Knowing about these road signs can save your life in India
Knowing about these road signs can save your life in India
The maxim ‘ignorantia juris non-excusat’ or ‘ignorance of the law is not an excuse’ holds true in almost all walks of life. And when you are driving on Indian roads or anywhere else for that matter, being aware of road and safety signs is a must. Remember that your ignorance or negligence can not only affect you, but also another person who might know and follow the law. In short, knowing and understanding some vital road signs will keep you as well as others around you safe.
Apart from that, you must avail online insurance for bike or car, which can come in handy if an accident does occur.Insurance can take care of out-of-pocket expenses, hassles, and give you peace of mindin case of an unforeseen event.
Now, let’s look at the different types of road signs you might come across – some you must follow,while some are purely informational.
Types of road signs
1. Mandatory signs
As the name suggests, these signs are legally binding, and their violation can attract a fine. These are the signs that you must look out for, as the consequences of not following them can be grave. Because they are legally binding, they are also the most likely to keep you and those around you safe, ensuring smooth traffic movement and pedestrian safety. Some of the signs in this category include –Stop, Give Way, Speed Limit, No Entry, One-Way Only, No Parking, School Ahead, No Horn, Pedestrian Crossing, Barrier Ahead, No Stopping or Standing, etc.
2. Cautionary signs
These signs generally point to potentially dangerous or challenging hazardsahead, bracing you for corrective measures. Sometimes that issue may exist, whereas sometimes you may not face that problem – either way, it is meant to make you cautious just in case. These are generally hazardous situations that are left to the driver’s common sense to tackle as opposed to it being legally binding.
Common cautionary signs include Right Hand Curve, Left Hand Curve, Hair Pin Bend, Reverse Bend, Loose Gravel, Slippery Road, Steep Descent, Narrow Bridge Ahead, Narrow Road Ahead, Cycle Crossing, Men At Work, Falling Rocks, Animal Crossing, etc.
3. Informatory signs
These signs refer to crucial information that drivers need along their journey such as the distance to the next fuel station, a hospital, public convenience, toilet, etc. Eating Place, First Aid Post, Resting Place, Thorough Road, Thorough Side Road, Parking Lot, etc., are some of the informatory signs.
Now, check out the signs you must be familiar with:
- Speed Limit
A sign that has a number written in black and circled in red indicates the speed limit. While most drivers might complain about the strictness of the speed limit, it is derived after careful consideration of the average traffic on that road, the type of vehicles that ply on the road, the number of passengers, the condition of the road, etc. Moreover, the high accident rates on Indian roads further strengthens the police’s case on enforcing said speed limit. Therefore, obey the speed limit to keep yourself and other drivers on the road safe, while also avoiding a fine.
- Give Way
Everybody seems to be in a hurry when they are driving. This can often result in accidents when two cars coming close from opposite directions do not slow down while passing each other, forcing one off the track, or making the person who blinks first, aggressively brake to avoid a collision. The Give Way sign forces one to slow down and give way to the other vehicle due to road conditions. It puts the onus on vehicles coming from a specified direction to slow down and give way, reducing the likelihood of collisions. It is denoted by a hollow, upside-down, red triangle.
- Hospital
Usually unmissable, the sign with a bed and a red cross can be lifesaving. Usually, such zones are horn-free, so be mindful when passing through them. Also, if you do need a hospital, there’s a high chance you may miss it due to the frenzied state your mind would be in, at that moment. Which is why, it makes sense to look out for the sign even when you don’t need a hospital to acclimatise your mind to it.
All in all, while it makes sense to familiarise yourself with all the road signs, the above three are vital. Accidents can happen to you even if you’re driving perfectly safely. And the best way to avoid it is to have everybody follow the rules. The least you can do is do your part and hope for the best. Worst-case scenario, your least online insurance for bike or car will be there to alleviate some of the financial burden.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
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