Important Guidelines To Drivers

An analysis of road accidents in Meghalaya for the year 1985, 1986 and 1987 indicate the following:

-		1985	1986	1987
1.	Total number of Road accidents	389	319	275
2.	Total number of fatal accidents	89	93	82
3.	Total number of accidents involving grievous hurt to persons	88	64	58
4.	Total number of minor injury accidents	70	118	91
5.	Total number of non-injury accidents	142	44	43
6.	Total number of persons killed	99	120	105
7.	Total number of persons who received grievous injuries	167	154	175
8.	Total number of persons who received minor injuries	252	212	202

Causes of Accident

Some major causes of accidents have been identified as the following:-

• Bad driving habits.
• Driving under the influence of intoxicants.
• Mechanical defects in the vehicle.
• Bad roads.
• Irresponsible pedestrians traffic.
• Unrestricted movement of animals on the road.
• Un-coordinated digging of roads by the different agencies and public.
• Encroachments.
• Violation of Traffic rules.

Important Guidelines To Drivers

Before driving make sure that :

• Your vehicle is "Registered".
• Registration number is displayed prominently in the front and the rear, in the prescribed manner.
• It is insured to cover liability in respect of any third party risk.
• The vehicle is in Road-worthy condition. Please check the tyres, lights, reflectors, brakes, steering, fan-belt, battery, horn, silencer, speedometer, water in the radiator, fuel and other lubricants etc. Adjust the mirror properly to have a clear view of all sides.
• You are not under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
• You have a valid driving license for the type of vehicle you are driving.
• You are physically and mentally fit to drive.
• No unauthorized person has boarded your vehicle and the number of people who have boarded the vehicle is per the rules and regulations governing the use of that type of vehicle.
• Your vehicle is not being used for any unlawful purposes and nothing is being carried in the vehicle which is not permitted by law.
• The vehicle is not overloaded.
• You have a good knowledge of the road conditions and the traffic regulations of the areas through which you are to drive.
• There is nothing close to you which may distract your attention while driving.
• You have a safety helmet, if you are driving a scooter or a motor cycle.
• You are not using tinted materials of any kind for windows and windscreen since it diminishes your vision.
• You are carrying a first -aid box and fire extinguisher if it is a public service vehicle.

Wait! Have You Checked Your Tyre Pressure?

Insufficient attention to the pressure of the tyres contributes greatly to excess wear of tyres, skidding on wet roads, difficult steering operation and general driving discomfort. Improper inflation of tyres can cause the following problems:-insufficient attention to the pressure of the tyres contributes greatly to excess wear of tyres, skidding on wet roads, difficult steering operation and general driving discomfort. Improper inflation of tyres can cause the following problems:-

1. Low pressure Causes:

• the edges of wear down very quickly;
• steering difficulty;
• excessive build up of heat which tends to destroy the rubber compound of the tyres.

2. High Pressure Causes:

• excess wear in the tyre-centre, shortening the life of the tyres;
• makes steering easier, mainly because there is less rubber on the road, but causes the vehicle to skid on turns and stops;
• causes a much rougher ride, even on relatively smooth roads.

Maintain proper inflation of all the tyres and keep the spare tyre ready for emergency.

Drive With Patience, Care And Courtesy

• Be a good driver and not a fast one.
• A good driver drives on his engine, not on his brakes.
• Avoid distractions while driving. Don't try to 'sight-eye' while you are behind the wheel. Always remain alert. Avoid talking while driving.
• Keep your eyes open for the unexpected. Make sure that you always have an escape-route-some place to go to in case of an emergency.
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Keep well to the left unless you are about to overtake or turn to the right.
• Pass other vehicles with extreme care. Check frequently behind you through the rear view mirror.
• Be careful while passing stationary vehicles for pedestrians may suddenly appear from behind them.
• Go slow while passing children, old people, handicapped persons and animals.
• Look out for pedestrian crossings, and for people who are mounting or dismounting from other vehicles. Slow down or stop near pedestrian crossings and give way to the pedestrians.
• Do not drive in a spirit of competition. The more haste, the less safety.
• Do not exceed the speed limit.
• Do not exceed the permissible weight limit.
• Do not be over-confident while driving. It can lead to taking undue risks on the road.
• Observe 'one way streets'.
• Use caution when crossing road junctions and give way to faster moving vehicle.
• Refrain from stopping suddenly except in an unavoidable emergency.
• Before stopping the vehicle, take the proper side by giving the proper signal to other vehicles. When you stop, park the vehicle on your left hand side, stop the vehicle engine before leaving the vehicle and switch off your head lights at night but leave your side and tail lights on.
• Before opening the door, make sure that you will not endanger or cause inconvenience to any one on the road or pavements.
• Park your vehicle only at places where parking is allowed. Before leaving, ensure that you have taken out the keys and that no valuable property is left in the vehicle. Lock the vehicle properly.
• Park the vehicle in such a way that it cannot move on its own, causing an accident. Take extra care if the vehicle is parked on slopes. Use hand brakes etc. to keep the vehicle stationary.
• Do not overtake a vehicle traveling in the same direction if it is likely to cause inconvenience and danger to other traffic, and if there are obstructions of any kind that renders the road ahead not clearly visible.
• Do not let your passengers or your luggage obstruct your view.
• Slow down your vehicle and take care of speed while driving in foggy weather conditions.
• Look out for pedestrians crossing the road.

Overtaking

• Do not try to overtake unless it is very necessary for you to do so.
• Do not overtake on narrow roads at a bridge and at places where overtaking is prohibited.
• Never overtake unless you are sure that you can do so without endangering yourself or any-one else.
• Allow other vehicles to pass or overtake you, when they desire to, as and when the road and traffic conditions permit you to do so. Unnecessary racing for fun should be avoided.
• Never accelerate when being overtaken.
• Overtake only on the right, unless the driver in front of you has signaled that he is turning right.
• Do not overtake when you cannot see the road ahead, at a corner or a cross-road or around a bend.
• Beware of "Go Ahead" signals given by persons other than the driver.
• Overtake only when there is no on-coming vehicle and when sufficient space lies ahead.
• Overtaking during night is more dangerous, take more care.

Signals, Signs and Lights

• Keep sharp look out for traffic signs, signals and road markings.
• Be careful at cross-roads.
• Where the traffic is regulated with the help of lights, stop where the light is 'red', get ready to move it is 'yellow' and move when it is 'green'. In other senses, follow the hand-signals of the Traffic Policeman.
• When you stop, stop only at the places meant for parking.
• Use signal lights when you wish to turn.
• Use the dipper at night.
• See that your lights are in good condition and are properly adjusted. Do not use more lights than you need, but maintain proper illumination for smooth travel on roads.
• There are three types of traffic signs: -
  • Mandatory signs : Failure to follow them is punishable
  • Cautionary signs : Failure to follow them is risky
  • Informatory signs : Failure to follow them may cause inconvenience.Follow them carefully.
• When you are about to turn to the right or are driving to the right hand side of the road I order to pass another vehicle, or for any other similar purpose, extend your right arm horizontally, out-side and to the right of your vehicle, with the palm of the hand turned to the front.
• In case you are turning to the left, extend your right arm and rotate it in an anti-clock wise direction.
• While slowing down, extend your right arm with the palm downward to the right of the vehicle and move the arm so extended, up and down several times, in such a manner that the signal can be seen by the driver of any vehicle which may be behind you. Do not forget to look at the mirror (rear view) well before slowing down.
• When about to stop, raise your right forearm vertically outside and to the right of the vehicle keeping your palm facing the front.
• When you wish to indicate to the driver of the vehicle following your vehicle, that he may overtake you, extend your right arm horizontally outside and to the right of the vehicle and swing the arm backward and forward in a semi-circular manner.
• Do not forget to use your mirror and look around and give correct signals before moving your vehicle.
• Drive the vehicle in conformity with any indication given by a mandatory traffic sign and in conformity with driving regulations and comply with all directions given to you by any police officer.
• Stop the vehicle when any police officer in uniform or any officer of the Enforcement side of Transport Department give you signal to stop and produce all the documents on demand for examination.

Please ensure that you are not suffering from

• Tiredness or any sickness, (stop when you feel sleepy while driving and rest for some hours).
• Epilepsy; or
• Heart disease likely to produce sudden attacks of giddiness or fainting; or
• You are unable to distinguish with each eye or in case you hold a license to drive a motor vehicle for a period of not less than five years and have loss sight of one eye, after the said period of five years and have applied for a license to drive a light motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle, you are unable to distinguish with one eye, at a distance of 25 (twenty five metres) in good day light (with the aid of glasses if worn) a series of seven letters and figures in white on a black ground of the same size and arrangement as those of the registration mark of a motor car.
• A degree of deafness which prevents you from hearing in case you have applied for a license to drive a light motor vehicle, with or without hearing aids ordinary sound signals.
• Inability to distinguish the pigmentary colours - Red and Green, easily.
• Night blindness: This disease absolutely disqualifies a person from obtaining a license to drive a motor vehicle.
• Leprosy: This absolutely disqualifies a person from obtaining a license to drive a public service vehicle.

Do Not Commit Following Offences

Do not commit the following offences, otherwise an endorsement shall be made on your License besides other legal actions which may be taken against you.

Part A:

• Diving recklessly or dangerously.
• Driving while under the influence of drinks or drugs.
• Taking part in an unauthorised race or trial of speed.
• Driving when disqualified.
• Obtaining or applying for a license without giving particulars for endorsement.
• Failing to stop on the occurrence of an accident.
• Altering a license or using an illegally altered license.
• Any office punishable with imprisonment in the commission of which the vehicle was used.

Part B:

• Driving without a license, or without a valid license or with a license not applicable to the vehicle driven.
• Allowing your license to be used by another person.
• Driving at excessive speed.
• Driving when mentally or physically unfit to drive.
• Refusing or failing to produce your license within the specified time, to the authority demanding its production.
• Failing to stop when required.
• Driving an unregistered vehicle.
• Driving a vehicle exceeding the permissible limit of weight.
• Driving a transport vehicle not covered by a certificate of fitness.
• Using a vehicle which is in an unsafe condition.

Accidents

In case the motor vehicle collides with any person, animal or with any other vehicle or damages any property the driver of the involved vehicle (s), whether responsible for the accident or not, should take the following actions:-

• The vehicle (s) should be stopped at the place of occurrence of the accident only.
• If the victim gives his name and address, the driver (s) of the vehicle (s) should also give the name and address of the owner of the vehicle and that of himself.
• All possible help should be provided to the victim and if possible and necessary he/she should be taken to the nearest hospital promptly.
• The nearest Police Station should be informed about the occurrence of the accident, immediately. The vehicle (s) should not be removed till police takes action and allows you to do so.
• All information and other necessary facts relating t the vehicle and the accident should be furnished to the police.
• Necessary steps should be taken by the driver to avoid the accidents and in case it becomes inevitable, to minimise the risk and damage.

Some Duties Of Drivers/Owners Of Motor Vehicles

• Duty to obey traffic signs.
• Duty to produce license and certificate of registration when demanded by a Police Officer in uniform or any other authority.
• Duty to stop in certain cases.
• The driver should stop and remain stationary as long as reasonably be necessary:
  • When required to do so by any Police Officer in uniform, or
  • When required to do so by any person in-charge of the animal if such a person apprehends that the animal is being alarmed by the vehicle and will become unmanageable, or
  • When the vehicle is involved in any accident.
• Duty of owner of a Motor Vehicle to give information.

When You Pay Road Tax

• Road tax shall be payable in advance in respect of every motor vehicle on or before the fifteenth of April each year. The owner of a motor vehicle shall have the option of paying the tax in four quarterly installments payable on or before the fifteenth of April, July, October and January.
• When a person fails to pay an installment of tax within fifteenth of April, July, October and January each year, he shall be liable to pay in addition to arrears of taxes, penalty as prescribed.
• In case of default of payment of road taxes, the arrears of taxes will be recoverable as arrears to Land revenue.

Technical Safeguards

• Drive at a steady speed. Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not race the engine when waiting at traffic. Switch off, whenever waiting for over a minute.
• Do not use choke any more then is required.
• Do not ride on clutch pedal.
• Anticipate stops and bends. Slow down well in advance, reduce the speed of the engine and do not use sudden application of brakes.
• Remain in low gears for minimum time. Change to higher gear as soon as possible.
• Park the car in such a way that you will not require to drive out in reverse gear.
• Do not carry excessive luggage on roof when traveling in speed on highway.
• On highways limit your cruising speed to between 40-50 KMPH.

Engine

Have your engine tuned regularly and ensure that :

• Spark plugs are in good condition and gaps are correct.
• Distributor contact breaker and condenser are in good condition and point gap is O.K.
• Ignition timing is properly adjusted. The vacuum advance is operating.
• Air cleaner is clean and filled with oil to the correct level.
• Valve lash is properly adjusted.
• Carburetor is clean and properly adjusted, mixture is not to rich.
• Idling speed is correctly adjusted.
• Leaks past pistons, rings, valves, valve seats, guides and joints are eliminated, and cylinder compassion pressure is correct.
• Clutch pedal free play is to recommend measurement.
• The battery is in good condition.
• Exhaust passage is not restricted or leaking.

Fuel Tank And Lines

• Check all fuel line connections and prevent loss of fuel due to leakage and evaporation. If your car smells of petrol, stop and find the leakage or check carburetor for any overflow.
• Never fill the fuel tank right to the filler cap.
• Use a fine strainer to filter the petrol while filling the tank.
• Get the tank cleaned periodically. Open the drain plug and flush out.
• Have the fuel pump checked for correct pressure, once in 3 months.

Brakes, Tyres, Radiator, Service

Brakes

• Ensure brakes do not drag.
• Have breaks adjusted as often as recommended.

Tyres

• Maintain correct tyre pressure. Get it checked every week.
• Do not drive your car with under inflated or over-inflated tyres.
• Have the wheel alignment checked once a month.

Radiator

• Keep radiator and cylinder block water jackets clean and in good condition.
• Avoid over-heating as well as over-cooling the engine.
• Ensure correct fan belt tension.
• Check condition of pressure cap? replace if necessary.

Service

• Get your car serviced regularly. Attention to grease nipples can save cost of repair on suspension and gives easy ride.
• Use only recommended lubricants for engine, gear box and rear axle, propeller shaft, wheel bearings.

Finally

• Plan your journeys in advance. Let us Rush there slowly.
• Do not overload the car.
• Where alternative routes are available, avoid bad, congested and longer routes.

Attention Pedestrians

• Use Footpaths wherever it is provided.
• Where footpath are not provided separately, walk on the right side of the road facing the on-coming traffic.
• Do not allow children below 7 years to walk alone on the road.
• Do not step on the road without ensuring that it is safe to do so.
• Do not loiter or play in the road.
• Be careful at blind corners.
• Do not step out from behind a stationary vehicle or slow moving bus without making sure that the road is clear.
• Find a safe place to cross the road.
• Do not try to cross between parked vehicles. If you have to cross between parked vehicles, stop where you can be seen and are able to look out for traffic.
• Look al round and listen for traffic before crossing the road.
• Make sure which way the traffic is moving.
• Do not step on to the road if you see or hear any emergency vehicle i.e., police vans, fire brigade, ambulance etc.
• Never get on or off a bus unless it is standing at a bus stop.
• Signal the bus to stop and do not board the bus until it has come to a complete standstill.
• Do not cross from behind or in front of a bus without looking properly.
• Enter or alight from a bus only from the door provided for entrance or exit.
• Do not hang on to a bus by holding any external or internal appendage.
• Never jump on or off a moving bus.