Beginners guide to driving ( in India)

“The bigger-The mightier” used to be the rules in traffic… But there is a new rule in town-the smaller the vehicle, the less traffic rule you follow – signals (well isn’t that applicable only for bigger vehicles?), lanes (is there lanes that needs to be followed?), vehicle indicators (that’s only an accessory), footpath (that’s meant for any vehicle which can get on to it), Parking (if there is 1 inch space you can get a minibus into it, irrespective of the fact that the rest 90% is protruding into the road) & Rain (most dangerous of all - people just lose their common sense and don’t obey any rule). So that’s what the traffic has come to. For the city that never sleeps, people have started making their own rules.

Took my parents for a spin around the city and they had nerve wracking experience of the traffic, rules people make and err well my driving too. My dad quotes “Mumbai people was once considered to be having the best traffic sense and rules in the entire nation, if anyone erred, they would just let the BUSY guy go”.. No more, those days are done! Now everyone is in a hurry. It’s even hard to find good driving these days – and even if you do good driving – you end up being one of them soon.

These days it has become very difficult getting behind those wheels. I had my share of crashes and accidents in Mumbai and luckily managed to survive a major one too. But nevertheless 1 year down the line I am back to square one – the same aggression and cold heartedness while driving. Well that doesn’t mean I am a mean person on the road – “mostly” follow the rules, and have respects the elderly (stops my vehicle for them to cross – just remind me of my people back home) but I lose temper when a ‘too smart’ driver starts making his own rules. In the mornings, I usually let it go, unless they really cracks my nerve, while in the evening it’s payback time J.

Rules of engagement (yup got the word right only, it’s more of engaging in a war out there) with:

-          Some notable points with Bikers

·         For the biker, there are no rules. Use your sound judgment when he may or may not take a turn

·         If a biker is beside your vehicle it means he will cut just right in front of you, either from the left or the right

·         If a biker takes things into his hands, that is because of point # 1. But if you do the same, be ready for an outright road rash.

-          Some notable points with Rickshaws (this is condensed list)

·         If he puts one leg to the right – there are chances he might turn to the right at any point of time in the next 20 kms, vice versa for left leg. So watch out for the legs.

·         If he nods his head up and down-now this requires some careful consideration and watching him closely. If he is coming straight in front of you ,it means he will take “U” turn right in front of you. If he is beside you, he wants you to stop, so that he can overtake you.

·         If he is driving slowly, there are chances he might stop right in the middle of the road at any time without a signal - he is just hunting for passengers or might have found one of his acquaintances for a quick chat.

·         If he hits your vehicle – it just means you were wrong and he doesn’t have any money to pay you. If you hit his vehicle – you are wrong again and you need pay him compensation.

·         If he is coming from the opposite side towards you, you are on the wrong lane. You need to make way for him.

-          Some points for any other vehicle

·         Driving in both the lanes – it’s just risk mitigation. If one lane gets blocked ypu can jump to the other one.

·         Turning without indicators-the more experienced you feel, less likely you are to put indicators.

·         The premium the vehicle, the more laws you can break – you can park just under no parking board, you can even park right on at turns and even manage to take turns where it is prohibited.

-          Now if a woman driver is behind the wheels (of course these aren’t my observations, but I am forced by mightier forces to include ;) ).The war goes tougher with egos (irrespective of the opposite party being on bike, rickshaw or any kind of vehicle) flying through the roof and condescending suggestions to watch where you are going.

So the question arises why there is so much of confusion on the road, why is it not regulated? Or is it just about appreciating the people who do good driving? Or do we need stricter punishment for errant drivers?. No definitive answers, but it starts with us as responsible drivers.


P.S.:There are three absolute must-haves for driving in India-Good Horns,Good Brakes and Good Luck!