Traffic Rules &
Regulations



RESCUE - HELP
Introduction
Do not Drive without these Documents
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Valid driving
license
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Vehicle
registration certificate ( Form 23)
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Valid vehicle's
insurance certificate
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Permit and
vehicle's certificate of fitness (applicable only to transport vehicles)
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Valid Pollution
Under Control Certificate
On demand by a police officer in uniform or an
officer of the Transport Department,
produce these documents for inspection.
Rules of the road
GENERAL RULES
KEEP LEFT on a
two-way road to allow traffic from the opposite direction to pass on your right
and on a one-way road to allow vehicles behind you to overtake from your right.
WHEN TURNING LEFT, keep to the left side of the road you are leaving as
well as the one you are entering. When turning right, move to the centre of the
road you are leaving and arrive near the left side of road you are entering.
SLOW DOWN at road junctions, intersections, pedestrian crossings and
road corners and wait until you are sure of a clear passage ahead. if you are
entering a main road where traffic is not being regulated, give way to vehicles
passing on your right.
HAND SIGNALS
are necessary at certain times. When slowing down, extend your right arm palm
down and swing it up and down; when stopping, raise your forearm vertically
outside the vehicle; when turning right or changing lane to the right hand side,
extend your right arm straight out, palm to the front; when turning left or
changing lane to the left hand side, extend your right arm and rotate it in an
anti-clockwise direction. To allow the vehicle behind you to overtake, swing
your right arm backward and forward in a semi circular motion.
DIRECTION INDICATORS
Better use directions indicstors instead of hands singlals and both in case of
any emergancy.
WEARING A HELMET FOR TWO
WHEELER DRIVERS
is a statutory requirement. The helmet must conform to the ISI
standards and should bear the ISI mark. Helmet works as a shield for your head
in case of a mishap. It is designed for your individual safety and not as a
cover to avoid legal prosecution. For complete safety tie the strap properly
otherwise the helmet may slip from your head in case of an accident head injury.
(Turban wearing Sikhs are exempted from using a helmet).
DO NOT
PARK at or near a road crossing or on top of a hill or on a footpath;
too near a traffic light or pedestrian crossing; on a main road or a road with
heavy traffic; in front of or opposite another parked vehicle to cause
obstruction; on roads that have a white line; near a bus- stop, school or
hospital entrance; right next to a traffic sign thereby blocking it for others;
at the entrance of a building; near a fire hydrant thereby blocking access to
it; where parking is specifically prohibited.

THE
REGISTRATION MARK of the vehicle should be clear, legible and visible
at all times. Do not load the motor vehicle so as to obstruct the tail lights or
any other lights or marks required on the vehicle for its safety.
DO NOT DRIVE on a one way road except in the direction
permitted. Reversing into a one way street in the wrong direction, is also
prohibited.
DO NOT CROSS THE YELLOW LINE dividing the
road even while overtaking. On roads with defined lanes use appropriate
indicator signal before changing lanes.
DO NOT CROSS THE STOP
LINE painted on the road when you stop at a road junction or
intersection or a pedestrian crossing. In no case should your stationary vehicle
project, beyond this line.
TOWING IS PERMITTED only for
mechanically disabled or incompletely assembled motor vehicles, registered
trailers and side cars. Vehicles other than these may be towed for delivery to
the nearest garage or petrol pump in case of untimely breakdown.
USE THE HORN only when essential and do not use it in a silence zone.
Do not fit loud, multi-toned or harsh and shrill sounding horns or alarms in
your vehicle. Vehicles with altered silencers are also prohibited on the road.
DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO DRIVERS
either through police officers regulating traffic or through road signs
or traffic signals should be followed at all times. Violation of these is an
offense.
MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE DISTANCE
from the vehicle ahead of you to avoid collision if that vehicle suddenly slows
down or stops. A chart to guide you on minimum braking time required at
different speeds is given on page 33 for your information.
DO NOT BRAKE SUDDENLY
except for safety reasons.

ON MOUNTAINS AND STEEP ROADS
the vehicle driving uphill must be given the right of way by vehicles coming
downhill. If the road is not sufficiently wide, pull your vehicle to a stop on
the side of the road and allow the driver going uphill to proceed first.
WHEN ROAD REPAIR WORK
is going on, slow down and drive at a speed not exceeding twenty five kilometers
per hour.
DRIVERS OF TRACTORS AND GOODS
VEHICLES
are prohibited from carrying passengers for hire or reward. In a
tractor, the driver should not carry any other person and in a goods vehicle, he
should not exceed the number of persons permitted in the driver's cabin.
DO NOT CARRY GOODS on
a motor vehicle in a manner that may cause danger to any person, or load it thus
that the goods extend laterally beyond the side, front or to the rear of the
vehicle. Carrying of explosives, inflammable or dangerous substances by any
public service vehicle is also prohibited.
CARRY ONLY ONE PILLION RIDER
on your two wheeler. You must carry the rider only on the back seat. Do not
allow any rider to sit or stand in front of you (not even children). It is not
only illegal but often becomes dangerous because sudden braking may throw out
the child or person hitting the vehicle in front. It is a violation of law to
carry goods on your two wheeler as the rider may lose balance easily leading to
accidents.
DO NOT DRIVE BACKWARDS
longer than necessary, and do ensure that you do not cause danger or
inconvenience to any other person or vehicle while doing so.
DO NOT DRIVE on the
road if you are unwell or after taking medication that is likely to impair your
driving abilities including tonics that may have an alcohol content in them.
SHARING THE ROAD
Drivers often forget that roads are
not just for them alone. This can make things difficult on the road for
pedestrians, cyclists, scooterists and motor cyclists who do not have solid
protections around them. They are entitled to your care and consideration.
Always keep a close watch on other road users. Children, for example, may do
unexpected things. Elderly pedestrians may move more slowly than you expect or
may not see or hear you until you are too close.
ALWAYS GIVE WAY TO
PEDESTRIANS if there is danger to their safety. Take extra care if they
are children or elderly people. There are some obvious places and times where
you should take extra care like shopping centres, busy intersections, schools,
parks and residential areas where children and others have a greater need of
crossing the road. Also, in wet weather, people may hurry and take risks. At
night remember that pedestrians may not always be aware how hard it can be for
you to see them. Be careful when approaching parked cars or buses. It is
difficult to see or anticipate people crossing from behind them. Slow down at
pedestrian crossings or intersections, specially if you are turning.
You must give way to
pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing. This means you must approach the crossing
at a speed which will let you stop in time. Not all pedestrians look before they
step onto a crossing. So watch out for anyone approaching and be ready to stop.
You must stop if a pedestrian is on a
school crossing. This applies even if there is no crossing supervisor
present. Stop at the stop line until all pedestrians are off the crossing.
NEVER INDULGE IN ZIG-ZAG
DRIVING, specially on two wheelers. It is not only dangerous for you
but is a danger for others also. Motorcycles have a high accelerating power.
Don't misuse it. Don't overtake when it is not necessary. Remember, at higher
speed the slightest collision can prove to be fatal.
DO NOT OVERTAKE
another vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian school crossing. That
driver may have stopped, or may be stopping, for a pedestrian you cannot see.
YOU MUST GIVE WAY to
pedestrians when you are entering or leaving private property such as a
driveway. If you cannot see whether anyone is coming, sound your horn and then
drive out very slowly.
CYCLISTS AND MOTORCYCLISTS
have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of larger
vehicles. When overtaking cyclists, leave at least one metre clearance. Don't
try to share the lane with them. Cycle riders are entitled to ride two abreast.
Also, when you are about to alight from your car, check for bicycle riders or
scooterists to avoid opening your door in their path. Children on cycles can
also be unpredictable. Take extra care of them.
Bicycles scooters and
motorcycles are smaller than cars and therefore harder to see. A common cause of
accidents is the failure of a right-turning driver to notice an oncoming
motorcycle as motorcycle accelerate much faster than cars. What appears to be a
safe gap in traffic may not be if there is an oncoming motorcycle or a scooter.
Bicycles can travel surprisingly fast.
30 km/h is not unusual. Drivers can easily underestimate their speed. Be careful
not to cut them off when turning in front of them.
Most motorcycle
crashes happen at intersections. Before turning, or entering an intersection,
have one more look to make sure there's no motorcycle or bicycle there.
Motorcyclists and cyclists can be hidden by trucks and buses which are
overtaking them. Only move left or turn left from behind a large vehicle when
you are sure the road is clear.

LOOK OUT FOR large, heavy, turning
vehicles. When such a vehicle is turning, you must not pass on the left or right
of the vehicle. If your vehicle comes between a large turning vehicle and the
kerb, there is a likelihood of your vehicle getting crushed. Remember, long
vehicles may use more than one lane when negociating turns.
OVERTAKING
WHEN OVERTAKING do so
from right of the vehicles you are passing. If the driver of the vehicle in
front of you indicates that he is turning right, you may pass from his left.
Remember not to cut in onto heavy vehicles. They need more room to slow down and
stop.
DO NOT OVERTAKE when you think it might endanger
other traffic on the road; if the road ahead is not clearly visible, for
example, near a bend or a hill. If you know that the vehicle behind you has
begun to overtake you; if the driver ahead of you has not yet signalled his
agreement that you pass him. If you cannot see for more than 150 metres
ahead, because of a hill or curve or if the road is narrowing, avoid overtaking.
If a vehicle has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, intersection or railway
crossing, do not overtake it. In a multi-lane road, you must remember to give
way to traffic already in the lane you are moving into.
WHEN
BEING OVERTAKEN do not increase the speed of your own vehicle. This
creates confusion for the driver trying to overtake you.
DRIVING AT NIGHT
There are fewer cars on the road at
night. This does not increase your safety in any manner. This is because speeds
are higher, people and bicycles are difficult to see and other motorists or
pedestrians may have been drinking. Drive slowly and you will be able to react
better. At higher speeds, the stopping distance exceeds the seeing distance
thereby causing accidents.
 The driver will not see the cattle in time
to stop
The high beam is useful for extra
seeing distance. However, you must dip your headlights to low beam when an
approaching vehicle is within 200m, or die other vehicle's headlights dip,
whichever is sooner. Also dip your headlights when driving 200m or less behind
another vehicle.
 Dip your lights for oncoming
traffic
 Dip your lights when following
other vehicles
Remember not to use high beam in foggy
conditions as your light reflects back, reducing visibility. Also remember to
use your dipper at night. If oncoming traffic does not dip its high beam,
look to the left side of the road and drive towards the left of your lane.
If you are dazzled, slow down or pull over until your eyes recover.
HOW TO STOP QUICKLY
The best way to stop quickly is to
drive slowly. Sometimes, unexpected things happen quickly. A driver can pull out
of a side street without warning. A pedestrian can suddenly step out from behind
a parked car. A truck can drop some of its load. A scooterist or motorcyclist
could hit a pot-hole and fall off. If you are travelling too fast, it may be
difficult to avoid an accident.
In the diagram below one of the cars
is driving at a speed higher by only 10 km/h. A truck suddenly pulls up in
front. If both drivers brake hard at the same time, one car will avoid a
collision while the other will strike the truck at 30 km/h. (These calculations
are based on ideal road conditions, good drivers and well-maintained cars. This
may not be the case always.)


RIGHT OF WAY
At some crossroads there are no
traffic lights or signs. When you come to one of these intersections you must
give way to vehicles travelling in the intersection on your right as marked
below:
   Red car has to give way to other oncoming
vehicles
You must also give way to the right at
intersections where the lights have failed. If yours and an oncoming vehicle are
turning right at an intersection both cars should pass in front of each other.

If the other drivers do not give way
to you, do not commit the same mistake they are doing.
Give way to fire engines and
ambulances by driving your vehicles to the side of the road.
Give way to pedestrians at crossings
that are not regulated.
Give way to traffic already in the
lane you are moving into.

INTERSECTION
At T-intersections the vehicle
travelling on the road that ends must give way to any vehicle travelling on the
road that continues (unless otherwise sign-posted). The give way to the right
rule does not apply to T-intersections.
 Red Car has to give way to Blue Car
ROUNDABOUTS AND HOW TO APPROACH THEM
An intersection with a central traffic
island is called a roundabout. Give way to vehicles already on the road. If you
are turning, as you approach or exit the roundabout, you must use your indicator
to show where you are going. Always slow down and prepare to give way at a
roundabout. Please follow lane markings on the road leading to the roundabout.

If there are no lane demarcations, do
not overtake from the left. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the
traffic.
When turning left, stay on the left.
When going straight, from whichever lane you enter, drive in the same position
through the roundabout. When turning right, drive close to the centre of the
roundabout. Take care while changing position on the roundabout, particularly
when exiting.
TURNING
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Remember to give way to
pedestrians when turning to the left. When turning right, make proper hand
or indicator signal, move as close to the centre line as possible and Turn
only when there is no oncoming vehicle. |
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U-TURN
WHEN TAKING A U-TURN signal by hand
the way you would for a right turn, observing the traffic behind you in your
rear view mirror at the same time. Do not take a U-turn where it is specifically
prohibited.
U-turns can be
dangerous. Be extra careful while taking one. Make sure it is safe and let other
motorists know by signalling at least 30 metres before you turn.
Remember
U-turns cannot be made at traffic lights, on high-ways or if your U-turn
disrupts traffic. Also U-turns are prohibited on a road marked with any single
unbroken line or double centre lines whether or not one line is broken.
Traffic Signals
STOP: Stop well before the stop line, and don't
crowd the intersection. This not only obstructs a clear view of the intersection
for other road users, but also make the zebra crossing unsafe for the
pedestrians. You are allowed to turn left at the red signal unless there is a
sign specifically forbidding you to do so. When turning, yield the right of way
to pedestrians and vehicles from other directions.
BE ALERT: The Amber light gives time to
vehicles to clear the road when the signal is changing from green to red. If
caught in the Amber signal in the middle of a large road crossing do not press
your accelerator in panic but do continue with care.
GO: If first in line, do not go tearing off at
the green signal but pause to see whether vehicles from other directions have
cleared the road. Sometimes you are allowed to turn left or right too, unless
separate signs exist for each direction. if turning, yield the right of way to
pedestrians and vehicles from other directions.
STEADY
GREEN ARROW SIGNAL Proceed with caution in the direction
indicated by the arrows. Remember that you must yield to all pedestrians and
vehicles already in the intersection.
  
FLASHING RED SIGNAL
You must come to a complete stop, yield to all other traffic and to pedestrians.
Proceed only when the way is clear.
FLASHING AMBER SIGNAL
You should slow down and proceed with caution.
Road Signs ( Mandatory)
All
the compulsory signs are indicated in a circular form. The violation of traffic
or road regulations indicated buy these signs is a legal offence !
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Straight prohibited or No entry |
One Way Sign |
One Way Sign |
Vehicle Prohibited in both directions |
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All motor vehicles prohibited |
Truck prohibited |
Bullock cart prohibited |
Tonga prohibited |
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Hand cart prohibited |
Cycle prohibited |
Pedestrians prohibited |
Right turn prohibited |
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Left turn prohibited |
U-turn prohibited |
Overtaking prohibited |
Horn prohibited |
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Bullock cart & cart prohibited |
Length limit |
Speed limit |
Load limit |
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Height limit |
Width limit |
Axle load limit |
Restriction ends sign |
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No parking |
No stopping or standing |
Compulsory ahead only |
Compulsory keep left |
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Compulsory turn left |
Compulsory turn right |
Compulsory turn right ahead |
Compulsory turn left ahead |
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Compulsory ahead or turn left |
Compulsory ahead or turn right |
Compulsory cycle track |
Compulsory sound horn |
Precautionary Signs
These
are signs indicated in a triangular form. They are meant for the safety of the
road user :
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Right hand curve |
Left hand curve |
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Hair pin bend right |
Hair pin bend left |
Right reverse bend |
Left reverse bend |
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Steep ascent |
Steep decent |
Narrow road ahead |
Wide road ahead |
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Narrow bridge |
Slippery road |
Loose gravel |
Cycle crossing |
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Pedestrian crossing |
School ahead |
Men at work |
Cattle |
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Falling rocks |
Ferry |
Cross road |
Gap in median |
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Side road left |
Side road right |
Y-intersection |
Y-intersection |
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Y-intersection |
T- intersection |
Staggered intersection |
Staggered intersection |
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Major road ahead |
Major road ahead |
Roundabout |
Dangerous dip |
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Hamp or rough road |
Barrier ahead |
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200 metres ahead |
50-100 metres in plain and rolling terrain and 30-60
metres in hilly terrain |
200 metres ahead |
50-100 metres in plain and rolling terrain and 30-60
metres in hill terrain |
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Ungarded level crossing |
Garded level crossing |

Informatory Signs
These
gives you information about such things as high way facilities, parking
facilities etc and you can recognise them from their blue backround.
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Public telephone |
Petrol pump |
Hospital |
First aid post |
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Eating place |
Light refreshment |
Resting place |
No thorough road |
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Park this side |
No thorough side road |
Parking both sides |
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Scooter and motorcycle stand |
Cycle stand |
Taxi stand |
Auto rickshaw stand |

Traffic Police Hand Signals
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To stop vehicles approaching from behind. |
To stop vehicles approaching simultaneously from
front and behind. |
To stop vehicles approaching from the right to allow
vehicles from the left to turn right. |
To stop vehicles approaching from the left and
wanting to turn right. |
To stop vehicles coming from front. |
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Beckoning vehicles approaching from left. |
To allow vehicles coming from the right and turning
right by stoping traffic approaching from the left. |
Warning signal closing all vehicles. |
Beckoning vehicles appraoching from right. |
Beckoning vehicles from front. |

Other Information : Types of Line Markings
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Single Broken
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Separation of lanes on
which travel is in the same direction, with crossing from one to the other
permitted. |
Single Broken
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Separation of lanes on
which travel is in the opposite direction, and where overtaking with care is
permitted. |
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Single Solid
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Separation of lanes or
of a lane and shoulder where lane changing is discouraged. |
Single Solid
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This line is found on
busy main roads and traffic intersection. Here crossing this line and
overtaking is prohibited. |
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Double Solid
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Separation of lanes
overtaking is prohibited in both directions. Right turn monoeuvres across
this marking are not permitted. |
Solid
+ Broken
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Separation of lanes
where overtaing is permitted with care for traffic adjacent to the broken
line, but prohibited for traffic adjacent to solid line. |

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