On Indian roads, where everyone seems to march to the beat of their own personal drum, road users are governed not so much by rules but a benign but bewildering cosmic chaos. As I said before, driving in India prepares you for various life challenges. Most drivers on Indian roads are blissfully unaware that these are in fact traffic violations, punishable with a fine (modest for first time violations and three times that for subsequent violations) and in some cases prison as well:
Driving on a footpath
Here’s news for all you guys merrily thinking you’ve cocked a snook at that traffic jam by getting your bike on to the footpath: this is a traffic violation. The flip side to this is pedestrians who walk on streets and not the footpath.
Triple riding
Also an offence. News for mummy, Chintu precariously perched on her lap and Bittu sandwiched between her and the utterly frazzled papa riding the scooter as well as for the intrepid young men who believe motorbikes are built for six plus dog.
Giving alms, buying items from vendors at intersection
You felt like buying a sunshade, some strawberries or a phone charger? You decided to feel sorry for the beggar with the creative patter and extremely realistic limp? You committed and offence under 22(a) RRR/177 MV Act!
Honking offences
Those truck horns that can be heard for miles? Illegal. Blowing your horn incessantly (because it is your god given right as an Indian road user) in No Horn zones? Illegal! Having no horn at all? Illegal too!
Dangerous overtaking /lane cutting
Lanes? Huh? Usually the traffic on our roads is a haphazard, amorphous, indistinguishable mass of cars, scooters, buses, rickshaws, cycles, autos, lorries, carts, people and assorted animals. Overtaking is not a right, it is a compulsion: from the left, right, footpath, divider… Right? Wrong!
Use of mobile phones while driving
You think you look cool/important/busy/nonchalant/bindaas speaking on the phone while driving or riding a scooter? You merely look slow and dimwitted; and make other road users want to bang you on your head with your own handheld device. Plus its an offence under the MVA!
Dangerous/ reckless driving
Now I think this one is just superfluous. Dangerous and reckless driving is the norm and not the exception on our roads; Indian road use is only for the brave and intrepid willing to do battle each day. But guess what, an offence such as this attracts fine up to Rs 1000 and prison up to 6 months. Or both!
No helmet
It may surprise some two wheeler users to know this, but that helmet is in fact not arm décor. It goes on the head! You have a lovely, expensive protective cover for your phone. Don’t you think your head is at least as important?
Light related offences
Inappropriate use of high-beam is an offence. Use of colored lights is an offence. Also, driving without lights after sunset? You guessed it, offence!
Driving by minors
Your kid driving a car or riding a scooter is not adorable and it doesn’t mean that your kid is smart for his/her age. It merely proves that you’re a really, really stupid parent. 4/181 of the MVA says so.
Useful to know
If an auto or taxi refuses to ply, charges extra or misbehaves with a passenger, this is punishable too. Next time someone tries to pull a fast one on you, quote section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act at them!
More info at Delhi Traffic Offences and Penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act
