Lack of awareness about the rules is one of the main reasons why Indians don’t follow traffic rules. There are many traffic rules that are not known to most Indians, and this lack of knowledge leads to violations. In addition, there is a general attitude among many Indians that traffic rules are meant to be broken.
These are the rules and guidelines established by traffic authorities to regulate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on roads. Here are some common traffic rules:-
- Speed Limits: Adhere to posted speed limits to ensure safety.
- Traffic Signals: Obey traffic lights (red for stop, green for go, and yellow for caution).
- Stop Signs: Come to a complete stop at stop signs and proceed when it is safe.
- Pedestrian Crossings: Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Right of Way: Give the right of way to other vehicles or pedestrians as indicated by signs and signals.
- No Parking Zones: Do not park in areas marked as no parking zones.
- Seat Belts: Always wear seat belts while driving or riding in a vehicle.
- Use of Indicators: Use turn signals to indicate your intentions to other drivers.
- Driving Under Influence: Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Mobile Phones: Avoid using mobile phones while driving unless using a hands-free device.
- Lane Discipline: Stay in your lane and do not weave in and out of traffic.
- Overtaking: Overtake other vehicles only when it is safe and allowed.
- School Zones: Drive slowly and with extra caution in school zones.
- Helmet Use: Wear helmets when riding motorcycles or bicycles.
- Horn Use: Use the horn sparingly and only when necessary to alert other drivers.
Following these rules helps ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
Violations of traffic laws are a major cause of air pollution in addition to causing traffic accidents. When drivers disobey traffic restrictions and participate in unpredictable driving behaviors like speeding and frequent lane changes, it results in increased fuel consumption and pollution emissions. Long-term vehicle idling also contributes to the emission of more carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the atmosphere due to traffic congestion, which is sometimes made worse by breaking traffic laws. In order to decrease the detrimental environmental effects of traffic mismanagement, strict traffic enforcement and public education programs are desperately needed. The worsening of air quality has major health implications for both pedestrians and drivers.
