Big cities in India are terribly crowded and motorists can seem abrupt in their way of driving in traffic. There are 2 million vehicles in Delhi alone. The roads themselves also make driving difficult. This article will give you tips for driving in India and getting out of it safe and sound.
Steps
Step 1. In India, as in the UK, driving is on the right
If you are from the United States (or other countries where you drive on the left), this can be confusing at first.
Step 2. Be very careful when driving in any city
India is no exception.
Step 3. Always remain alert
In most Indian cities, although there are lanes, people don't use them and may suddenly cut your way. Animals or children could cross the street. Whenever your foot isn't on the accelerator, it should be ready near the brake.
Step 4. Know that insurance in India has various clauses such as the depreciation charge on metal and plastic
So it is best to read the insurance from start to finish so that you understand it well. Remember that third party complaints are rare in India and in most cases you will need the official police report. Avoid accidents at all costs.
Step 5. Pay attention:
It is not unusual to encounter drunk drivers after 10pm, so if you drive at night pay even more attention. Do not stay attached to the vehicle in front of you if you are driving at speeds above 30km / h. If possible, always avoid it. People can turn without signaling it or without putting the arrow.
Step 6. Remember that on Indian roads you can find all kinds of vehicles such as oxcarts, bicycles, rickshaws, three-wheeled vehicles, cars, SUVs, vans, buses, etc
There are no separate lanes for slower vehicles so be prepared to go slow and use the brakes very often. In India it is difficult to find vehicles with an automatic transmission, so be prepared to use the manual one. If you rent a vehicle with a manual gearbox but are used to an automatic one, make sure the clutch is not too hard, unless you want to do calf training!
Step 7. Be aware that wedding receptions or religious processions are very frequent and can block traffic
In these situations, don't be afraid to take alternative roads, such as dirt roads (if there are any) or cut traffic as others do.
Step 8. When driving into a small town or country town, the roads will be too narrow to have two lanes
Therefore, the vehicles coming from the opposite direction to yours will have to pass on your same path. When a vehicle comes towards you, move to the left so that it only takes up half the road. It is not a problem if the left side of your car stays off the road. The person coming from the opposite direction will do the same thing to his left. After you've passed, get back on track.
Step 9. When driving on major roads, for example in Chennai (the OMR also called IT corridor or the East Cost Road), be careful
Many smaller vehicles are traveling on the wrong side of the road.
Step 10. In many places in India commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, will have symbols indicating "Sound Horn"
This means that if you play, they move slightly so that you can pass by. Play once and politely, if they don't move, just stay behind them. Although they move sideways, check the traffic before passing.
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Before honking, make sure you are not in a quiet area (usually near hospitals), as it is illegal and very annoying for patients.
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Step 11. Remember that in the event of an accident, if the situation gets out of hand, call the police immediately
It will prevent you from being beaten by the people witnessing the accident. In the event of an accident, the people who are on the scene will surely feel involved and, of the two concerned, the one with the smaller vehicle will gain the support of the crowd. Avoid such chaos and try to resolve the matter as soon as possible.
Advice
- When driving, keep all the car-related cards with you such as registration, insurance and driving license.
- Remember that Patience is the watchword for driving in India - your blood will often boil when someone crosses your path, but that's how it works around there.
- Always stay calm and never give in to anger, otherwise you risk getting hurt.
- Always stay away from aggressive drivers if you don't want to be constantly bothered.
- Always make sure the brakes work well.
- Honking is not a bad thing and people do it to express all kinds of feelings or to get animals off the road. Sound the horn without holding back.
- Tires play an important role when you turn or brake, so make sure they are in good condition and don't slip.
- Visit http: / / driving-india.blogspot.com to learn ideal driving techniques.
- Always keep the vehicle in good condition.
- The best way to learn to drive in India is to follow a taxi driver. They have mastered the art of driving to perfection, relying solely on instinct.
- Make sure the horn and lights work, as they act as airbags and ABS on busy streets like Mumbai.
- In India there is a real lane system only in the Chandigarh Territory, on the expressways and national highways. Always try to travel in the middle lane, if you are not in the streets mentioned above, or follow the lane system.
- Always be extra careful when traveling on Indian roads, especially in big cities like Bangalore.
Warnings
- Accidents must be avoided at all costs because the crowd that gathers in these cases could react violently against the perpetrator. Be prepared for the possibility of solving the matter by giving money and / or paying the police who should be called to the scene of the accident.
- You may often see drivers breaking the rules of the road (like going with red). NOT BE tempted to do like them, not only is it very dangerous, but the brigade or the police (especially in Delhi) pay particular attention to those who violate the law. In addition, some traffic lights are equipped with a video camera to identify who passes in red.
- Motorists sometimes honk continuously while driving. It is not uncommon for rickshaw drivers to throw themselves into a brave race with vehicles coming in from the opposite direction as they honk, just change direction to avoid a head-on. For this reason alone, left-hand driving is better in India for local motorists who are used to these driving conditions.
- Use your instincts more than anything else. Before making any movement with a vehicle, check the area. If you go green don't assume that nobody goes by, check. Traffic is not regulated at all in India and many go around completely oblivious to the rules. Always pay close attention.
- Do not blindly follow the person in front of you, as you may be breaking the rules of the road with them.
- Some traffic lights don't work after a certain time. Therefore, be careful when you pass an intersection.
- Always look both ways when turning, it's not unusual to find drivers who are on the wrong side of the road.
