A Reflection on Pollution, Responsibility, and Survival in Everyday Traffic
There is a saying I remember often:
“Don’t tell a lion that I am a vegetarian, so don’t eat me.”
It sounds humorous at first. But if you observe traffic closely—it reveals a hard truth about how society actually functions.
The Meaning Behind the Saying
The proverb does not encourage cruelty.
It teaches realism.
Being disciplined, responsible, or considerate does not guarantee safety. The world does not automatically adjust to your values. Just like a lion follows instinct, systems move forward unless checked by awareness and enforcement.
A Scene from Everyday Traffic
At traffic signals across cities and towns, the pattern is familiar.
Vehicles emitting thick black smoke
Poorly maintained engines
Oil burning and incomplete combustion
Emission checks that exist only on paper
Modern exhaust pipes are often angled upward, placing the exhaust stream directly at the breathing level of the rider or commuter behind. In tightly packed traffic, there is no escape. You inhale whatever comes out.
You may service your vehicle regularly.
You may care about emissions.
But the smoke doesn’t care.
That is the lion.
And Then There Are Indicators…
If smoke damages lungs, ignored indicators damage sanity.
Indicators are among the simplest and most basic safety features on any vehicle. Yet on roads everywhere, they are frequently treated as optional.
Common scenes repeat globally:
Sudden turns without any signal
Indicators blinking long after the turn is completed
Right indicator on, vehicle turns left
No indicator at all—others are expected to guess
Some people genuinely do not understand their purpose.
Many more understand, but choose not to bother.
The unspoken attitude seems to be:
“I know where I’m going. Why should I inform anyone else?”
That single mindset leads to:
Near misses
Sudden braking
Frustration
Accidents that were entirely avoidable
All because pressing a small switch felt unnecessary.
Good Intentions vs Ground Reality
We like to believe:
“If I follow the rules, traffic will be safer.”
Reality disagrees.
Responsibility is unevenly distributed. Predictability is rare. Everyone expects others to adapt.
This behavior cuts across income levels and regions. Many vehicles lacking basic discipline still display:
High-powered lights
Modified exhausts
Cosmetic upgrades
Yet show little concern for the people sharing the road.
The Invisible Cost
Polluted air slowly damages health
Sudden movements raise stress levels
Constant alertness causes fatigue
Daily irritation becomes normalized tension
These costs are rarely counted, but they accumulate quietly.
The Real Lesson of the Proverb
The proverb does not say:
“Become aggressive.”
It says:
“Do not be naïve.”
Don’t assume common sense is universal
Don’t expect courtesy to be automatic
Don’t rely on others to protect your safety
Awareness becomes your first defense.
Survival with Sanity
Until discipline becomes collective:
Maintain distance whenever possible
Avoid stopping directly behind exhaust outlets
Watch vehicle movement, not just signals
Assume sudden turns are possible
Switch off engines during long stops
Stay calm—anger consumes more energy than traffic
Final Thought
Roads are shared.
Air is shared.
But responsibility is not shared equally.
So don’t tell the lion you’re a vegetarian.
Learn how to move wisely in its territory.
That isn’t pessimism.
That is awareness...
This is only for awareness... awareness.. awareness
