Traffic Rules In India That Everyone Should Know

• Traffic rules are in place to ensure that people on the road are safe and sound. These rules are applicable to both motorists and people walking on the footpath.   Following these rules and regulations are extremely important for everyone. But   sadly, in India, most people are either not aware of quite a number of rules   or   have a lot of misconception in terms of following the rules. Discussed below   are   some violations covered under The Motor Vehicle Act that might attract a fine.
•  India Traffic Signs Categories:
• The various categories of India traffic signs are mentioned below - 
• Mandatory traffic signs - It is mandatory for drivers to abide by this set of traffic signs on the road. The efficient flow of traffic on the road is the goal of required traffic signboards. In fact, it is against the law to disregard any required traffic signs. 
• Informative signs - Any drivers who don't have a map or are unaware of the amenities nearby can benefit from informative signs. They can assist drivers by giving them directions or providing information about local hospitals, pay phones, and parking spaces. 
• Cautionary traffic signs - Cautionary traffic signs are intended to alert vehicles to any potential hazards on the road ahead, such as construction zones, potholes, and speed bumps. While not inherently so, if one doesn't slow down their car, accidents might happen. As a result, you must treat warning traffic signs just as seriously as those that are required.

          India Traffic Rules:

•  The various traffic rules in India are mentioned below - Before making a   turn, you must remain on the left side if you want to turn left.
•  If you're on a two-way street or road, keep to the left so that traffic moving   the other way can pass easily utilising the right lane. 
• You must reduce your speed as you approach a road intersection, a road junction, or a pedestrian crossing. 
• You must be in the middle of the road and make a broad, progressive right turn if you want to turn right ahead. 
• When being overtaken by a vehicle, you are not allowed to raise your speed or interfere in any other way with the overtaking vehicle.

 Parking is prohibited on footpaths, roads, and hilltops that are used by people. The same is not allowed in close proximity to traffic lights, a road crossing, a building's entry or if it covers a fire hydrant.

• You and your passenger must both wear helmets if you are operating a two-wheeler. 
• Per two-wheeler, a single pillion passenger is allowed. 
• The front and back of your car must always bear your car Registration Number (VRN), whether it be temporary or permanent. 
• There should never be anything in the way of your car's headlights or taillights. 
• Any cyclists on the road require drivers to give them room. 
• On a one-way road, it is against the law to drive the other way. 
• Roadside STOP signs must be heeded, and no stopping is permitted past them. 
• One must not cross the yellow line when passing another car. 
• Only use honking when absolutely required. 
• Certain items, such as explosive and flammable ones, cannot be loaded into the car. 
• Your car must be on the right side of the road when travelling up a mountain or hill. 
• Only the right side may be used for overtaking.

         Generic Traffic Laws in India:

• Getting blocked at a parking lot: If the exit of your vehicle is blocked by another vehicle parked in front of yours at a parking lot, you can call the cops on the owner/driver of the vehicle who would have to pay a fine for blocking your way. 
• Non-functional Horn: A driver can be slapped with a fine for driving a vehicle with a non-functional horn. Horns are used to warn other commuters on the road and is expected to be functional. The non-compliance of this law attracts a fine.
• City Based Traffic Laws in India:
• First Aid: In Kolkata and Chennai, if a driver fails to provide first aid to his/her injured passenger after the vehicle meets with an accident, he/she might have to pay a fine or serve a period of three months in jail. 
• Smoking inside a Car: In Delhi-NCR, smoking inside a car is a violation of law. If somebody is found guilty of smoking inside a car, he/she might have to pay a fine. 
• Parking in front of Public Utility Buildings or Service Spots: In Kolkata, parking a vehicle in front of a public utility building or service spots like bus stops is a violation of the law and might attract a fine. 
• Borrowing a Car: In Chennai, if you are borrowing somebody's car, it should be duly informed to the person. Failing to abide by the rule, you might be slapped with a hefty fine or three-month jail term. 
• Installing a Video Device: It is a punishable offence to install a TV or any other video device on the car's dashboard, in Mumbai. Violation of this rule can attract a fine. 
• Idling the Car: Leaving your car's ignition on while it is idling is a violation of law in Mumbai and can be fined.

 

Myths About Traffic Rules In India:

Traffic rules are not always followed very closely, especially in India. That is also one of the major reasons that India is ranked high for road accidents and mortality. There are also certain myths regarding the Indian Traffic rules, which are believed to be true by a whole lot of citizens. Let us bust those myths in the following discussion.

 Myth - 1: There is no need to follow the traffic lights past 10 PM:

Many a times, vehicles are engaged in accidents at night due to the disobedience of traffic lights. It is a common myth in India that there is no need to obey the traffic signals after 10 o'clock at night. There might be certain traffic signals which are turned off at night as the traffic goes down. Some might be fully or partly operational with blinking red or yellow lights. Let us understand the meaning of these lights.
Firstly, if the lights are fully functional, it should be obeyed. Secondly, if the signals are partially working, i.e. if the red or yellow lights are blinking, you need to understand the implication. A blinking red light means - Stop, Look, and Proceed. The blinking yellow light, on the other hand, asks you to - Slow down, Look, and Proceed.

 

Myth - 2: It is not an offense to reverse a vehicle on a one-way road:

This is one of the biggest misconceptions that Indian commuters have. It is not at all lawful to reverse a vehicles on a one-way road. What matters most on a one-way road is the direction of the traffic flow and not the direction the vehicle is facing.

 Myth - 3: Parking anywhere is fine if it does not have a 'No Parking' board:

This is a very common practice in India. People often tend to park their vehicles anywhere as long as a 'No Parking' board is not put up. But there are certain exceptions. One cannot park their vehicle in front of a hospital or school entrance, bus stops, main roads, near traffic signals, or zebra crossings. Not complying to these rules might result in your vehicle being towed and fined for the offense.

 Myth - 4: Overtaking is permitted only on the right:

The Indian Traffic rules necessitate a driver to drive on the left lane and thus overtaking is allowed only on the right. However, it is not always applicable. If a car in the front is taking a right turn and has turned the right blinker on, the car at the back is permitted to overtake from the left, provided there is ample room to do so.

Myth - 5: It is OK to drive or ride with your headlights at high beam all the time:

The high beams offer you a better visibility in unlit or dark areas as the range of light is longer than low beams. Using high beams while driving on highways or unlit rural roads is a necessity. But using the high beam in a crowded and well-lit area is very dangerous as the oncoming traffic can be blinded because of the lights, leading to a mishap. It is also important to switch to low beam whenever there is an oncoming vehicle or when you are driving behind another vehicle.

 Myth - 6: It is OK to drive even after drinking if the driver had food after drinking:

This is a huge misconception. Eating food along with your alcoholic drink or after your drink does reduce the alcohol absorption. But the absorption is somewhere around 10 percent to 20 percent. The blood alcohol concentration or blood alcohol content (also known as BAC) should not be more than 0.03 percent. That is 30 mg for every 100 ml of blood. This is the legal limit. But if an average sized adult has had two or more drinks, he/she is highly likely to be well past the prescribed BAC limit.

Myth-7: Using handsfree device to attend phone calls is safe and not a violation of law:

The Indian traffic rules clearly designates the usage of mobile phones while driving as a violation of law. The usage of cell phones while driving is bound to make the driver distracted and thus increases the chances of a mishap. In fact, talking over the phone causes more distraction than listening to music on the car's stereo system. Many drivers have the mindset that using a headset to talk over the phone is fine. But in reality, using a headset can block the external noises like horns and other vehicles and that is detrimental in all possible ways.

Traffic rules are made and asked to be followed to ensure our safety. There's no harm in following them and staying safe on the roads. Knowing and following traffic rules just helps you become a better and safer commuter.

 FAQs on Traffic Rules In India

1. Who has the authority to immediately collect fines for moving violations?

The authority to collect traffic infraction fees on the spot at the time the challan is issued belongs to an Assistant Sub-inspector or a traffic police branch officer of higher rank. 

2. What is the policy on using seat belts in cars?

When the automobile is moving, everyone in the front passenger and driver seats must be buckled up. 

3. Which vehicle documentation should a motorist have with them at all times?

Your driver's licence, registration certificate, tax paid receipt, emission test certificate, and insurance certificate must all be kept on you at all times. You must have a fitness certificate and permit with you at all times when operating a transport vehicle.

If you are discovered driving while intoxicated, the fine is Rs.10,000 and/or a maximum of 6 months in jail for a first offence and Rs.15,000 and/or a maximum of 2 years for a second or subsequent crime. The court will seek payment of this fine. 

5. Can I get two licences to drive in India?

No, in India you cannot possess two driving licences. A person who is found to have two or more driving licences may face severe fines under the new Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019.