Road Safety

Safe Walking

 Use zebra crossing.

 Don't cross the road at bends / blind corners. It is dangerous.
 Wear light colored clothes at night.
 Use pavements / footpaths and be safe.
 Don't walk in-groups on the road.
 Never chase a ball, playmate or kite on the road.

Safe Bus Travel

 Make it a habit to form a queue.

 Board and alight a bus only after it halts at bus stops.
 Grip the handle bar or strap firmly, while standing in the bus.
 Be ready in advance to alight at your destination.
 While in the bus, shouting or making noise can distract the driver and cause an accident.
 Leaning out of the bus or letting your arms or head stick out of the window can maim you for life.

Safe Cycling

 While cycling be attentive to your riding and your surroundings.

 Keep your cycle in good working condition.
 Show appropriate hand signal before taking any turn/before changing lanes.
 Ride on the left-hand side of the road, preferably on cycle tracks and not on pavements.
 Paint the rear mudguard white and get a reflect or fitted on it.
Safety in the Rainy Season

 You must be careful when it rains. When roads get wet, they become slippery and vehicles take
longer to stop.
 Be particularly careful on slippery surfaces. Apply brakes with care to avoid skidding.
 Do not use an umbrella while cycling.

Drive only if you are competent enough

A person must drive a vehicles only if he is competent enough to drive it.

 Drive only if you are a competent driver with a valid licence.

 If you are not competent enough, then learn driving in an authorised driving training school.
 Learn driving on roads only during morning hours when traffic is low and never during busy hours.

Be Familiar With Road Markings

For smooth movement and disciplined traffic, some roads are provided with different markings of which
you should be aware. These markings are done in white and yellow colours. So, be aware of these
markings:

Road Dividing Lines:

 These markings are done to divide a road, not divided by elevated dividers, into two parts.
 These are marked sometimes by single yellow lines and sometimes by double yellow lines in the
center of the road.
 As per rule, you should always drive in the left side of the road.

Lane Markings:

 These markings are done by white dotted lines and divide the road or part of the road in different
lanes.
 Stick to your lane and change it only as per rules.

Stop Lines:
 These lines are marked in white before traffic lights and zebra crossings.
 Always stop before the stop line if the light is yellow or red.
Turning Lines:

 These lines in arrow form and painted in white indicate left or right turn or straight drive.

Lane Driving for Safety

The best way to be safe on the roads:

 Stick to your lane.
 Wherever available, bicycle riders and pedestrians should use bicycle tracks and foot paths.
 On multi-lane roads there are separate lanes for different vehicles and the drivers should stick to
these lanes.
 Change your lanes only if you have to overtake some other vehicles or take right turn.

While overtaking, a driver must take the following steps :

1. Check behind on your right and if there is no vehicle approaching you, move to the right side of
your lane.
2. Keep a following distance sufficient enough to permit acceleration, signal right and move ahead
of the vehicle you have to overtake.
3. After securing sufficient distance from the overtaken vehicle, signal left and change direction
gently.
4. Never overtake a vehicle from left.
5. Never overtake a vehicle which is already overtaking some other vehicle.
6. Follow rules 1 and 2 for right turn.

Learn to Negotiate a Roundabout

Most of the towns and city roads of our country have by and large, crossings. However, there are several
roundabouts in our country where there are no traffic lights. Drivers are expected to negotiate them
according to their prudence. Apart from beautification, these roundabouts facilitate smooth flow of traffic.
So while negotiating a roundabout, follow these rules.

1. While approaching a roundabout, fix your direction and slow down.

2. Take left lane for a left turn. Use central and right lane only for going straight and taking a right
turn.
3. Give appropriate signal by hand or through indicator, before taking a turn.
4. Do not use horns unnecessarily.
5. Always give way to the vehicles on your right.

Know Road Signs and Honour Them

For a smooth movement of traffic, certain road signs have been given which must be followed for safe
driving.

There are three types of road signs:

 Mandatory road signs that are circular with one or two bars.
 Cautionary road signs that are triangular.
 Informatory road signs that are square shaped or rectangular.
 For a safe driving, Cautionary road signs are as important as Mandatory signs.

Some important Mandatory Signs are :

One Way; Compulsory Ahead; Right Turn or Left Turn; Slow Moving Vehicles Prohibited; Height Limit;
Horn Prohibited; No Parking; U-turn Prohibited etc.

Some important Cautionary Signs are :

T-intersection; Roundabout; Speed Braker; Pedestrian Crossing; Major Road Ahead; Unguarded Railway
Crossing; Narrow Road or Bridge etc.
Some important Informatory Signs are :

Petrol Pump; Resting Place; Parking; Public Telephone Booth; Hospital etc.
 You can distinguish these signs through their designs.

Traffic Lights:

 There are three colours in traffic lights.

 Red light means mandatory stop.
 Yellow light warns you and tells you to prepare for halt, never try to cross the intersection when
the light is yellow.
 Green means proceed ahead slowly after ensuring that no vehicle is criss-crossing.

Traffic Signals:

All drivers must understand the signals of traffic constables and fellow drivers and honour them
Drivers must understand the stop, move, left turn, right turn, go straight or slow down signals of the traffic
constable and fellow drivers on the road and act accordingly.

Driving Up A Hill

Driving in hilly areas is a testing time even for seasoned drivers since the topography of hills is extremely
different from those of the plains. Hence, while driving in a hilly terrain, you must keep following points in
mind :
 Never overload your vehicle as it can be taxing for your vehicle and can put extra load on steerings.
 The roads in hilly areas are generally narrow and at many places traffic flows from booth directions.
 Always allow a heavier vehicle or up going vehicle to pass by - down coming vehicles should provide
enough room for ascending vehicles.
 In case of rain, snowfall, landslide or gravel falling situation, stop your vehicle near some wide patch
of the road where hills are strong.
 Do not drive in hilly areas during night hours unless you are in an emergency.
 Approaching a turn, slow down your vehicle to the level of halt, use horn and then move slowly.

Night Driving:

Driving during nights are extremely different from day driving and most of the accidents take place during
nights. This is because:
 Most of the city roads, except highways have lesser movement of traffic. Drivers indulge in
overspeeding and red light jumping etc. causing accidents.
 The visibility during nights become less and may lead to accidents.

Hence, while driving during nights you must follow the following rules:

1. Do not indulge in overspeeding.

2. Honour all traffic signals and signs.
3. Keep your headlights on but use dipper to see and be seen.
4. Two wheeler drivers, cyclists and pedestrians must use light colored clothes during night to be
seen clearly.
5. Do not look at the headlight of an oncoming vehicle.
6. While parking your vehicle during night, make sure that parking lights are on.
Follow Them Too

Besides above conditions, there are several circumstances when a driver is required to react to the
situations on the road. So follow them also.

1. Always allow fire brigade, ambulance and police vehicle to pass.

2. Never lit a cigarette while driving or going for refueling at petrol pumps.
3. Never alight from your car on the road side.
4. Allow non-motorized vehicles to pass by as they can not accelerate their speed or maneuver
swiftly.
5. Always help pedestrians, handicapped and children in their movement on the road.
6. Never blow your horn unnecessarily. Use it as an emergency device.
7. Do not carry inflammable materials in your vehicles as they can cause loss of life and property in
case of accidents.

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