Surviving India: Indian traffic rules for dummies (Part III)
11.You can always tell how a person will drive, by the ownership and age of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not owned by the driver (all commercial vehicles, driver driven vehicles) or is older than 3-4 years, stay away from him as much as possible. The owners/drivers have nothing to loose and take sadistic pleasure in spoiling other vehicles. The newer the vehicle they spoil, the more the pleasure they get.
12. If you get a 'Yellow' signal while approaching a traffic signal, NEVER stop. You will be rammed by vehicles in a hurry to drive by from behind. If you get a 'Green' signal, don't start driving immediately either. Courtesy demands that the other lanes get a further window of opportunity of 3-5 more seconds to understand that they have to stop now. This is not mandatory, however, in many cities in India and many drivers choose to ignore REDS altogether.
13. NEVER charge an oncoming truck driver to fight for road space. If you insist, that will be the end of the road for you. Instead, dip your lights as a respectful salute and let him pass by. Some drivers are also known to honk a "Thank you" to the truck which has passed by for sparing their life.
14. If you stop at a red signal when there are no or little vehicles on the other lanes, or late in the night, you might risk being stared off as a madman. Some people have been beaten up for lesser crimes
15. NEVER apologize for any traffic wrong you do. If at all you must appear apologetic, a cursory wave of hand will do. Generally, shouting abuses is considered an appropriate reaction by one and all.
12. If you get a 'Yellow' signal while approaching a traffic signal, NEVER stop. You will be rammed by vehicles in a hurry to drive by from behind. If you get a 'Green' signal, don't start driving immediately either. Courtesy demands that the other lanes get a further window of opportunity of 3-5 more seconds to understand that they have to stop now. This is not mandatory, however, in many cities in India and many drivers choose to ignore REDS altogether.
13. NEVER charge an oncoming truck driver to fight for road space. If you insist, that will be the end of the road for you. Instead, dip your lights as a respectful salute and let him pass by. Some drivers are also known to honk a "Thank you" to the truck which has passed by for sparing their life.
14. If you stop at a red signal when there are no or little vehicles on the other lanes, or late in the night, you might risk being stared off as a madman. Some people have been beaten up for lesser crimes
15. NEVER apologize for any traffic wrong you do. If at all you must appear apologetic, a cursory wave of hand will do. Generally, shouting abuses is considered an appropriate reaction by one and all.
16. Fight over parking at your own risk. Cricketer Navjyot Singh Siddhu actually killed an old man over a parking dispute and thats one case which got registered officially. When the high court sentenced him a few days ago, people hailed him as a hero who got punished unnecessarily! There was no 'intent' to kill they said. It was only how thing turned out to be.
Drive safe.
Labels: Surviving India
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