Written Sunday, 10 March 2013
When Pati and Beebee visited India the first time, they were puzzled by the traffic rules. Perhaps it was Northern India rules that were the problem. Pati and Beebee are now in South India. Simon, the driver assigned to take them on their 5-day tour through Kerara and Tamil Nadu, is a very good driver and obviously understands all the rules of the road. From close observation of Simon's driving, this is Beebee's new understanding of the rules.
Most roads are meant to carry traffic in both directions. Vehicles tend to stay to their left on the roadway.
Sometimes there is a dashed line or solid line(s) in the middle of the roadway. This is merely a suggestion of where the middle of fhe road is; it has nothing to do with where vehicles drive. This is true even when multiple lanes are indicated for both directions.
Each direction of traffic uses up to 110% of the roadway. (This is based on an assumption that the width of the shoulder on each side is approximately 10% of the width of the roadway itself.) Motorcycles frequently drive on the shoulder.
Passing of a slower vehicle is acceptable, provided that the opposing traffic is not occupying all of the space that would be needed for passing (except see above: it can be assumed that an opposing motorcycle will move over onto the shoulder). Passing a vehicle that is itself passing another vehicle is acceptable. (And so by induction...) Today Beebee saw a two-way roadway completely filled with traffic going in one direction.
The procedure for passing another vehicle is to ease to the right to see if anything is coming in the opposite direction; if there isn't (or if there is but there is enough space and/or time), honk at the other vehicle and then pass it, pulling back in front of it immediately.
if there is a fender-bender, stop and work it out with the other driver. Other drivers in the viscinity have the right to stop, get out, and help judge who is at fault. Whatever happens, do not get the police involved: there will be too much paperwork. (Pati and Beebee observed this happening today on a narrow road between Munnar and Madurai.)
Always drive as fast as you can. Beebee has not seen a speed limit sign yet (or possibly just doesn't recognize them when she sees them).
Beebee has not been able to fathom what traffic lights have to do with traffic in India.
Unlike some of Pati's posts, none of this has been made up.
When Pati and Beebee visited India the first time, they were puzzled by the traffic rules. Perhaps it was Northern India rules that were the problem. Pati and Beebee are now in South India. Simon, the driver assigned to take them on their 5-day tour through Kerara and Tamil Nadu, is a very good driver and obviously understands all the rules of the road. From close observation of Simon's driving, this is Beebee's new understanding of the rules.
Most roads are meant to carry traffic in both directions. Vehicles tend to stay to their left on the roadway.
Sometimes there is a dashed line or solid line(s) in the middle of the roadway. This is merely a suggestion of where the middle of fhe road is; it has nothing to do with where vehicles drive. This is true even when multiple lanes are indicated for both directions.
Each direction of traffic uses up to 110% of the roadway. (This is based on an assumption that the width of the shoulder on each side is approximately 10% of the width of the roadway itself.) Motorcycles frequently drive on the shoulder.
Passing of a slower vehicle is acceptable, provided that the opposing traffic is not occupying all of the space that would be needed for passing (except see above: it can be assumed that an opposing motorcycle will move over onto the shoulder). Passing a vehicle that is itself passing another vehicle is acceptable. (And so by induction...) Today Beebee saw a two-way roadway completely filled with traffic going in one direction.
The procedure for passing another vehicle is to ease to the right to see if anything is coming in the opposite direction; if there isn't (or if there is but there is enough space and/or time), honk at the other vehicle and then pass it, pulling back in front of it immediately.
if there is a fender-bender, stop and work it out with the other driver. Other drivers in the viscinity have the right to stop, get out, and help judge who is at fault. Whatever happens, do not get the police involved: there will be too much paperwork. (Pati and Beebee observed this happening today on a narrow road between Munnar and Madurai.)
Always drive as fast as you can. Beebee has not seen a speed limit sign yet (or possibly just doesn't recognize them when she sees them).
Beebee has not been able to fathom what traffic lights have to do with traffic in India.
Unlike some of Pati's posts, none of this has been made up.
Posted with Blogsy
Daylight Saving Time (DST) started today for much of North America.
ReplyDeleteAdjust your timepieces accordingly.