No traffic rules for Defence & Police forces in India?

nickatnite · 11th November 2008, 01:11

I have seen many police jeeps and cars being driven with their high beam on at night on city streets in India. What's the point in asking a taxi driver to dim his headlights?. Laws are first broken by the law. The citizenry then follows their example. Welcome to India.

DocG · 11th November 2008, 02:31

As far as the tolls go, Military personal are exempt from all tolls in the country, and that should include the Noida toll bridge. In fact even retired personel are exempt!
I have an uncle who is a General in the army and a CO in Punjab. Yes he is exempt from pretty much all rules as he always travels in a convoy, but whenever I get into his car, he always reminds me to wear the seatbelt. When I travel in his vehicles the driver is instructed not to run lights etc... So they're not all bad. My uncle even has a special defense issued card which basically renders him immune to civil laws...SO it's approved for high ranking officers [Not their drivers/staff]

Yes undue privilages are taken many a time, like if I'm late for a flight, I do use my contacts to get an Army or Police escort to the airport. But I reserve that only for when it's really needed. [You can stop right in front of the airport for as long as you like]

As far as the police are concerned, they are only exempt from traffic rules if they are active i.e. If the light and siren is on [Responding to a call].
The same goes for ambulances.
However the police and even ambulance drivers take advantage of this rule and think that they can do anything...

About the ministers and contacts thing, I'm the last person who should be complaining about that, so less said the better...

cheers:

Sudipto-S-Team · 11th November 2008, 07:32

Notwithstanding a few honourable exceptions, we love to flaunt our official right to flout public rules. It is seen as a perk that comes with the job. Our ministers beat up airlines personnel for planes taking off on time without waiting for them. Our army and police officials are no different.
No one has the right to disrupt public order, whether he gives his life on the border defending us or not. He is not doing it for free, for God's sake.
Just like he has to pay taxes he should obey traffic rules as well. At least his wife out shopping in Khan Market should.
Talking about the lofty things that army officials do - they are also the most corrupt lot in the country.
Ask any defence supplier how it works in the Indian Army and your so called respect for the defenders of our nation would vanish in no time.

aerohit · 11th November 2008, 10:19

I once broke open the red light on top of an Ambassador, during busy hours in BLR.

I call the light my "Trophy"

The Amby was trying to be all cool - FOR NO REASON. They are definately not above me.

Always remember - this is MY (your) country and we elect them, and we overthrow them. Unity is Power. 1 billion people cannot be slaves of bunch of old and fat tummy men.

vasudeva · 11th November 2008, 14:14

Not alone defence or police forces, there are no enforcement of traffic rules (and no following either) by government officials, politicians. Basically `all public servants'.

Hurrycane12 · 11th November 2008, 14:30

OT; 3 years ago in Church Street while turning on a narrow exit, A IAS officer passed some remark which irritated me and I took him to task as he was driving his Indigo with the red light ON and his wife sitting beside him. I told to him to shut up and put off the red light as he was not on official duty I also reminded him that he was a Govt servant who lives on the IT which people like me pay hence he needs to respect us too and aviod such threatning language.

I have come across a lot of people with Service background; they are more disciplined and straight; these Army guys who have created a rukus on the roads may have a different reason for putting up such a behaviour. Lets not label all the army guys because of a few rotten apples.

moralfibre · 11th November 2008, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocG

Yes undue privilages are taken many a time, like if I'm late for a flight, I do use my contacts to get an Army or Police escort to the airport. But I reserve that only for when it's really needed. [You can stop right in front of the airport for as long as you like]

harry10 · 11th November 2008, 16:41

What i would like to know is what Indian laws state about this, Are the people be it defence forces or Indian police exempted from all these? And what if anyone gets caught breaking any of the laws is there any special law to punish them?

turbo1787 · 11th November 2008, 17:20

I come from a defence background and my father is in a senior position in the Army.
he always makes sure that the vehicles are only used for official purposes. He has an official Safari ( 3.0 ltr), two Ambys and a gypsy, though all are equipped with Sirens they are only used when genuinely required and not to harass others. Also when in a convoy the pilot gypsy is strictly instructed not to block others.
I have written the above not for any clarification but to counter the claim that defence vehicles do not follow traffic rules.
As far as the toll tax is concerned defence vehicles with arrow numbers are authorised by govt of india not to pay toll tax so it is not the question of whims and fancies of the defence driver/official!
Toll tax has to be paid on roads on BOT( build operate transfer) such as DND.

Iam not saying that defence vehicles are the best followers of traffic rules but that does not mean people should make generalisations .

turbo1787 · 11th November 2008, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

hey moralfibre, nice compilation.
i can only comment on the first picture, the black amby with the star plate( having one star) is the staff car of a Brigadier( single star on the plate) and flag rod is used for putting a flag. The star plate cover is opened and the flag is put-on only when the officer is sitting inside the car.
I completely agree that it is obstructing the zebra crossing but how is the flag rod supposed to harm pedestrians

; i daresay funny pics and funnier comments.

DocG · 14th November 2008, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

A few pictures worth watching from a known persons picture album:
Comments anyone? DocG, you?

Yes I would love to comment. I was just denoting some of the privilages allotted to the defense personel, such as not having to pay the toll taxes and such...

Comments I made about waiting at the airport/using influence to get a police/army convoy...well let me explain:

I agree that the people depicted in the pictures posted are morons, however that doesn't mean that all Defense personel behave this way. In fact when I am in a defense/police vehicle at the airport, I make it a point not to hinder the traffic, and always stop in a place off to the side. I have never misused these privilages by parking in spots where it will unease traffic.

It always depends on the consideration shown by the officer/guest, please don't judge them based on the actions of their drivers/batmen.
As far as I am concerned, I drive based on the rules I've learnt in other nations having been born and brought up outside, I always stop and wait for a woman or aged person to cross the road, no matter how many cars are honking behind me, give right of way and always overtake from the right no matter how tempting the left might be...

cheers:

hsejars · 14th November 2008, 22:03

I think we can extend this topic to two wheelers, autos, trucks (esp those that carry water and sand), tractors ... so effectively every one! I use the New Tippassandra main road (Bangalore) every day which is supposed to be a one way and there is a steady stream of traffic (2,3,4 & 6 Wheelers) going the wrong way. I also find quite a few 2 wheelers riding without helmets (an offence in Karnataka) in that area. I have seen autos, 2W, tractors go the wrong way in many areas. There just doesn't seem to be any enforcement as the cops are busy directing traffic and cannot bother with this. Even at traffic junctions, they do not catch these people because the moment they move out of the junction, there is chaos - hence the easiest times to break the laws is during peak hours (before 11AM and after 6PM). Until us Indians pick up some basic sense of courtesy (both on and off road) this is just going to continue.

Dreadnought · 22nd January 2012, 15:05

Armed forces are here to defend democracy,so that the rest of us have the right to speak and express our opinion freely. Anytime a transgression is noticed, the retribution is sure and swift. And unfortunately these guys(guilty or not) can never bring out their side of the story in public. As it is famously said they are here to protect democracy,not to practice it.

wildsdi5530 · 22nd January 2012, 19:03

Ther armed forces sacrifice their lives for us. Police forces alos put their life on line. They should be allowed to die on our roads.
Another group I can think of is BMTC buses.

SX4LOVER · 22nd January 2012, 20:44

When an individual wears a "uniform", he reflects the fact that he has been given that uniform for a particular duty and responsibility that few else have been. so it becomes more binding on him to set an example to other countrymen as to what the conduct of an ideal citizen should be.

Having said that...rule breakers exist amongst all strata of the society, more in the civil world because there is nor formal training for discipline and rules apart from the school, unlike that for a defence or police employee who go to specialised academies for the sole purpose.

There are always a group of people who have no regards for rules and regulations, and when such a nature combines with a legacy that "can be" carried on, such as in armed forces, where one has the freedom to learn from the senior's behaviour and conduct, you get two kind of individuals - disciplined ones and the "other" kind.

I rest my case.

11th November 2008, 01:11	#46
nickatnite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NYC/MAA Posts: 1,430 Thanked: 603 Times	I have seen many police jeeps and cars being driven with their high beam on at night on city streets in India. What's the point in asking a taxi driver to dim his headlights?. Laws are first broken by the law. The citizenry then follows their example. Welcome to India.
	() Thanks

11th November 2008, 02:31	#47
DocG BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai - Singapore - Cali - Sydney - S.Korea Posts: 870 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	As far as the tolls go, Military personal are exempt from all tolls in the country, and that should include the Noida toll bridge. In fact even retired personel are exempt! I have an uncle who is a General in the army and a CO in Punjab. Yes he is exempt from pretty much all rules as he always travels in a convoy, but whenever I get into his car, he always reminds me to wear the seatbelt. When I travel in his vehicles the driver is instructed not to run lights etc... So they're not all bad. My uncle even has a special defense issued card which basically renders him immune to civil laws...SO it's approved for high ranking officers [Not their drivers/staff] Yes undue privilages are taken many a time, like if I'm late for a flight, I do use my contacts to get an Army or Police escort to the airport. But I reserve that only for when it's really needed. [You can stop right in front of the airport for as long as you like] As far as the police are concerned, they are only exempt from traffic rules if they are active i.e. If the light and siren is on [Responding to a call]. The same goes for ambulances. However the police and even ambulance drivers take advantage of this rule and think that they can do anything... About the ministers and contacts thing, I'm the last person who should be complaining about that, so less said the better... cheers:
	() Thanks

11th November 2008, 07:32	#48
Sudipto-S-Team Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,320 Thanked: 290 Times View My Garage	Notwithstanding a few honourable exceptions, we love to flaunt our official right to flout public rules. It is seen as a perk that comes with the job. Our ministers beat up airlines personnel for planes taking off on time without waiting for them. Our army and police officials are no different. No one has the right to disrupt public order, whether he gives his life on the border defending us or not. He is not doing it for free, for God's sake. Just like he has to pay taxes he should obey traffic rules as well. At least his wife out shopping in Khan Market should. Talking about the lofty things that army officials do - they are also the most corrupt lot in the country. Ask any defence supplier how it works in the Indian Army and your so called respect for the defenders of our nation would vanish in no time.
	() Thanks

11th November 2008, 10:19	#49
aerohit BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: India Posts: 978 Thanked: 981 Times	I once broke open the red light on top of an Ambassador, during busy hours in BLR. I call the light my "Trophy" The Amby was trying to be all cool - FOR NO REASON. They are definately not above me. Always remember - this is MY (your) country and we elect them, and we overthrow them. Unity is Power. 1 billion people cannot be slaves of bunch of old and fat tummy men.
	() Thanks

11th November 2008, 14:14	#50
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	Not alone defence or police forces, there are no enforcement of traffic rules (and no following either) by government officials, politicians. Basically `all public servants'.
	() Thanks

11th November 2008, 14:30	#51
Hurrycane12 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Puttur Posts: 459 Thanked: 56 Times View My Garage	OT; 3 years ago in Church Street while turning on a narrow exit, A IAS officer passed some remark which irritated me and I took him to task as he was driving his Indigo with the red light ON and his wife sitting beside him. I told to him to shut up and put off the red light as he was not on official duty I also reminded him that he was a Govt servant who lives on the IT which people like me pay hence he needs to respect us too and aviod such threatning language. I have come across a lot of people with Service background; they are more disciplined and straight; these Army guys who have created a rukus on the roads may have a different reason for putting up such a behaviour. Lets not label all the army guys because of a few rotten apples.
	() Thanks

11th November 2008, 16:41	#53
harry10 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 2,713 Thanked: 3,625 Times View My Garage	What i would like to know is what Indian laws state about this, Are the people be it defence forces or Indian police exempted from all these? And what if anyone gets caught breaking any of the laws is there any special law to punish them?
	() Thanks

11th November 2008, 17:20	#54
turbo1787 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NOIDA Posts: 103 Thanked: 23 Times	I come from a defence background and my father is in a senior position in the Army. he always makes sure that the vehicles are only used for official purposes. He has an official Safari ( 3.0 ltr), two Ambys and a gypsy, though all are equipped with Sirens they are only used when genuinely required and not to harass others. Also when in a convoy the pilot gypsy is strictly instructed not to block others. I have written the above not for any clarification but to counter the claim that defence vehicles do not follow traffic rules. As far as the toll tax is concerned defence vehicles with arrow numbers are authorised by govt of india not to pay toll tax so it is not the question of whims and fancies of the defence driver/official! Toll tax has to be paid on roads on BOT( build operate transfer) such as DND. Iam not saying that defence vehicles are the best followers of traffic rules but that does not mean people should make generalisations .
	() Thanks

14th November 2008, 22:03	#57
hsejars BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 86 Thanked: 5 Times	I think we can extend this topic to two wheelers, autos, trucks (esp those that carry water and sand), tractors ... so effectively every one! I use the New Tippassandra main road (Bangalore) every day which is supposed to be a one way and there is a steady stream of traffic (2,3,4 & 6 Wheelers) going the wrong way. I also find quite a few 2 wheelers riding without helmets (an offence in Karnataka) in that area. I have seen autos, 2W, tractors go the wrong way in many areas. There just doesn't seem to be any enforcement as the cops are busy directing traffic and cannot bother with this. Even at traffic junctions, they do not catch these people because the moment they move out of the junction, there is chaos - hence the easiest times to break the laws is during peak hours (before 11AM and after 6PM). Until us Indians pick up some basic sense of courtesy (both on and off road) this is just going to continue.
	() Thanks

22nd January 2012, 15:05	#58
Dreadnought BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Jorhat Posts: 37 Thanked: 2 Times	Re: No traffic rules for Defence & Police forces in India? Armed forces are here to defend democracy,so that the rest of us have the right to speak and express our opinion freely. Anytime a transgression is noticed, the retribution is sure and swift. And unfortunately these guys(guilty or not) can never bring out their side of the story in public. As it is famously said they are here to protect democracy,not to practice it.
	() Thanks

22nd January 2012, 19:03	#59
wildsdi5530 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,434 Thanked: 2,046 Times	Re: No traffic rules for Defence & Police forces in India? Ther armed forces sacrifice their lives for us. Police forces alos put their life on line. They should be allowed to die on our roads. Another group I can think of is BMTC buses.
	() Thanks

22nd January 2012, 20:44	#60
SX4LOVER BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Highway Posts: 304 Thanked: 173 Times	Re: No traffic rules for Defence & Police forces in India? When an individual wears a "uniform", he reflects the fact that he has been given that uniform for a particular duty and responsibility that few else have been. so it becomes more binding on him to set an example to other countrymen as to what the conduct of an ideal citizen should be. Having said that...rule breakers exist amongst all strata of the society, more in the civil world because there is nor formal training for discipline and rules apart from the school, unlike that for a defence or police employee who go to specialised academies for the sole purpose. There are always a group of people who have no regards for rules and regulations, and when such a nature combines with a legacy that "can be" carried on, such as in armed forces, where one has the freedom to learn from the senior's behaviour and conduct, you get two kind of individuals - disciplined ones and the "other" kind. I rest my case.
	() Thanks