Traffic Signs and Road Safety in India, A Must Read for Learner’s License

Traffic Signs

In our country, there are a lot of such people, who have incomplete knowledge about traffic signs and traffic rules.  If every driver is aware of the traffic rules and the main traffic signs, then he can make an important contribution to protecting the lives of other drivers including himself.

Save Yourself by Learning Traffic Signs in India and Road Safety Measures

Road safety rules and traffic signals are the life saviour methods which should be adopted by each and every person while walking on the roads. These safety methods are designed to avoid accidents on the road and to reduce the risk of injury.

Traffic signs are the silent speakers on the road. Be it the person behind the wheel or a pedestrian, having sound knowledge about road safety is necessary for all before hitting the streets.

Traffic signs give information about the road conditions ahead, provide instructions to be followed at major crossroads or junctions, warn or guide drivers, and ensure the proper functioning of road traffic. Being unaware of road signs is akin to throwing caution to the wind. It can lead to loss of life and property. A person is supposed to be familiar (get through a written or oral test) with the traffic signs and symbols before acquiring a driving license in India.

Road Safety Signs are primarily of three types:

  1. Mandatory Signs – These traffic signs are used to ensure free movement of traffic and make the road users cognisant of specific laws and regulations, restrictions and prohibitions. Violation of these road safety signs is an offence, as per law.
Road safety mandatory signs Image
About Image: Road safety mandatory signs are used to ensure free movement of traffic and make the road users of certain laws and regulations, restrictions and prohibitions.
  1. Cautionary Signs – These traffic signs make road users conscious of hazardous conditions on the road beforehand. The drivers, accordingly, take necessary actions to handle the situation.
Road safety cautionary signs Image
About Image: Road safety cautionary signs make the road users conscious of hazardous conditions on the road beforehand. The drivers, accordingly, take necessary actions to handle the situation.
  1. Informatory Signs – These traffic signs guide road users about destinations, distances, alternative routes, and prominent locations like food joints, public toilets, nearby hospitals, etc.
Road safety informatory signs
Road safety informatory signs guide road users about destinations, distances, alternative routes, and prominent locations like food joints, public toilets, nearby hospitals, etc.
  • Pay special attention to the parking of all your types of vehicles

 Every driver should keep in mind that while parking his vehicle, take special care of it.  Even if you are parking your vehicle for a short time, you should park your vehicle in an orderly place so that no other person will face any kind of trouble.

  • Do not attempt to overtake any other driver while driving on the road.

Never race with another driver while driving on the road.  By doing this, you are not only violating the traffic rules, but you are also playing with the life of any other driver.  Don’t ever make such a mistake even by forgetting it.

  • Vehicle horn should not be used repeatedly while driving

Never use its presence repeatedly while driving, by doing so you spoil the attention of the driver in front of you.  Along with this, you also promote a problem like noise pollution.

  • Follow the rule of the one-way road

Whenever you are driving your vehicle on a one-way road, you should follow that road continuously.  Such roads are made only for a short distance, which is only for the convenience of the driver.

  • The driver should drive their vehicle according to his direction

The driver of the vehicle should follow the lane of the direction in which he is going during his entire driving time.  If the driver breaks the rules of the lane due to speed, then he also affects the other vehicles on the road with this act.  That is why the vehicle should always be driven using the correct lane.

  • U-turn must be followed from the point of view of safety

Facilities like U-turns are only for the assistance of the driver, it is not the right of the driver to take a U-turn at any time.  While taking a U-turn, the driver should be very careful, during this time he should take a round turn after watching the traffic, otherwise, an accident is also possible with the vehicles coming from behind.

New traffic rules in India

Under the new rules, it will now be mandatory for children to wear a helmet and a safety belt (harness) while traveling on two-wheelers. Apart from this, the ministry has also said that the speed of the motorcycle should not exceed 40 KMPH while carrying a child up to four years of age in the back seat.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement, “The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways vide notification dated 15th February 2022 has amended Rule 138 of CMVR, 1989. Under this, norms have been prescribed regarding safety measures in cases of carriage of children below the age of four years on a motor-cycle.

Road safety education:

Education about road safety is often provided in schools, colleges, workplaces, clubs and public places. However, there could be other ways to create mass awareness:

  • Distribute booklets and pamphlets in schools.
  • Show presentations on road safety, traffic signs and negative aspects of road accidents in the classrooms.
  • Share online content with peers.
  • Encourage parents to help children learn preventive measures in real time.
  • Educate teachers on the basic laws and regulations on the road.

Celebrating Road Safety

Every year, prominent metro cities of India celebrate road safety week to promote road safety measures and educate people about various traffic signs. During the entire week, the transport departments of multiple states create awareness through the community-building process in schools, colleges, offices, and on roads. They also sensitise people about the outcome of drunken driving, high-speed driving, and the importance of wearing a helmet for bikers and seat belts for four-wheeler drivers. They also educate about traffic and driving signals. At times, they choose themes to communicate to the masses. India celebrated ‘Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha’ from January 10 to January 17

A Road to Hell: National Statistics on Accidental Deaths in India

Driving in India can be more dangerous than you and I can ever imagine. According to statistical reports, 50-55 deaths happen every 1 hour due to road accidents in India. When all the developed nations are focusing on reducing the rates of accidental deaths, Indian roads have become worse than ever. According to a report published by National Crime Records Bureau,  NCRB (2021), Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths due to road accidents (27,661 deaths) followed by Maharashtra (18,524 deaths) and Madhya Pradesh (13,497 deaths).

India is one of the countries with the highest number of cases of road accidental road. According to a report, nearly 35000-40000 accidents happen in India annually, of which 25,000  people die on the road. Mainly unawareness of driving signals, drunken driving, low user adoption of helmets, seat belts and lack of child restraints in vehicles are the major reasons behind the rising cases of road accidents in India.