all is the pedestrian, being the lightest and slowest moving thing on the road. Next are motorcycles, being faster and heavier than peds. Rickshaws are often slower than motorcycles, but, being that they are slightly heavier and more stable, they are higher in the order.

This is followed by passenger cars and then by SUVs. The only exception to this is the Hindustan Ambassador car, which I think is higher than an SUV (see pic). They have been making these things since 1957 and their style has not changed- AT ALL! It looks like something straight out of the 50’s doesn’t it? Apparently, they are often are used by VIPs and I see them all over the city, especially since Chennai is the capitol of TN. The reason for their higher status has to do with who is inside but also that these things are like tanks from what I understand- super heavy and designed old-school- forget wimpy crumple zones or other energy absorbing features- these things would take on a modern SUV no problem.

On top of passenger vehicles are the biggest guys on the road- the heavy trucks (often called lorries over here) and busses. Being the largest and heaviest would make you think they are tops, but there is one thing above them- the cow. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are everywhere. I thought they would mainly be a rural phenomenon but I was wrong, you can see them all around the city, eating what they can, wandering around and pulling carts full of goods. They gain their status because they are seen as holy and you would be in BIG trouble if you were to hit one. I salute you cows, for you are the top of the traffic pecking order!