Rain destroys Dhaka drivers’ muscle memory: a study

Drivers on Dhaka roads lose the ability to switch on muscle memory the moment there is more than 5mm of rain, according to an in-depth study.  

Researchers involved said the study was in-depth because they stood on the roadside in shin-deep rainwater while conducting the research.

"Drivers lose all muscle memory when the rain becomes even a little heavy," Hashem Kashem, lead researcher, told a fellow shelter-seeker beneath the awning of a roadside shop while it was pouring down yesterday.

Moreover, he said, shouting to be heard above the din of the rain, it initially seemed that the puddles, that form conveniently next to sidewalks during rain, emanate a magnetic force that draws vehicles to them and result in dirty water being splashed on pedestrians.

Stepping past a car that was wrapped around a lamp post, another researcher said, "But soon our research revealed that puddles form everywhere on Dhaka streets. It's not just by the sidewalk."

According to the in-depth study, this incapacitation leaves drivers unable to turn on their wipers, and some just stop in the middle of the road.

"Anyway," Hashem said, casting a dirty glance at his soaked co-researcher, "The crux of the matter is that even if there are puddles everywhere, the rain induces a level of panic in the drivers that retards their muscle movement, so they are unable to avoid the puddles. This is latest research, and we have arrived at the conclusion just now after tens of minutes of study."

According to the in-depth study, this incapacitation leaves drivers unable to turn on their wipers, and some just stop in the middle of the road.

"There may be something in the water that scares people more than it ought to, especially as they grew up in a rainy country," said the other researcher. "You see this in motorcyclists, as they crowd in the middle of the street beneath a flyover, because apparently protecting yourself from rain is more important than protecting from cars that are being driven by drivers who can't turn on wipers."

The other shelter seeker, to whom the researchers were revealing their findings, asked, "Why are you guys telling me this? This isn't a press conference or something, I'm just waiting the rain out."

"Oh, we're not thinking straight. We drove here. That's my car wrapped around the post. This guy [points at companion] thought he could avoid a puddle," said Hashem.