Advertorial: How to make your road trips safe(Source IBN live)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Road safety is an issue of key concern for both the government and the people on Indian roads. Safe driving requires a higher level of confidence and competence, given the poor traffic planning, increasing number of vehicles, and lack of civic driving sense and untrained drivers on the road.
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. promotes safe driving and ensures safety of the people by taking all measures for road safety awareness.
A few points shared below, can help us maintain safety of self and those riding with us. These tips help you become a smart and responsive driver.
More Mileage, More Fun
Drive between 45 and 55 kmph -- It has been established by trials that you can get up to 40 per cent extra mileage at 40 kmph as compared to 80 kmph.
Avoid accelerating or decelerating unnecessarily. Incorrect gear shifts can lead to as much as 20% increase in fuel consumption -- For city driving, change to a higher gear when you are sure that the engine will not have to struggle.Get into top gear as soon as possible.
Check wheels for free rotation when your car is being serviced. Binding brakes restrict free wheel movement and the engine consumes more petrol in order to overcome resistance.
Use your clutch only when you change gears. Riding the clutch causes loss of energy and damages the clutch lining.
You can save as much as 6 per cent fuel through regular tuning of car. If your engine emits black or dark grey smoke, has poor pulling power or consumes large quantities of oil, have it checked immediately at an authorised service station.
Your air filter prevents air from fouling the engine. Dust causes rapid wear of engine components and increases fuel consumption.
Make sure that the fuel tank cap has a good rubber seal. Unnecessary loads increase fuel consumption. A reduction of weight by about 50 kg can lead to a 2 per cent saving in fuel, when driving in the city.
Under inflated tyres increase rolling resistance which leads to higher petrol consumption and faster wear of tyres at the sides.
Better Maintenance, Longer Drive
Do all preventive maintenance of your vehicle and stick to the maintenance schedule -- If you notice any fault, consult your service station.
Daily pre-driving checks must be carried out by all drivers, both inside the vehicle and outside.
High-Speed Watchout
Stopping distance progressively increases with vehicle speed. Apply the brakes far before of the stopping point to allow for the extra stopping distance.
At high speeds, the vehicle may be affected by side winds. Therefore, reduce speed and be prepared for unexpected buffeting, which can occur at the exits of tunnels, when passing by a cut of a hill, or when being overtaken by large vehicles, etc.
SOME MAJOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AFFECTING SAFETY
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Red Light Jumping: You feel that by jumping red light you are saving upon your time. But it is not so. In fact you are losing it and playing with your life and is getting yourself booked under the law
Improper & Obstructive Parking: No parking should be done on road, except when specifically permitted by a direction on a board. Don’t blame when you are stuck in traffic jam next time, some among you may have parked obstructively on the road.
Violation of Mandatory Signs: There are certain mandatory signs, violation of which may put you in trouble. These are entering a one-way road from the opposite side, taking a right turn or left turn at places where it is prohibited, and blowing of horn where it is prohibited
Overtaking: On certain roads overtaking is strictly prohibited. These are the ones where the volume of traffic is very high. When overtaking on roads where it is not prohibited you should exercise great caution and put your power of judgement to its proper use.
Drunken Driving: Drunken driving is the gravest of all traffic offences. It is dangerous not only for you but also for other road users.
Know the Road Markings 2
Thursday, June 3, 2010
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.
KNOW THE MARKINGS ON ROAD
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
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.
WHAT DOES TRAFFIC SIGNALS INDICATE?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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.
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
Saturday, April 24, 2010
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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