It took me a couple of weeks, but I think I finally nailed them down. Here are the traffic rules if you are driving in India (oh yeah, there are rules):
- Drive as if no one has mirrors
- Anything that moves, belongs. And everyone is equal. No discrimination:
Auto rickshaws (now these are more equal than the others)
Motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, pedestrians
Cars, buses, trucks
Bullock carts, hand carts, tangas (RTA approved), bicycle rickshaws
- Everyone has a right of way. Here is everyone:
Auto rickshaws
people* who are just joining the traffic
people who are going across at intersections
people making U-turns
people going against the traffic
people stopping in the middle of the road just for the heck of it
people trying to overtake (some successfully and others, not so much)
* people includes everyone listed in #2 and if luck would have it, some stray animals
- Pedestrians may behave as traffic police and stop you with the use of hand signals
- If there is space, it will be taken. You may think that there isn’t enough room for your hatchback, but don’t be surprised if a bus is trying to squeeze into the same space
- Even if you have a red-light, use common sense – if no one's coming from the other side, don’t wait for the light to change, like an idiot. If you can go, go!
Conversely, just because you have green doesn’t mean you can go through the intersection as if you own it. There might be cross traffic, so, slow down.
- If you forget any or all of rules #1 to #6, it’s okay. Just remember #8.
- Don’t be shy, use the horn like your life depends on it (because it does)
- Last Rule (or first): Pray to God
Honk, Goddamnit, Honk!
- This is more of an observation than a rule: if you are an atheist, God help you!
No comments:
Post a Comment