WHAT DOES TRAFFIC SIGNALS INDICATE?

RED means STOP
Wait behind the stop line or cross walk.

If there are no lines, stop before the traffic light at the intersection so that traffic light is clearly visible.
Wait until a green signal appears before proceeding.

AMBER means CAUTION

You may move on if the amber appears after you have already crossed the stop line or when you feel that your stopping may cause accident. Anyhow be careful.

GREEN means GO

Proceed ahead ensuring that the way is clear

You can make a right or left turn if not prohibited by signs, but take special care and give way to pedestrians crossing the road.
FLASHING RED

Generally provided at level crossings, bridges, airfield, fire stations, minor roads, etc.

It means you must come to a full stop and proceed cautiously after making a safety check on all approaching traffic.

FLASHING YELLOW

Generally provided where major roads meet minor roads.

Slow down and proceed with caution, giving due attention to other traffic and pedestrians.

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TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

Traffic control devices are all signs, signals, markings and devices placed on or adjacent to a road or highway, to regulate, warn or guide traffic to promote road safety. Every road user must be aware of these devices.

Traffic control devices comprise of:
Traffic signs
Road markings
Traffic Signals
Miscellaneous traffic control devices such as barricades, traffic cones, central refuges, speed breakers, bollards, reflective devices etc.

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EMERGENCY FIRST-AID(in case of an accident)

-Do not move an injured person unless it is absolutely necessary.
-If you must move an injured person, keep the back and neck as straight as possible by putting your arms under the back, and gently support the neck with your upper arms.
-Take hold of the clothing with your hands, and pull the victim headfirst away from danger.
-Check to see if the injured is breathing. If the person is not breathing and you are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), begin administering CPR or mouth-to-mouth breathing.

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HOW TO REACT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT

-Always carry a basic emergency kit in your vehicle, containing flares and first aid supplies.
-If involved in a crash you must stop, regardless of the extent of damage.
-It is a criminal offence to leave the scene of an accident involving a fatality or a personal injury.
-Exchange information with other drivers involved. Give your name, address, etc. to the other drivers and police on the scene.
-If a parked vehicle or property other than a vehicle is damaged or if a domestic animal is injured, try to locate the owner or notify the police.
-Do not stop at an accident scene unless you are involved or emergency help is needed. Otherwise, keep your attention on driving and the directions given by traffic police.
-Shift the injured immediately to the hospital in any vehicle available.

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Act like Human on Roads

COEXIST PEACEFULLY ON ROAD

When confronted by an aggressive driver

Avoid eye contact.
Stay calm and relaxed
Make every attempt to get out of the way safely.
Avoid confrontation
Do not take other driver’s behaviour personally, he might have some reason to drive erratically.
If you feel you are being followed too closely, signal and pull over to allow the other driver to go by.
Ignore harassing gestures and name calling, and do not return them.

Avoid becoming an aggressive driver

Allow enough travel time to reach the destination on schedule.
Alter your schedule to avoid driving during peak congestion periods.
If you late, call ahead so that you can relax.
Do not drive when you are angry, upset or overly tired.
Make your vehicle comfortable and avoid situations that raise your anxiety.
When driving, relax and remain aware of your posture. Sit back in your seat and loosen your grip on the steering wheel.
Give others the benefit of doubt; be polite, courteous and forgiving.
If you commit any driving error, apologize by simply waving your hands.
Do not follow too closely. Allow at least a three-seconds space between the vehicle ahead.
Do not make gestures that may offend others.
Remember, driving is not a contest. Hence, forget about winning.

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While on wheels(contd)

DO NOT DRIVE WHEN DRUNK
Alcohol slows down the mental process.
It increases confidence but decreases performance.
It affects brain’s ability to control and coordinate body’s movement.
It slows down the reflex and hence the reaction time increases.
It impairs the ability to judge speed and distance.
It also impairs vision and hearing.

SEATBELT SAVES

Seat belt saves life and reduce the severity of injuries.
With seat belt tied around, you become a part of the vehicle, rather than a loose object that can be tossed around inside in a crash or thrown outside.
If you are thrown out of a vehicle in a crash, your chances of being killed are 25 times greater than if you stay inside.
If your vehicle goes out of control, with the seat belt on you may be able to regain control. Without it, you may not even be able to stay in the driver’s seat.

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While on wheels(contd)

DRIVING AT NIGHT

Be alert: pedestrians, bicycles, animals and hand drawn vehicles that travel without light are difficult to be seen.
Drive at a slow speed to react safely and stop in time.
Turn on the headlights when it is dark.
Drive with dipped headlights in places where the roads are amply lit.
Keep the headlights clear and clean and check them frequently. Keep your windscreen clean because dirty windscreen can impair your vision.
Avoid looking to the dazzling light if an oncoming vehicle is driving in high beam and gradually slow down your speed.
To reduce the glare of lights following you, switch your interior rear view mirror to the night position or slightly tilt it or tilt the exterior rear view mirrors.
Before overtaking ensure that the oncoming vehicle is at a safe distance.

DRIVING IN RAIN

Check the working of wipers, windscreen washing fluid system, all vehicle lights, tyres, exhaust pipe.
Be careful and reduce your speed as people may run across the roads in panic.
Be considerate to other road users, avoid splashing of water.
On slippery roads drive carefully and slowly. In case the vehicle slips, stop acceleration and press the clutch, hold the steering in a straight position and do not brake. Wait till you regain the grip.

DRIVING IN FOGGY CONDITIONS

Drive slow as distances are hard to judge and low visibility decreases your reaction time.
Do not hit your brakes in panic, you may get hit from the back.
Turn on your wipers and defroster and turn off the music.
Drive with dipped headlights, high beams produce too much glare in fog.
Use the central verge of the road to guide you.
Honk periodically to let other drivers know you are there.
Never attempt overtaking.

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While on Wheels(Cont)

WHILE OVERTAKING
Never overtake from left, always overtake from right.
Make clear your intentions of overtaking to your fellow drivers.
Give proper indications.
Be watchful of a pedestrian or an animal that may suddenly appear in front of the vehicle you are overtaking.
On roads having two-way traffic overtake only when the oncoming vehicle is at a safe distance.

WHILE TURNING

Give proper indications.
Start changing lane only when the vehicles behind you have understood your intentions.
Slow down while approaching the turning point.
Turn only when the vehicle coming from the opposite direction is at a safe distance.
The vehicle coming from the opposite direction has the right of way.
Watch out for pedestrians as well as vehicles coming from your right side.

RIGHT OF WAY

The children and the disabled have the right of way.
Pedestrians have the first right of way at unmanned intersections.
At an unmanned intersections traffic on the right has the right of way.
At a round about, traffic on your right has the right of way.
Traffic on major road has the right of way.
On hilly and steep roads vehicles going uphill have the right of way.
Emergency vehicles like fire brigade, ambulance, police have the right of way.
These vehicles, while on emergency duty, can jump a red right, drive in non entry areas or on wrong side.
These vehicles should be given priority and clear passage.

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