UNDERSTANDING ROAD SIGNS, INDIA
For a returning expat or foreigner, the abject lack of rules on the Indian roads is at most times spine chilling. Lane discipline is non existent and traffic signals become arenas for live Tetris*. Errant overtaking from the left followed by abusive honking and disregard for traffic signals and zebra crossings are quite commonplace here so this article is an attempt at redefining traffic sign interpretation keeping the Indian context in mind.
A WARNING FOR OTHERS TO PLEASE STOP AS I AM IMPORTANT AND COMING THROUGH. USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY A CONTINUOUS HORN AND FLASHING OF HEADLIGHTS. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN WHEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC INTERPRETS THE SIGN IN SIMILAR MANNER. KINDLY ADJUST
PARKING FOR VIP'S, GOONS, THOSE WHO CAN BRIBE. ALSO APPLIES TO THOSE STOPPING TO BUY CHAI, VADA, PAAN, ETC...
NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANS BECAUSE IN INDIA WE TURN TO THE RIGHT. HOWEVER WE SOMETIMES TURN TO THE LEFT TOO, ... THE RIGHT TO TURN ANYWHERE AND IN ANY DIRECTION IS WRITTEN IN THE URBAN CONSTITUTION CAUSING MUCH CONSTERNATION.
MUST KEEP CAR ABOVE 40 KMPH! NO FURTHER EXPLANATION NEEDED.
ONE WAY RULE TO BE VIOLATED AT DRIVERS DISCRETION AND SPEED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BETWEEN 10PM TILL 6 AM. HOWEVER CAN ALSO BE VIOLATED AT OTHER TIMES FOR DROPPING A CHILD AT SCHOOL...BUYING CHAI, VADA, PAAN, ETC... ONE WAY OR ANOTHER ONE MUST REACH THE DESTINATION.
A WARNING FOR OTHERS TO PLEASE STOP AS I AM IMPORTANT AND COMING THROUGH. USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY A CONTINUOUS HORN AND FLASHING OF HEADLIGHTS. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN WHEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC INTERPRETS THE SIGN IN SIMILAR MANNER. KINDLY ADJUST
PARKING FOR VIP'S, GOONS, THOSE WHO CAN BRIBE. ALSO APPLIES TO THOSE STOPPING TO BUY CHAI, VADA, PAAN, ETC...
NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANS BECAUSE IN INDIA WE TURN TO THE RIGHT. HOWEVER WE SOMETIMES TURN TO THE LEFT TOO, ... THE RIGHT TO TURN ANYWHERE AND IN ANY DIRECTION IS WRITTEN IN THE URBAN CONSTITUTION CAUSING MUCH CONSTERNATION.
MUST KEEP CAR ABOVE 40 KMPH! NO FURTHER EXPLANATION NEEDED.
ONE WAY RULE TO BE VIOLATED AT DRIVERS DISCRETION AND SPEED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC BETWEEN 10PM TILL 6 AM. HOWEVER CAN ALSO BE VIOLATED AT OTHER TIMES FOR DROPPING A CHILD AT SCHOOL...BUYING CHAI, VADA, PAAN, ETC... ONE WAY OR ANOTHER ONE MUST REACH THE DESTINATION.
DEATH BY CROSSING. ZEBRA CROSSINGS ARE JUST PRETTY PATTERNS WITH NO PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE OTHER THAN GIVING SOME DAILY WAGE FOR THE DILIGENT TRAFFIC DEPT PAINTERS. YOU CAN CROSS A ROAD ANYWHERE ... YOU CAN KILL A PEDESTRIAN ON A ZEBRA CROSSING ... THE RISK IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH SIDES.
RUN FAST TO AVOID DEATH BY CROSSING. NO FURTHER EXPLANATION NEEDED
DISCIPLINED HILL DRIVERS BEWARE. THESE ARE SPOTS FOR ERRANT DRIVERS TO SPEED UP TO OVERTAKE SLOW MOVING BUSES AND LORRIES. ALSO ACCOMPANIED WITH CONTINUOUS HORN AND FLASHING OF HEADLIGHTS.
RUN FAST TO AVOID DEATH BY CROSSING. NO FURTHER EXPLANATION NEEDED
DISCIPLINED HILL DRIVERS BEWARE. THESE ARE SPOTS FOR ERRANT DRIVERS TO SPEED UP TO OVERTAKE SLOW MOVING BUSES AND LORRIES. ALSO ACCOMPANIED WITH CONTINUOUS HORN AND FLASHING OF HEADLIGHTS.
A SET OF SIGNS USEFUL FOR OBTAINING THE LEARNER'S LICENSE. AFTER THAT USE THE URBAN CONSTITUTION AND GENERAL FEEL.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! SHOULD READ DRIVE AT YOUR OWN RISK...MANAGEMENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF LIFE
* Tetris : For those who don't know what it means follow this link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris
I know these are just a few and would welcome anecdotes in the comments section to add to this thread.
* Tetris : For those who don't know what it means follow this link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris
I know these are just a few and would welcome anecdotes in the comments section to add to this thread.
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