[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by itspatra

Just received a video of the Convoy of the CM of Kerala involved in a accident. No one seems to be hurt.
https://Youtu.be/ZeG43OxY0KI

Thats not even a regular double solid line, but a striped median marking.

This is to be considered equivalent to physical median which means vehicles are not supposed to enter it, neither to overtake nor to take a turn.

I am no fan of these convoys who shows unnecessary hurry on roads, but in this case, the primary culprit is the scooter lady, who caused the slowdown by braking and stopping to cut across a striped median.

(I know its a meaningless observation where we have people casually driving on opposite lanes on divided expressways)

[binand]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

This is what VIP kids in Britain (and other countries) can get. Surely we can do as well for our VIPs? Army or police drivers?

The genuine VIPs - those who actually are under threat when they are on the road - do get similar sort of security and drivers. We call the arrangement Z+ security and so on.

But we also have a class of VIPs - "very insecure people" - who think the size of their motorcade, the cost of the vehicles used, the number of policemen (and women) deployed and the number of people inconvenienced each time they went to the corner store are all indicators of their own importance.

Kerala CM's convoys have always been a danger to the general public. The CM himself travels in a modern, built-for-speed car while the accompanying cops travel in dilapidated police vehicles (such is the situation of Kerala police that pump owners refuse to refuel their vehicles). The convoy's smallest ("pared to the bone") size is 5 vehicles; here I counted 9.

People seem to be quick to blame the lady - "she is the primary culprit", really? Every single car in the motorcade is also committing the exact same violation as she. Since when are we responsible for the situations the vehicles behind us get into?

Suppose A jumps a red light. B, following A, jumps the same red light but gets involved in an accident. Is A culpable for the accident that B got into?

Also - if the turn the lady is taking is not beneficial to the overall traffic situation, block it with a properly built median separator (at the very least, put up a "no right turn" board). If it is beneficial, install a signal. Just drawing some lines on the road is no solution.

[naveen.raju]

AFAIK, no case is being registered as the convoy is also at fault here. As per the statement from the police and MVD, only fire truck and ambulances are permitted to cross the striped double yellow line and the convoy also crossed the line. Since the CM is involved, they wish not to proceed further.

[electric_eel]

Originally Posted by binand

Also - if the turn the lady is taking is not beneficial to the overall traffic situation, block it with a properly built median separator (at the very least, put up a "no right turn" board). If it is beneficial, install a signal. Just drawing some lines on the road is no solution.

Agree to most of what you said but not the "proper median" point. There are advantages of drawing double yellow lines if, and this is a big IF, people are willing to follow the rules.

1. It will not further narrow the already narrow roads

2. In the case of emergency, by which I mean real emergency, not emergencies like I would miss the latest episode of Big boss, there is a possibility of going to the other side.

Point 2 is really important as I can explain with the example of railway crossings. Many years ago when I still did not know how to drive (at tender age of let us say mid 30's), I noticed that all the railway crossings in Germany had gates that only cover half the length of the road (the right side of the road). Clearly such a system will not work in India but it works well in Germany because vehicles (and pedestrians) queue up at closed gates. It took me some time to figure out why the half gate is such a great idea. A vehicle that gets stuck in between for whatever reason can get out even when the gates close.

In times of emergency, explicit barricade, medians and other obstacles can be a serious issues. If only people would adhere to road markings, it would save a lot of issues. But I agree with you, in India it is a far cry where even explicit medians does not prevent people from going the "other way".

[anb]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

AFAIK, no case is being registered as the convoy is also at fault here. As per the statement from the police and MVD, only fire truck and ambulances are permitted to cross the striped double yellow line and the convoy also crossed the line. Since the CM is involved, they wish not to proceed further.

Practically, it is impossible to drive on the 2 lanes of roads of Kerala without crossing solid white lines and yellow lines. Almost everyone do it regularly. I have done it so many times. I wish the authority won't strictly implement such rules. Else everyone will be paying fines on regular basis.

[rajivr1612]

Caught this minor accident between a car and bicycle today. Hopefully no harm to the old gent.
The car bonnet had a long scratch.

https://youtu.be/b3XlKI97ydQ?si=zTnLque9s_2FEr9k

[plutonium]

Originally Posted by rajivr1612

Caught this minor accident between a car and bicycle today. Hopefully no harm to the old gent.
The car bonnet had a long scratch.

https://Youtu.be/b3XlKI97ydQ?si=zTnLque9s_2FEr9k

Why is everyone in India unable to yield anywhere to anyone? I don't think that car has that big of a A-pillar blindspot to completely miss the cyclist.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by rajivr1612

Caught this minor accident between a car and bicycle today. Hopefully no harm to the old gent.
The car bonnet had a long scratch.

https://Youtu.be/b3XlKI97ydQ?si=zTnLque9s_2FEr9k

Normal practice is to signal, stop, wait will road it clear then cross

[aashishnb]

Originally Posted by itspatra

Just received a video of the Convoy of the CM of Kerala involved in a accident. No one seems to be hurt.
https://Youtu.be/ZeG43OxY0KI

Couldn't resist but write this:

In political convoys, more power goes to the head and not enough power goes to the (power) brakes....

Context if you haven't co-related - These vehicles used to have 'Power Brake' or 'Air Brake' written on the back to warn following cars

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Why does 1 person need to travel with 10s of cars, an ambulance, sometimes a firetruck also in tow ? Both the CM & the Governor who doesn’t miss a chance to criticize the CM/Govt do this.

I think this is a protocol decided by the NSG (or whichever agency is incharge of VIP security). Ambulances are almost always part of convoys, fire trucks less so. Could be based on threat assessments, etc.

Kind of similar to the US President having a bag of his blood group, oxygen tanks, etc. in the presidential limousine aka The Beast.

[Rahkehs]

In India the Drivers of Neta Ji/Babu’s are more “VIP” than the VIP themselves. Driving at breakneck speeds, unnecessarily using hooters/sirens, flashing indiscriminately are very common and if the VIP is not seated in the rear, these symptoms only increase!!

[handsofsteel]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

I think it varies from country to country and definitely not clear in India. Double yellow lines are to designate that vehicles must not cross into oncoming traffic lanes. As far as I know, it does not disallow turning into side roads or residences or commercial premises. Of course, this turn is subjected to hyper local traffic restrictions if clearly marked. Happy to be corrected of course!

Originally Posted by mayankk

This is ego-placation by way of making a scapegoat out of the woman. Every other vehicle in the lane behind her was aware of her well signaled intention to turn.

Originally Posted by chaitanyakrish

I don't understand the need for double solid lines when there's a right turn allowed.
Road markings in India are not in sync with the road design.

I am surprised to see this lack of awareness on an automotive forum. A double yellow line is very simply do not cross (includes a turn), do not take a U, do not overtake. Period. Please see following link for authority

https://traffic.delhipolice.gov.in/s...GS-ON-ROAD.pdf

Originally Posted by sarathlal

Thats not even a regular double solid line, but a striped median marking.

This is to be considered equivalent to physical median which means vehicles are not supposed to enter it, neither to overtake nor to take a turn.

I am no fan of these convoys who shows unnecessary hurry on roads, but in this case, the primary culprit is the scooter lady, who caused the slowdown by braking and stopping to cut across a striped median.

100% spot on sir.
I am not absolving the convoy or the other vehicles for their high speed antics but the mere act of stopping on the extreme right lane, next to a double yellow (or in this case, a striped median), is in itself a traffic offence.

Another similar oft ignored rule is the no-stop zone within 30 metres of any turn/ intersection. Every auto/ cab driver worth his salt in India can be found stopped on the corner of an intersection giving him a vantage point for both roads.

[chaitanyakrish]

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

I am surprised

Lines and lights don't stop people and also having lines drawn also doesn't mean that, they're drawn with a rational thought process after studying the traffic volume of that area.

Near my home there's a wide 80 feet road and with a speed limit of 30 kmph and obviously no one follows that as the sight distance is very high. Most speed limits, road markings do not really apply in India as they are kept without much analysis.

Look at the recent Gurgaon Speed breaker issue. After backlash on social media, authorities kept a non-standard sign board( Cautionary sign board should be triangle ) of speed breaker so close to the speed breaker, which doesn't help vehicles slow down.



Regarding the Kerala case, If the turning traffic is very high on that road, then it doesn't make sense to force people to go far and make a U turn. In such cases, the intersection needs to be shifted here and people can be allowed to make a turn. Without studying the traffic volume, we cannot draw random lines.

Also on narrow roads of Kerala, its very difficult to implement these rules as the density of vehicles is high for a such narrow roads.
And if there is a solid line in the middle, parking on either side also to be restricted to reduce losing space.

To conclude, in India, always rely on our observations and maintain crash avoidance space on all sides.

[mayankk]

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

I am surprised to see this lack of awareness on an automotive forum. A double yellow line is very simply do not cross (includes a turn), do not take a U, do not overtake. Period. Please see following link for authority

[.

unexpected call on the awareness, but is there also document that states that these lines and rules are not applicable for a convoy carrying a public figure?

[handsofsteel]

Originally Posted by chaitanyakrish

Lines and lights don't stop people and also having lines drawn also doesn't mean that, they're drawn with a rational thought process after studying the traffic volume of that area.

Regarding the Kerala case, If the turning traffic is very high on that road, then it doesn't make sense to force people to go far and make a U turn. In such cases, the intersection needs to be shifted here and people can be allowed to make a turn. Without studying the traffic volume, we cannot draw random lines.

Also on narrow roads of Kerala, its very difficult to implement these rules as the density of vehicles is high for a such narrow roads.
And if there is a solid line in the middle, parking on either side also to be restricted to reduce losing space.

That was never the debate here as far as I am concerned. Whether rightfully drawn or unscientific, the point that there is a line drawn automatically means the lady rider cannot be absolved of her role in the accident. It is like saying, just because there should be no speed breaker here, I will go at 60kmph. Rules may well be flouted, but when they come home to roost, we should be ready to accept the consequences too.

Originally Posted by mayankk

unexpected call on the awareness, but is there also document that states that these lines and rules are not applicable for a convoy carrying a public figure?

Please read my previous post, I have clearly stated that the convoy's actions cannot be condoned. They are equally (if not more) culpable for the accident. I am merely highlighting the fact that: -
a. The lady is not blameless.
b. Several members seemed to be unaware of the rule position with regards to the double yellow/ striped median.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

A double yellow line is very simply do not cross (includes a turn), do not take a U, do not overtake. Period. Please see following link for authority

Concede your point on the hatched distant solid lines denoting a median, BUT I still maintain that double solid centre-lines can be crossed (when safe) to turn right into private or commercial premises or a side road. That is the explicit rule in the UK at least and in large parts of the US. I am unaware of the Continent though.

In my 6+ years in the UK (Surrey, Midlands and Wales), I noted so many 2 lane undivided B carriageways with sometimes miles of solid centre-lines due to the narrow and winding road construction. These were dotted with residential dwellings and commercial establishments, which were perpetually in use by vehicles. All turned on double lines after carefully signifying so.

I also refer to the UK Highway Code: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-high...to-158#rule128