Team-BHP > Shifting gears
Register New Topics New Posts Top Thanked Team-BHP FAQ


Closed Thread
  Search this Thread
2,080 views
Old 5th June 2010, 14:47   #1
BHPian
 
hellmet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: GTA | GHMC
Posts: 886
Thanked: 1,025 Times
Guidelines for traffic junctions/intersections?

Does someone know of a law/rulebook that sets guidelines for traffic intersections in India?

Traffic intersections in Hyderabad are such a mess. Traffic signals fail frequently, are timed poorly, are not properly visible, do not accommodate pedestrian traffic. Pedestrian footpaths are nil, or if present, are occupied by vendors, ads, poles, transformers, etc. Lane markings with proper turn arrows are a rarity. There is no proper signage (See This) to indicate the intersecting roads neither are there any directions. There is no mention of free left turns (allowed or not). There are no lane guiding lines nor turning lane pockets ( a relief ( See This) . It's complete chaos.

If someone can point us to a set of guidelines, we should be able to use RTI to make the govt. do its duty. Also, any information on other transport (esp. road) related guidelines would be really welcome. I am a transport fanatic and am really interested in such information. The question is: Do we have any guidelines at all?


Sanjay V
hellmet is offline  
Old 7th June 2010, 20:23   #2
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dombivli
Posts: 3,056
Thanked: 2,139 Times

Any good driving school should be able to help you with the basic rules.

Pedestrians have the right of way over vehicles on most roads, so if you find a person crossing the road, you have to yield (i.e. stop and allow him to cross).

Following signals is pretty simple, I guess you can make out the colours and what they mean. When you see a yellow light, don't speed away hoping it will stay yellow. Stop before the intersection (if there's a pedestrian/zebra crossing, stop before it). And for you to be able to stop this way, do not approach signals as if they are flag-off ceremonies for F1. Always be at moderate/low speeds and be prepared to stop.

If there's a traffic policeman regulating traffic, you should follow his signals instead of the traffic lights, irrespective of whether the lights are working or not.

Also at intersections where there's no policeman or anyone else regulating traffic and there are no lights or the lights are not working, the vehicles on the right have the right of way. This means if you are at crossroads and need to cross/turn etc, you must allow any vehicles coming from your right hand direction to pass before you make your move.

While it does make a motorist's life miserable when the signs/markings/signals etc. are either non-existent or non-functional, please remember most of the towns in India have not been planned, or have not been planned with good motorways in mind.

Lastly, you can always write to the local municipal council or regional transport office to get your grievances addressed.

You can approach any lawyer with knowledge of the motor vehicles act to give you extensive information on this.
honeybee is offline  
Closed Thread

Most Viewed


Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks