The Odd-Even Rule Hasn't Always Been A Success. Here Are A Few Instances From Across The World Where It Failed!
As Delhi continues the second phase of odd-even driving rules, let's look at instances when it did not achieve the desired result. In most cases, people found a way to flout the law.
While Delhi seems to be struggling with the second phase of the odd-even, fresh debate has arisen on the competency of the drive.
Turns out, the odd-even rule has been revoked in certain places in the past and does not guarantee positive results. Let's look through some such instances:
Beijing, China
Just before the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing enforced the odd-even traffic rationing to curb private vehicle movement on alternate days. A government study showed a 40 per cent reduction of emmisions while the rule was brought into force. However, after the Olympics, the odd-even rule was discarded to make way for more elaborate traffic rules which have helped the city breathe easy.
Paris, France
In a startling first, the city of Paris also introduced odd-even rule. Although, just for a day! It was said that the objective of the rule was achieved in just one day and hence there was no need to continue the rule.
Mexico City, Mexico
To start with, their rule was a lot more complicated with car being banned from the street depending on the last digit of their registration number. On Mondays five and six were banned, on Tuesdays seven and eight, and so on. interestingly, while the rule helped in reduction of emissions for an initial period, residents invested in more cars to beat the rule. So, the air pollution increased by 13 per cent.
Bogot¨¢, Columbia
Called 'Peak and Plate', the rule prohibited cars from movement on the streets during the peak hours for two days every week. In light of the events in Mexico City, the government also kept changing the days and numbers every year so that citizens would not be tempted to buy more cars. Yet, the rule did not prove to be very effective as citizens chose to drive during off-peak hours instead.
