By Junaid Tahir The family picnic last weekend was fantastic; we had a lot of fun at the beach park. However, it was also exhausting...
By Junaid Tahir
The family picnic last weekend was fantastic; we had a lot of fun at the beach park. However, it was also exhausting due to the physical activities like cycling, running, and games we enjoyed for six hours. On the drive back, I was eager to get home quickly for a deep sleep. At a traffic signal near my neighborhood, which had a long wait time of 3-4 minutes, I was losing my patience. I had the choice to either wait for the light to turn green or take a short, illegal off-track road to reach home faster. I decided to wait at the signal instead of breaking the traffic rules. During this time, I noticed another driver doing exactly what I had considered—taking the illegal route. As soon as he crossed the yellow road side lane to take the rough track, a police car, which was also waiting at the signal, immediately stopped him in the neighborhood. The police fined him 500 AED (approximately 13,000 PKR or 7,400 INR) for the traffic violation. I was grateful for my decision to wait and avoid ending up with a fine and a bad day.
From this experience, I learned a few important lessons:
- Traffic laws should be followed strictly in all situations, except in real emergencies. Some countries, like the UAE, have stringent rules for violations to ensure traffic safety and maintain law and order.
- Do not underestimate any violations, no matter how small they may seem. You never know the significant impact your seemingly small mistake or error might cause to someone else.
- Your actions, whether good or bad, create a ripple effect in society. For example, if you drive recklessly, young people who observe you might imitate your behavior. This can lead to more people adopting the same reckless behavior. Conversely, if you do good to someone, they may spread that goodness to others, creating a positive ripple effect. Therefore, strive to create ripples of happiness, care, and love, spreading peace, tranquility, and contentment in the world.
- Avoid shortcuts in life, as they can lead to regret. Instead, try to follow standard practices and procedures, setting a good example for others
