Traffic Rules On Life Support System !!!

ACCIDENT CAPITAL OF WORLD

                                                      

Road Safety...

It is very popularly said that "Laws are made in India BUT not Implemented". This statement holds absolutely correct when we talk especially about "Traffic rules in India". And this justifies the fact that "our country is the accident capital of the world". 

Traffic rules in our country are frequently broken and ignored. We step out of our home & see many people breaking the law without giving it a second thought. The sheer amount of life-threatening experiences faced by people of our country is frightening to say the least.  

Why do people break the law?

The answer can be part of two simple thoughts: First because they see other people breaking the law and Second the fine in India is very less for breaking the traffic rules. The Government has worked better on the Second issue in the last few years but First issue still needs to be worked on.

Road accidents led to 3 deaths every 10 minutes in India in the year 2017.India has the second largest road networks in the world and it accounts for 10% of worldwide road fatalities. From this point of view, Road safety responsibility becomes essential for everyone. Traffic laws become imperatively crucial.

We know that in a country like India where the population is huge, it’s quite difficult to execute the traffic laws. It is the duty of every person to know the traffic rules in India and follow them strictly. In this blog, we discuss various traffic rules in India.

 

** Traffic Rules in India:

 

                                                                                                                                           

1. Law relating to Registration of Vehicle -

Registration is a proof of ownership, and it is also an important document for the sale of a vehicle and transfer of its ownership. Vehicle Registration is mandatory under the purview of section 39 of The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 that falls under the Concurrent List of Schedule VII of the Constitution of India. Section 39 prohibits driving of any unregistered motor vehicle and states that no owner of the vehicle should permit driving of an unregistered vehicle in public place, which is not registered under the provision of the Motor Vehicle Act. The exception to this provision is cars with the dealers. Section 192 of The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, states that whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be used in contravention of the provisions of Section 39 shall be punishable with a fine, which may extend to five thousand rupees but shall not be less than two thousand rupees for a second time or subsequent offence with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees but shall not be less than five thousand rupees or with both.

The implementation of various provisions of this Act rests with the State Governments.     

2. Law relating to Driving License -

As per the Section 3 of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 nobody can drive at any public place until he holds an effective driving license issued to him authorizing him to drive the vehicle. A motor cab or motor vehicle hired by a person for his personal use or rented under a scheme to drive a transport vehicle is an exception. Section 5 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 talks about the responsibility of the owner to not to allow one’s vehicle to be driven by others. Some different types of driving licence issued in India are:

A.    Learner's Licence

B.     Permanent Driving Licence

C.    Light Motor Vehicle Licence (LMV)

D.    Heavy Motor Vehicle Licence (HMV) 

 

3. Age related Laws –

 

Anyone who is above 18 years of age is eligible to obtain a driving license by following the prescribed procedures. But a person who is under the age of 16 years can drive a motor vehicle of engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc. No person under the age of 20 years shall be eligible to drive a transport vehicle.

4. Law relating to Pedestrian -

Indian law under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and other related act provide for preventing the vehicles from running on footpaths. There are various Acts that safeguard pedestrian rights indirectly. The Indian Penal Code (1860) sections 279, 304 (Punishment for Culpable Homicide not Amounting to Murder), and 336/337/338 protects the public, which includes pedestrians, against rash driving and negligence by motorists. The Motor Vehicles Act (1988), sections 7-38 talks about penalizing the motorists exceeding speed limits and license regulation, etc., indirectly protecting vulnerable road users. Section 138 clause (h & i) empowers the State Government to prevent motor vehicles from using the pavements for driving or parking. The Rules of the Road Regulation (1989) has three rules mentioning pedestrians or their right of way, which are:

·         The duty of the driver to slow down when approaching a pedestrian crossing (Rule 8)

·         That no driver can park a motor vehicle near a traffic light or on a pedestrian crossing or a footpath (Rule 15)

·         Motor vehicles are not allowed to drive on the footpaths or cycle lane except with permission from the police officer on duty (Rule 11)

The Municipal Corporation Acts also protect public roads and streets by terming all obstructions illegal unless made with the prior permission of the collector. They are entitled to ascertain the footpath width based on a width of the public roads. Under the Persons with Disabilities (equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act (1995), the government must provide for auditory signals, engraving on the zebra crossings, slopes in pavements for easy access to a wheelchair, and warning signs at appropriate places.

5. Some More Laws are -

A. The driver must drive on the left side of the road, so that vehicles coming from the opposite direction may drive smoothly.

B. If the driver wants to turn the vehicle to the left side, he must stay very close to the left side and make the turn. After turning to the left side, he should continue to drive on the left side itself.

C. If the driver wants to turn the vehicle to the right side, he must first drive to the center of the road and turn right keeping the vehicle close to the left side of the road.

D. The driver should always overtake the vehicle only from the right side of the vehicle.

E. In case another vehicle overtakes your vehicle, you must not increase your speed nor do anything that prevents the other vehicle from overtaking.

F. The driver must slow down his vehicle at all the inter junctions, pedestrian crossings, intersections and road crossings.

G. The driver should give way to ambulances and fire service vehicles.

H. Pedestrians hold the right of way at pedestrian crossings or zebra crossings.

I. The driver must park the vehicle in such a way that it doesn’t disturb other people. In case you are stuck in a parking lot because your vehicle is blocked by some other vehicle, you can call the police and that driver of the vehicle would pay a fine.

J. It is the responsibility of the driver to obey the traffic signs, the instructions given by traffic police.

K. The driver must have the following documents while driving the vehicle:

·         Certificate of registration of the vehicle

·         Driving license

·         Insurance certificate

·         Fitness certificate

·         Emission test certificate

L. The driver should be careful while taking a reverse and ensure that it does not disturb any other people on the road.

M. The driver should keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him. There may be chances of the vehicle ahead, stopping suddenly. So, keeping a safe distance avoids unnecessary risk.

N. It is mandatory for two-wheeler riders to wear a helmet. The helmet must have the ISI mark (which shows requisite safety standards).

O. The registration number of the vehicle should be visible.

P. On a one-way road, the driver must not drive in the opposite direction.

Q. In order to reduce noise pollution, the horn should be used only when required.

R. In the case of a goods vehicle, the number of passengers permitted must not exceed the permitted limit.

 

There is absolute need for strict traffic laws and its compliance as a number of road accidents are increasing day by day in the country. Rigorous road safety programs alone cannot ensure the road safety. There is a need to understand that we have not jumped on the road to enter a race or overtake others but to travel through it. We should not only ensure owns safety but others too by following traffic laws.

 

"Hope Is What Keep Us Alive !!!"