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Road Trip Tips
While on the roads, every one sharing the roads should
respect each others presence and their right of advancement on roads.
The section points out some basic tips in order to make driving
a smooth experience.
For Cyclist:
In the year 2003, 772 Cyclists were involved in
accidents on Delhi Roads. 171 of them succumbed to their injuries
while 646 were seriously injured. In order to be safe while cycling
on roads of Delhi, keep the following tips in mind:
- Wear a cycle helmet and appropriate clothes.
- Use the cycle lane, where ever provided. Ride
on the left of the road, with other traffic.
- Obey stop signs and traffic lights, like the
rest of the traffic.
- Give signals with one hand while riding. Never
ride with just one hand on the handle bar except when giving a
signal.
- Keep both feet on the pedals.
- Look back over your shoulders and take a right
turn comfortably, give way to the traffic coming from behind.
- Never follow any vehicle closely. Maintain safe
distance.
- Avoid big and busy roads with fast moving traffic.
- Do not enter a street where you see the "No
Entry" sign.
- Stop before you enter moving traffic from a driveway,
a parking lot, a minor road, or from behind a parked car or bus.
Go ahead only when the way is clear.
- If you are passing a stopped car be careful,
a door may suddenly open.
- Never stop your cycle on a pedestrian crossing.
Never ride your cycle on a footpath.
- Never try to overtake- if you must, do it only
if the driver of the vehicle in your front has permitted or signaled
you to overtake. Never try to overtake a vehicle, which is in
the process of taking a turn.
- Under no circumstances should you ride on the
wrong side of the road or cross the road abruptly.
- Never stop suddenly without showing a signal.
Watchfully move towards the left while slowing down, but signal
your intentions to the traffic following you.
For Pedestrians:
The most important safety tip to reduce pedestrian
injuries is to pay attention. Follow safety rules on the road and
live long. In order to be safe while walking on roads of Delhi, keep
the following tips in mind:
- Make eye contact with drivers if possible and
make sure that they can see you.
- Avoid walking next to the kerb with your back
to the traffic.
- Wear or carry something light colored, bright
or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions. When it is dark, use
reflective materials (e.g. armbands, sashes, waistcoats and jackets.
- Walk between children and the traffic and hold
their hands firmly.
- Always walk on the footpath, where there is no
footpath, walk in the right side margin of the road so that you
can see the traffic coming in the opposite direction.
- Cross roads where there are pedestrian crossings.
Where there are no pedestrian crossings, watch the traffic on
both sides and cross when it is safe.
- You must not walk on motorways or slip roads except
in an emergency.
- Never walk on the main carriageway.
- Do not read newspapers or look at hoardings while
walking on the road.
- Do not greet friends on the road.
- Do not come on to the main road while waiting
for a bus. Do not run after a moving bus. Get on or off a bus
only when it has stopped to allow you to do so.
- Do not climb over the barriers or walk between
them and the road.
- You must not get on to or hold on to a moving
vehicle.
- Don't "Drink and Walk."
- When using any type of crossing you should always
check that the traffic.
- You must not loiter on zebra crossings.
- If an ambulance, fire engine, police or other
emergency vehicle approaches using flashing blue lights, headlights
and/or sirens, keep off the road.
For School Children:
Children should be taught the safety code and
should not be allowed on the road alone until they can understand
and follow it properly. Children learn by example, so parents and
teachers should always follow the Code properly when going out with
their children. In order to make school children safe on Delhi roads,
keep the following tips in mind:
- Always walk on the footpath only. On roads without
footpath, walk on the extreme right hand side of the roads.
- Do not be impatient on the road.
- Do not rush or run on the road.
- Cross only at Zebra crossings, traffic signals,
subways, foot over-bridges.
- Cross only on a clear green signal.
- Do not cross unless all lanes are clear.
- Never cross a road at a corner or curve.
For Drivers:
Drivers usually drive under tense conditions. They should primarily
focus on ways to control aggressiveness:
- Be a cautious and courteous driver. Have consideration
for others.
- Avoid creating a situation that may provoke another
motorist.
- Don't tailgate.
- Don't make inappropriate hand and facial gestures.
- Use horn sparingly.
- Stay far behind a suspected drunken driver.
- Always wear safety belts.
- Use low beams in bad weather conditions.
- Keep specified speed limits in mind while driving.
- Limit the speed at curves and turns.
- During night time be cautious about road signs,
pedestrians, animals, slow moving vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles.
- If someone is catching up and wants to overtake,
let him.
- Don't drive faster than the flow of the traffic.
- Two wheeler drivers should wear helmets.
- Car drivers and others in cars should wear seat
belts.
- Always carry your driving license and important
documents such as your vehicle registration certificate, insurance
certificate, road tax, and P.U.C certificate with you while driving.
- Don't drink while driving.
- Don't drive under influence of drugs.
- Obey all traffic signals, lights and signs.
- Use indicators and signals while changing lanes.
- Don't use cell phones while driving.
- Always stay alert while on road and be considerate
to pedestrians especially with senior citizens, handicapped and
ladies.
- Don't overload vehicles.
- Don't use tinted glasses.
- Always drive in correct gears.
- Avoid sudden braking and harsh acceleration.
- Never use clutch as footrest while driving.
Note:
These are a collection of rules generally applicable to whole of
the driver community as a whole including private and commercial
vehicle drivers.
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