Know the Road Markings 2

Single Yellow Line: You cannot cross this line except while turning Right or taking a U-Turn.


Box Junction: A rectangular box with yellow crossed diagonal lines. Vehicles are not supposed to stop at this even for a brief period. Vehicles should cross it only if they have a clear space available ahead of the yellow box.


Stop Line: A single solid transverse line at the intersection. If the light signal is red or the traffic officer signals to ’Stop’ one is to stop the vehicle before this line.


Zebra Crossing: Alternate black and white stripes painted parallel to the road for pedestrians to cross the road when signals indicate so. Vehicles must stop and give way to pedestrians at these crossings. Pedestrian crossings are marked to facilitate and give the right of way to pedestrians.

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KNOW THE MARKINGS ON ROAD

All lines, patterns, words and colours applied on or attached to the road surface or kerbs are road markings. These are meant to direct, guide and regulate the road users. They are, in fact, the languages of road.

Centre Line: This white broken line divides the road into two, separating opposing stream of traffic. This line can be crossed if overtaking is essential provided the oncoming carriageway is clear

Double White/Yellow Lines:These divide the road into two and overtaking/crossing these lines from both side and U-turn is strictly prohibited.
White less than and greater than signs: This indicates to slow down and proceed carefully. This road marking is generally found on roads near a school, college or hospital.

Small Broken White Lines:These demarcate the lanes on a road. Vehicles are supposed to move in between these lines. The left most lane is for buses, heavy vehicles and slow moving vehicles. The middle lane is for LMVs, scooters & motor cycles & the right most lane is for overtaking & turning right.

Parking prohibited Lines:Continuous single yellow/white line at the edge of the carriageway indicates that no vehicle can be parked but vehicle can be stopped along such a road. Continuous double yellow/white lines indicate that both parking and stopping are prohibited.

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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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While on wheels(Contd)

NEGOTIATING A ROUND ABOUT

Choose your lane as per your exit, at least 100m in advance.
Slow down while approaching a round about.
Enter the round about at an angle.
Give way to traffic on your right.
Merge slowly with the traffic inside the round about.
Move towards your exit gradually giving proper indications.
Be watchful of a pedestrian or an animal that may suddenly appear

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WHILE ON FOUR WHEELS (Cont..)

NEGOTIATING AN INTERSECTION JUDICIOUSLY
Almost 50% of collisions occur at intersections.
Choose the left lane if you want to turn left, the middle lane if you want to go straight, the right lane if turning right, at least 100 m in advance.
Give proper indication before you turn.
Slow down while approaching an intersection.
Stop before stop line at red light.
Even if the signal allows you to go, proceed slowly and cautiously.
While approaching an unmanned intersection cover the brake and be prepared to stop.

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WHILE ON FOUR WHEELS

Always
Ensure that co-passenger on the front seat and the driver has worn seat belt.
Drive within the prescribed speed limit (Car-50, Bus/Truck-40).
Drive in your lane.
Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

Never

Talk on mobile phone while driving.
Allow children below 12 years of age to sit on the front seat.
Allow minors to drive.

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SAFETY MEASURES WHILE TRAVELLING IN BUS

Always
Get up early and start from home in time.
Board the bus from the designated bus stop in a queue.
Behave properly inside the bus.
Hold on to the railings of the bus.
Alight only at the designated bus stop.
Get down only when the bus has completely stopped.
If the driver is not following the Road Safety Norms,
inform Traffic Helpline at 23010101.

Never

Rush or run to catch the bus.
Stand on the steps of the bus.
Make noise that may distract the driver.
Put any part of the body outside the bus.
Alight from a moving bus.
Cross in front of the bus you have alighted.

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CYCLE SAFELY

10% of the persons being killed in road accidents are cyclists.

Always

Cycle must be fitted with standard gadgets – bell, brakes, rear view mirror, both front & black mudguard painted white, reflective tapes affixed at the front & back.
Use service road/cycle track, if available. Cycle should be on extreme left side of the road.
Avoid busy roads.
Keep a safe distance from fast motorized vehicles.
Give proper indications before stopping or turning.
Never

Do not indulge in any kind of stunts.
Do not load the cycle with another person or heavy goods.
Do not ride holding on to fast moving vehicles.
Do not ride parallel to another cycle.

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ROAD SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS

Walk on footpath - 50% of those killed in road accidents are pedestrians.

ALWAYS REMAIN ALERT WHILE ON ROAD

 Walk on any side of road if there are footpaths.
 On roads having no footpath, walk on extreme right side facing the oncoming traffic.
 Always use Zebra Crossing, Foot Over-bridge & Subways to cross the road.
 Cross the road when the vehicles are at a safe distance.
 Wear light coloured dresses during night.

A LITTLE CARELESSNESS CAN BE DANGEROUS

 Do not cross the road in hurry or by running.
 Never Cross the road in front of or in between parked vehicles.
 It is very dangerous to cross the road at blind corners, turnings, etc. where you are not visible to vehicle drivers.
 Do not jump over the railings to cross road.

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RULES OF ROAD(Part2)

U Turn

After ensuring that there is no prohibition to take a U-turn, also make sure:

 That the road is wide enough for this manoeuvre
 That there is no traffic approaching from either side and you have full visibility of the road on both sides.

Speed

Driving at a high speed does not give you sufficient reaction time to observe hazards. Other road users too, get less time to react. The higher the speed, the greater the stopping distance and larger the chances of an accident.

The golden rule for speed:
Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see clearly


Following Distance

Always maintain sufficient distance between the vehicle you are driving and the vehicle in front of you in order to avoid collision in case the vehicle ahead slows down or stops suddenly. Avoid applying the brakes abruptly unless it is necessary to do so for safety reasons.

The law also provides that the driver if a motor vehicle moving behind another vehicle shall keep at a sufficient from the other vehicle to avoid collision if the vehicle in front should suddenly slow down or stop.

Overtaking

One of the major causes of road accidents is callous overtaking. So, you have an important responsibility while overtaking. Be careful while you observe oncoming vehicles in the overtaking exercise. You must only overtake when you are sure that after completing the manoeuvre you can return to your side of the road without obstructing the oncoming traffic or getting in the way of vehicles you are overtaking.

Take extreme care when overtaking on roads with undivided carriageway. Impatient drivers may not want to reduce their speed and may remain in the middle of the road resulting in head-on collisions.

When overtaking, keep in mind:
 Overtake from the right of the vehicles you are passing
 Do not overtake if the driver of the vehicle in front of you indicates that he is turning right.
 Never cut onto heavy vehicles. They need more room to slow down and stop.

Do not attempt to overtake if:
 Your passing is likely to cause inconvenience or danger to other traffic proceeding in any direction.
 You are near a pedestrian crossing , intersection or railway crossing
 You are on a road where overtaking is not allowed.
 The vehicle you are wanting to overtake has started accelerating
 The vehicle to be overtaken is displaying ‘L’ plate.
 Emergency vehicle
 VIP entourage
 you cannot see clearly ahead due to dazzle of oncoming traffic
 a large vehicle is blocking your vision, as there may be slow moving vehicles in front

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RULES OF ROAD(Part 1)

Keep left
How far from the left side of the road you should drive depends upon the road condition and the type of traffic on it. But, as a driver you must drive sufficiently to the left

Lane driving
Every road has lanes, whether marked or not. Where they are not marked, divide the road mentally into appropriate lanes. Where it is marked, drive within your lane. Change only if it is safe to do so and after giving a proper signal. A good driver never weaves in and out of a lane. In a traffic hold-up, don’t try to get ahead by jumping the queue or by cutting into another lane.

Changing Lanes
If you need to move into another lane, check through your rear view mirror and look over your shoulder for the traffic following you, if it is safe, give the proper signal and then change lanes. After you have changed your lane or overtaken, make sure that the indicator given to change lane is switched off.

Turning left and right
Whether you are going to make a left or right turn, you should be in the correct lane well before reaching the intersection. You should be in the lane closest to the direction in which you are going to turn. Never turn from the wrong lane across another lane of traffic. This unexpected move can be dangerous.


Reverse driving
Reverse driving could be dangerous. Make sure you have rear side view mirrors on you left and right doors in addition to the one fitted inside.


Before you reverse make sure there are no pedestrians, specially children or any other impediments on the road behind you. Be particularly careful of the blind areas that are obscured form the driver’s seat. Never reverse from a side road on to a main road.

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