Traffic concerns in urban areas, such as Sector 78 in Noida, significantly affect residents’ daily lives. Individuals who encounter these issues daily may be unaware of the profound impact traffic has on their mental health and behaviour. Aside from the immediate frustration of lost time, serious psychological factors influence individual responses to these stressors.
Frequent exposure to traffic congestion increases stress levels. The constant honking, slow-moving traffic, and endless delays activate the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. Chronic exposure to such stressors leads to heightened anxiety, irritation, and even burnout, particularly among those who commute to work or school.
Wrong-side driving, often justified as a “quick fix” to save time, exemplifies cognitive dissonance – when behaviours contradict safety awareness. Drivers caught in rush hour may convince themselves that such shortcuts are worthwhile, despite impacting all road users. Normalising such behaviour exacerbates the situation by promoting risky practices.
Traffic jams and disregard for road laws
