Language of the Roads
Not just the "What" of road traffic rules, but the "Why" al so
(Rules covered are based on traffic laws in India, but most of the
logic is common across the world. Just keep left/right conventions in mind when
using these in other countries).
Rule: You must drive on the left of the road. “Keep Left” first
started in Rome, but the first law on it was made in 1756 in England. In 75
countries, you have to drive on the left, in 167 countries, on the right.
Traffic Logic: To avoid collisions, people driving in opposite
directions should be on opposite sides of the road.
Rule: Pedestrians must walk on the left of the pavement, whether
there is only one pavement, or pavement on both sides of the road. If there is
no pavement, they must walk on the right side of the road.
Traffic Logic: Pedestrians can turn or stop faster than a vehicle.
They must walk facing oncoming traffic so that they can see when it is
necessary to give way to the vehicle by stepping to the side. If there is only
one pavement, pedestrians closer to the road must face the traffic, for the
same reason. If there is a pavement on both sides, pedestrians walk in the same
direction as traffic.
Rule: Overtake only from the right,
unless the vehicle in front has signaled an intention to turn right.
Traffic
Logic: We drive on the left, and the driver sits on the right. Slow traffic is
in the left lane and fast traffic in the right lane. To overtake, we have to
change lanes. Moving to the right, we can see what is in front by moving a
little into the other lane. Moving left, we can only see it when most of the
vehicle is in the left lane--CRASH. The obstruction caused to other traffic and
chances of collision are much less when moving right. Also, there is less speed
difference with the slow vehicles on the left.
Overtaking
a vehicle that is turning right, will put the overtaking vehicle in the path of
the turning vehicle--CRASH.
Rule:
Use the turn indicator to signal when you are leaving the main traffic lane,
not when the road changes direction. Turn indicators can be used to tell
traffic behind you where to overtake.
Traffic
Logic: Use turn indicators to signal your intentions to other road users,
especially those behind you. Example: If the main road makes a right turn and
there is a small side road continuing straight, you do not need to use the
right turn indicator if you are on the main road. However, if you plan to take
the small road, going straight, you should give a left turn indication.
On
a straight road, the vehicle in front should signal right if it wants the
following vehicle not to overtake (wait for „side‟). To tell the following
vehicle to overtake (from the right), it should signal left, not right.
Truckers often get this wrong.
Roundabouts:
In technical terms, a roundabout is a way to convert “cross” traffic into
“merge” and “diverge” traffic, which is safer.
Rule:
On roundabouts, “give way to traffic on your right”.
Traffic Logic: One reason
is to avoid “gridlock”. Imagine the roundabout to be a road with traffic going
round continually. Traffic on the
right
is traffic already in the stream. If this traffic has to give way to traffic
that is yet to join, nobody will be able to move. Hence, leaving the stream has
priority over joining it. The other reason is that doing it the other way
results in unsafe “left side overtaking”.
Rule:
A red triangle with the point downward means “give way” or “yield”. This sign
is put up at junctions with main roads, and at roundabouts.
Traffic
Logic: “Give way” means slow down and move into the road only if there is a gap
in the traffic to which you are giving way. If necessary, stop and wait. Do not
bully your way into the traffic.
Rule:
When joining or continuing in a roundabout, give a “right” indication. When
leaving, give a “left” indication.
Traffic
Logic: You are indicating whether you are moving into the stream (right) and
out of it (left). Giving a left indication just as you join the roundabout is
wrong, unless you are turning left.
Pedestrians
crossing the road: Rules for pedestrians to cross the road are meant to protect
the lives of pedestrians.
Rule:
Cross the road at right angles. Never cross diagonally.
Traffic
Logic: As long as you are on the road, you are at risk. Minimise the time and
risk by using the shortest distance. Which means, cross at right angles.
Rule:
Before crossing, look right, then left, then right again. Cross only if the
road is clear.
Traffic Logic: Traffic on
the road drives on the left. When you cross at right angles to the road, you
will first cross traffic coming up from your right. After crossing half the
road, traffic will now come from the left. So, first see
if
the first half of the road (right side) is clear. Don‟t cross immediately!
Check if the rest of the road (left side) is also clear. Don‟t cross yet! Check
the right again to be sure that the road is still clear (vehicles may have
turned on to the road). If there is a divider, many people cross half the road
and wait there. This is not safe. In fast traffic, the suction from a big
vehicle can pull you onto the road.
Zebra
crossings: These are special points for pedestrians to cross busy roads. They
are marked with white stripes parallel to the road.
Rule:
Pedestrians get priority over traffic on zebra (pedestrian) crossings without
traffic lights, where drivers have to check the crossing before proceeding.
Traffic
Logic: Pedestrians give way to traffic as any collision will injure them more.
However, to help pedestrians cross busy roads, safe points are marked with
zebra crossings. On these, vehicles must give way to pedestrians. The driver is
responsible for checking if any pedestrian wants to cross, and must stop if so.
You should stop even if the pedestrians have reached the crossing, but are not
yet on it.
Rule:
Pedestrians may cross a zebra crossing at a traffic signal only when the signal
is green for pedestrians (red for the vehicles).
Traffic
Logic: If traffic on very busy roads stops for pedestrians at zebra crossings
when the light is green for vehicles, it would cause a traffic jam. However,
when it turns green, drivers must still wait for pedestrians already on the
crossing to clear it, before moving.
The STOP line: Do you inch
across the STOP line, or creep slowly into main road traffic with your blinker
on, in the hope of moving faster? Don‟t. Apart from greater chances of a crash,
you are actually slowing yourself down.
Traffic
Logic: If the vehicle pokes out into the road, the space available for cross
traffic to move past is reduced. Vehicles in cross traffic have to move closer
to each other. To do this safely, they have to slow down. They will take longer
to go past your vehicle than if you waited a little further back, and you will
have to wait longer.
Rule:
Vehicles are not permitted to cross the STOP line at traffic signals.
Traffic
Logic: The STOP line is marked before you reach the zebra crossing. If vehicles
cross this, they poke into the space for pedestrians to cross. Pedestrians will
have to slow down to go between vehicles. They may not finish crossing the road
before the light changes. Vehicles have to wait for them, which can cause
traffic jams.
Priorities:
Who should give way to who is set by road rules? This applies to all vehicles,
irrespective of size. I.e., the bigger vehicle does not always have priority!
Rule: On straight roads or unregulated crossings, give way to traffic on your
right.
Traffic
Logic:
(a)
Faster traffic moves on the right of the road (furthest from pedestrians). It
is easier for slower vehicles to stop than faster vehicles.
(b) Driving, we sit on the
right side. Thus, it is easier to see vehicles on the right than the left. So,
if you are to the left, you give way. If you are to the right, you have right
of way. E.g. if you are on the left and want to turn right, and a car is coming
up behind you on the right, slow and wait for it to pass before turning. If you
can‟t “see” him on your right, he surely can‟t “see” you on his left!
Use
of Horns and Silence Zones
Rule:
A driver of a vehicle shall not
(a)
sound the horn needlessly or continuously or more than necessary to ensure
safety; (b) sound the horn in silence zones; (c) make-use of a cut-out by which
gases are released other than through the silencer; (d) fit or use any
multi-toned horn giving a harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise; (e) drive a
vehicle creating undue noise when in motion; (f) drive a vehicle with a muffler
causing alarming sound.
Traffic
Logic:
a)
Use of horns in silence zones, like hospitals, disturbs patients, some of whom
maybe in a critical state b) Excessive and shrill horns startles pedestrians
and other drivers on the roads. They may lose control and this may cause
accidents
c)
Too much sound from the horns also contributes to noise pollution Driving at
Intersections: Straight traffic gets priority over turning traffic.
Traffic
Logic: You have to slow down for a turn anyway. It is easier to stop when
slower. This is true for both straight roads and crossings.
Rule:
Main road traffic has priority over side road traffic<
Traffic Logic: Main road
traffic is faster than side road traffic. Main roads are also more crowded. If
main road traffic stops for side road traffic, there will be a jam. Side roads
rarely have enough traffic to cause a jam.
Rule:
If the driver is to leave the roundabout less than halfway around it, the
driver must enter the roundabout from the left marked lane or left line of
traffic.
Traffic
Logic: This rule applies to drivers who will leave the roundabout at the first
exit after entering the roundabout, or when the exit is less than halfway
around the roundabout.
By
keeping to the left lane and keeping the left turn indicator on during this
time, the driver is saved the trouble of first switching to the right lane and
then working his/her way back to the left.
Rule:
If the driver is to leave the roundabout more than halfway around it, the
driver must enter the roundabout from the right marked lane or right line of
traffic.
Traffic
Logic: By switching to the right lane immediately after entering the
roundabout, a driver who has to travel at least halfway around it is saved the
trouble of negotiating around other drivers who are exiting the roundabout, and
those who are entering the roundabout from other intersection points.
Rule:
On T junctions, traffic going straight gets priority.
Rule:
Certain roads have marked speed limits. You are not permitted to exceed this
speed.
Traffic Logic: Speed limits are set based on traffic conditions on
that road, to ensure road safety. E.g., highway speed limits are quite high,
while in school areas they are low. In India, the design speed of highways is
60 kph. It is not advisable to exceed this speed on turns. Speed limits on
divided urban roads are usually 50 kph for cars. On undivided roads, this may
be 30. Residential areas are 25 kph unless there is a sign stating otherwise.
Exceeding the speed limit endangers pedestrians and other road users, as well
as thespeeder. The faster the car, the more the chances of a crash, and the
more severe the injuries and property damage. Some weak bridges also have low
speed limits, as a faster vehicle puts more load on the structure. If
visibility is low, e.g. at night or in rain/fog, it is advisable to stay 10 kph
below the daytime limit.
Rule:
The speed limit for residential areas, near schools, hospitals etc. is 25 kph,
even if not marked.
Traffic
Logic: Such areas have many pedestrians, especially small children who do not
know the dangers of the road. Children do not notice vehicles while playing.
They are 2-3 times slower than adults to react to a horn, and may run the wrong
way. There are also pets in residential areas, which can jump in the path of a
car. Near hospitals, there may be invalids who cannot move fast. A vehicle
should be able to stop instantly in these cases. With maximum braking, your car
can stop within 4 meters from 25 kph. To stop within 1 m, stay below 13 kph. To
ensure you stay below the legal 25 kph, stay in 3rd gear or, better, in 2nd
gear.
Rule:
The headlight should be on low beam if there is on-coming traffic.
Traffic
Logic: Headlights on high beam blind drivers in on-coming traffic (towards
you). They would not be able to see pedestrians or obstructions on the road in
the glare. This is a safety hazard. Put the beam on low, at least until the
other vehicles are completely past. Avoid using high beam except on highways
without streetlights. Traffic police shall challan drivers using high beam
within city limits.
Courtesy:
Clicking the headlight off and on is a request to the on-coming driver to put
the headlight on low beam. Lower the beam if requested like this.
Rule: You are not allowed
to use a cell phone ("mobile") while driving.
Traffic
logic: Both your hands and your attention are distracted when you are using a cell
phone. You cannot pay sufficient attention to the traffic, and may cause a
crash. You are therefore liable to be challenged for this.
Hands-free:
These sets are more critical as that your attention is still distracted, much
more than talking to others in the car. Some researches rate it as at par or
more dangerous than drunk driving.
It
is best to switch the phone to voicemail or off while driving. If not, get a
passenger to take your call, or disconnect, find a safe place to stop (off the
road or on the side if permitted), and return the call.
Courtesy:
While calling up someone on the mobile, always ask first: "Are you
driving?" (Even before "Are you busy?") If the answer is yes,
disconnect and call back later.
Traffic
lights: red and green
Rule:
At regulated crossings, stop at a red light, go on a green light.
Traffic
logic: Heavy traffic crossings need regulation, as the rule for unregulated
crossings is not sufficient to ensure safe and smooth flow. As you know, a
green light indicates go, red means stop. Never cross the stop line if the
light is red, as you may cause a crash.
If
there is a single light, it is possible for opposing traffic to be
"go" at the same time. Traffic turning right should wait for straight
traffic from the opposite side to clear the crossing first. Usually, there are
separate lights for straight and right.
Most left turns are
"free". However, in heavy traffic, wait for straight traffic from
your right (if any) to clear the crossing before you turn left "give
way" to traffic on your right). Always check for signs that left is not
free, especially on unfamiliar turns.
Traffic
lights: amber (yellow)
Rule:
At regulated crossings, when the light is amber (yellow), go only if you can
cross the complete crossing before the light turns red. Otherwise, stop before
the stop line.
Traffic
logic: If the lights change straight from green to red, the driver may not be
able to clear the crossing before the green-light traffic reaches his car. This
may cause crashes. Hence, four seconds before the light turns red, there is an
amber indication.
If
you cannot clear the crossing before the light turns red (this can get you a
challan), stop before the stop line. Within the speed limit, this is always
possible. In case of slow and heavy traffic (jam), stop immediately as the
light turns yellow.
In
many cities, there is a countdown timer for red and green lights (timed for
straight traffic). Use this information wisely, and avoid speeding at the
crossing.
Traffic
lights: amber and red flashing lights
Rule:
At crossings, an amber (yellow) flashing light is a "caution". Slow,
check if the crossing is safe, and then move. A red flashing light is for
"stop, look and go". Come to a complete stop, check if the crossing
is safe, and then move.
Traffic logic: These
lights are put at unregulated crossings. Usually, main road traffic gets the
"caution" and side road traffic gets the "stop" light. At
"caution", slow to about 25 kph to be safe. Remember, you need time
enough to check all the other roads, especially the one on your right.
Regulated
crossings may switch to flashing late at night, when traffic is less. Here,
amber is "caution" and red is "stop, look and go". Always
check at such crossings, the other driver may not be careful enough, especially
at night.
Emergency
vehicles
Rule:
Emergency vehicles (fire engines, ambulances, and police; with red/blue
flashing light and/or siren) get complete priority over all other traffic. Give
way, even if the traffic light is against them and in your favour.
Traffic
logic: Obvious! They are rushing to save lives; you are not.
Courtesy:
Pull over to the side of the road immediately, and stay there till they have
passed. Never attempt to cut traffic lights in their wake. This is illegal,
anyway.
Non-emergency
vehicles
Rule:
It is not permitted to use a siren (or siren-like horn) on a non-emergency
vehicle. This is a punishable offence.
Traffic
logic: Remember the boy who cried “Wolf!”? If people get fooled by fake sirens,
they may not give way when it is really required.
Courtesy:
Give way to high officials with red lights on the car (no siren), as soon as
convenient. However, this is not obligatory.
One
way roads
Rule: Certain roads are
one-way only. It is not allowed to go the other way on such roads, even in
reverse gear. One-way roads are indicated by many signs, besides „One-way‟,
e.g. „No entry‟, „No right turn‟ or „No left turn‟. Traffic can only exit at
this point, not enter. „Compulsory right turn‟ signs mean the same as „no left
turn or straight‟, etc.
Traffic
logic: This is required to prevent collisions. Reversing on such roads is worse
than driving in the wrong direction, as you won‟t even be able to easily see
what you are backing into!
Rule:
To reach a cut in the road which is to the right of the point at which you
reach a road with a central divider, turn left, and do a U-turn at the next cut
to the left. This applies no matter how close the cut to the right is, or how
far the cut to the left is.
Traffic
logic: Turning right puts you on the wrong side of the road, and increases
collision risk, if no cut has been provided. It is because the main road
traffic is too heavy to cut across. Turning left allows you to join the traffic
easily, and the distance to the cut on the left gives you enough time to find a
break and move to the right side, so that you are in place for the U-turn.
Intersection
logic
Rule:
Turning left, doing a U-turn and turning left again, to avoid a red light, is
treated the same as jumping a red light, and gets the same fine.
Traffic
Logic: While doing the U-turn, you would be cutting across the same traffic
that the red light was stopping you from, with the same risks.
Rule:
You are not allowed to do a U-turn at an intersection where opposing traffic is
also „green‟. Busy T-intersections either have a U-turn signal on the straight
leg, or a „No U-turn‟ sign. If so, take the left road, do a U-turn at a cut or
circle (not an intersection), and take the right at the signal.
Traffic Logic: Due to the
turning radius, you would cut across the entire on-coming traffic, which is not
safe.
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