Traffic Rules In India That Everyone Should Know

1. Informative signs - Any drivers who don't have a map or are unaware of the amenities nearby can benefit from informative signs. They can assist drivers by giving them directions or providing information about local hospitals, pay phones, and parking spaces. 
2. Cautionary traffic signs - Cautionary traffic signs are intended to alert vehicles to any potential hazards on the road ahead, such as construction zones, potholes, and speed bumps. While not inherently so, if one doesn't slow down their car, accidents might happen. As a result, you must treat warning traffic signs just as seriously as those that are required. 

Traffic Rules in India

The various traffic rules in India are mentioned below :

1. Before making a turn, you must remain on the left side if you want to turn left. 

1. If you're on a two-way street or road, keep to the left so that traffic moving the other way can pass easily utilising the right lane. 
2. You must reduce your speed as you approach a road intersection, a road junction, or a pedestrian crossing. 
3. You must be in the middle of the road and make a broad, progressive right turn if you want to turn right ahead. 
4. When being overtaken by a vehicle, you are not allowed to raise your speed or interfere in any other way with the overtaking vehicle. 
5. Parking is prohibited on footpaths, roads, and hilltops that are used by people. The same is not allowed in close proximity to traffic lights, a road crossing, a building's entry or if it covers a fire hydrant. 

1. You and your passenger must both wear helmets if you are operating a two-wheeler. 
2. Per two-wheeler, a single pillion passenger is allowed. 
3. The front and back of your car must always bear your car Registration Number (VRN), whether it be temporary or permanent. 
4. There should never be anything in the way of your car's headlights or taillights. 
5. Any cyclists on the road require drivers to give them room. 

1. On a one-way road, it is against the law to drive the other way. 
2. Roadside STOP signs must be heeded, and no stopping is permitted past them. 
3. One must not cross the yellow line when passing another car. 
4. Only use honking when absolutely required. 
5. Certain items, such as explosive and flammable ones, cannot be loaded into the car. 

1. Your car must be on the right side of the road when travelling up a mountain or hill. 
2. Only the right side may be used for overtaking. 

Fines for Not Following Traffic Rules

The various fines list for when traffic rules are not followed are mentioned below :

Generic Traffic Laws in India

1. Getting blocked at a parking lot: If the exit of your vehicle is blocked by another vehicle parked in front of yours at a parking lot, you can call the cops on the owner/driver of the vehicle who would have to pay a fine for blocking your way.
2. Non-functional Horn: A driver can be slapped with a fine for driving a vehicle with a non-functional horn. Horns are used to warn other commuters on the road and is expected to be functional. The non-compliance of this law attracts a fine. 

City-Based Traffic Laws in India

1. First Aid: In Kolkata and Chennai, if a driver fails to provide first aid to his/her injured passenger after the vehicle meets with an accident, he/she might have to pay a fine or serve a period of three months in jail. 
2. Smoking inside a Car: In Delhi-NCR, smoking inside a car is a violation of law. If somebody is found guilty of smoking inside a car, he/she might have to pay a fine. 
3. Parking in front of Public Utility Buildings or Service Spots: In Kolkata, parking a vehicle in front of a public utility building or service spots like bus stops is a violation of the law and might attract a fine. 
4. Borrowing a Car: In Chennai, if you are borrowing somebody's car, it should be duly informed to the person. Failing to abide by the rule, you might be slapped with a hefty fine or three-month jail term.
5. Installing a Video Device: It is a punishable offence to install a TV or any other video device on the car's dashboard, in Mumbai. Violation of this rule can attract a fine. 
6. Idling the Car: Leaving your car's ignition on while it is idling is a violation of law in Mumbai and can be fined.

Myths About Traffic Rules in India

Traffic rules are not always followed very closely, especially in India. That is also one of the major reasons that India is ranked high for road accidents and mortality. There are also certain myths regarding the Indian Traffic rules, which are believed to be true by a whole lot of citizens. Let us bust those myths in the following discussion.

Myth - 1: There is no need to follow the traffic lights past 10 PM:

In India, it is a common myth in India that signals need not be followed after 10 PM. However, it is essential to note that many accidents occur at night due to ignoring traffic signals. While some signals may be turned off or show blinking lights due to low traffic, it is important to understand and follow their meaning for safety. Firstly, if the lights are fully functional, it should be obeyed. Secondly, if the signals are partially working, i.e. if the red or yellow lights are blinking, you need to understand the implication. A blinking red light means - Stop, Look, and Proceed. The blinking yellow light, on the other hand, asks you to - Slow down, Look, and Proceed. 

Myth - 2: It is not an offense to reverse a vehicle on a one-way road:

This is one of the biggest misconceptions that Indian commuters have. It is not at all lawful to reverse a vehicles on a one-way road. What matters most on a one-way road is the direction of the traffic flow and not the direction the vehicle is facing.

Myth - 3: Parking anywhere is fine if it does not have a 'No Parking' board:

This is a very common practice in India. People often tend to park their vehicles anywhere as long as a 'No Parking' board is not put up. But there are certain exceptions. One cannot park their vehicle in front of a hospital or school entrance, bus stops, main roads, near traffic signals, or zebra crossings. Not complying to these rules might result in your vehicle being towed and fined for the offense.

Myth - 4: Overtaking is permitted only on the right:

The Indian Traffic rules necessitate a driver to drive on the left lane and thus overtaking is allowed only on the right. However, it is not always applicable. If a car in the front is taking a right turn and has turned the right blinker on, the car at the back is permitted to overtake from the left, provided there is ample room to do so.

Myth - 5: It is OK to drive or ride with your headlights at high beam all the time:

The high beams offer you a better visibility in unlit or dark areas as the range of light is longer than low beams. Using high beams while driving on highways or unlit rural roads is a necessity. But using the high beam in a crowded and well-lit area is very dangerous as the oncoming traffic can be blinded because of the lights, leading to a mishap. It is also important to switch to low beam whenever there is an oncoming vehicle or when you are driving behind another vehicle.

Myth - 6: It is OK to drive even after drinking if the driver had food after drinking:

This is a huge misconception. Eating food along with your alcoholic drink or after your drink does reduce the alcohol absorption. But the absorption is somewhere around 10 percent to 20 percent. The blood alcohol concentration or blood alcohol content (also known as BAC) should not be more than 0.03 percent. That is 30 mg for every 100 ml of blood. This is the legal limit. But if an average sized adult has had two or more drinks, he/she is highly likely to be well past the prescribed BAC limit.

Myth-7: Using handsfree device to attend phone calls is safe and not a violation of law:

Using a mobile phone while driving is a traffic violation in India. It distracts the driver and increases the risk of accidents, more than even listening to music. However, many people believe that using a headset is safe, but it can block external sounds like horns, making driving dangerous. Traffic rules exist for our safety. Knowing and following traffic rules just helps you become a better and safer commuter. 

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