The Tribune - Windows - Good Motoring

Lane driving; sane driving
H. Kishie Singh

THERE was massive confusion at the Dera Bassi toll booth the other morning. A truck came from the wrong direction and was nose to nose with another truck. A dozen or more cars lined up behind the truck. Every minute saw another car come off the flyover and the jam increased. It took the authorities over 20 minutes to bring the traffic back to normal.

The erring truck had to reverse and was made to go back. The truck driver stood and argued with the men in uniform. He was convinced; he was not doing anything wrong.

This truck driver needs to be educated about safety, safe driving and road rules.

The trucker is just one example. Every day I see expensive cars with well-dressed people at the wheel ignoring road rules. It is a common sight on Madhya Marg where just about every car is in the wrong lane. You have cars overtaking you from the right and cutting across your path to take the slip road on the left. Utter foolishness. These drivers should slow down, move into the left-hand lane before slipping off Madhya Marg. Got it? That’s what a slip road is for!

Tips

Intertoll India Consultants Private Ltd, which mans the Dera Bassi toll booth, has offered the following driving tips:

a. The extreme right lane has been designated for high-speed traffic and overtaking, also meant to be used by emergency moving traffic like ambulance, police and fire tenders. (means you should not stick to this lane. Overtake and move into the left hand lane. Yes! In India we drive on the left.)

b. The lane on the extreme left is meant for heavy vehicles and slow-moving traffic.

c. The lanes adjacent to extreme right lane are normal speed lanes. (This applies to three-lane traffic. On a two-lane highway, keep to the left.)

d. Please indicate when changing lanes on the road. (This needs clarification. Indian drivers misuse indicators.)

e. When approaching the toll plaza, please choose your lane in advance to avoid confusion and inconvenience.

(This means discipline!)

Check the accompanying illustration. On Madhya Marg, the right-hand lane should be for right turns, the centre lane cars should go straight, the driver who takes the slip road is out of the main stream of traffic. If everyone follows this simple rule, traffic will flow smoother and safer.

Also note in the illustration, the stop line and pedestrian crossing. You are required to stop behind the stop line, leaving the crossing free for pedestrians. Do not stop on the pedestrian crossing. It is a challanable offence.

When at stop, stand still, no crawling i.e. inching up for a quick take off. Make sure the car is in neutral and the hand brake is on or the foot is on the foot brake.

Our roads may have changed drastically in the last few years, but our driving habits have not. The first thing we have to learn is discipline. Sticking to our lane is the first step. Don’t drive in a zigzag manner.By following this rule on the highway, you will make driving smoother and safer.

Happy motoring!