Good Motoring
Vantage points not for parking
H. Kishie Singh

THERE was a statement by the Chandigarh Police that parking at vantage points would be restricted. Sad to say, most drivers do not know what a vantage point is. It is the apex of a corner and it is painted black and white, which means no parking. Did you know that? A black and white curb stone means no parking, whether on a corner or on the highway. On NH-1 also, parts of the road curbs are painted black and white, which means no parking.

Owners of cycle rickshaws, three-wheeler autos and taxis know the value of vantage points. They are in the business of looking for clients from such points. The vantage points are one of the most dangerous places to park. According to international rules, there can be no parking within 10 metres of the apex. Reason? If someone has foolishly parked at or close to the apex, it could lead to a collision.

Ten metres is considered safe to take evasive action. Other than rickshaw owners and auto drivers, who park their vehicles at vantage points, people’s favourite spots for talking on their cellphones are also these places. Drivers of trucks and buses do not slow down their vehicles while crossing these vantage points on the main road. The result? Accident with the wrongly parked cars or their owners.

Slip roads are narrower than the main roads. Slip roads are not safe places to park. The safest place to park is on a long straight stretch of road where your vehicle can be seen from a distance.

At night time please put on your vehicle’s flashers. Remember an important aspect of driving. Hazard flashers are to be used only when a car is stationary. In Himachal, at the slightest hint of rain or fog, all the drivers put on their hazard flashers while on the move. It is extremely distracting, dangerous and irritating to follow a blinking car. Yet another dangerous misuse of indicators on Indian roads.

Let’s look at this logically and intelligently. Your car has indicators for left turn and right turn. I think we can all agree on that. All four or six blinkers in some cases come on blinking when the hazard button is activated. When you activate the left-hand indicator, it means you are going to turn left, or to change into the left-hand lane.

Right-hand indicator means a right turn, or a move into the right lane. It does not mean you are planning to overtake. A left indicator blinking could mean ‘I am sticking to the left lane, so overtake from the right’. Nowhere in the world does the right-hand indicator mean ‘overtake’. It would be suicidal to overtake because the car in front could turn right. It means ‘I am turning right.’ So stay behind, and if necessary, overtake from the left. This would be one of the few instances where overtaking on the left is permitted.

These are some of the most important aspects of safe driving and survival on the road. Observe them.

Happy motoring.