Road Safety

In wake of the Indore school bus accident which claimed lives of 7 people that included 5 children. To increase awareness among people, here is a guide on traffic rules which can help save lives. Feel free to share this among friends and family.
1. Turn Indicator
Always use the indicators before making a turn or stopping abruptly. This informs the person behind you and prevents sudden braking. Also, it is a good practice to reduce the speed of your vehicle when approaching a turn. In case there is oncoming traffic in your path, it’s better to wait for them to pass before moving ahead.
2. Look before you leap
Whether you are a pedestrian or driving a vehicle, always look both sides of the road before crossing. When in doubt, stop, no need to run. Waiting a few seconds won’t hurt but getting hit by a vehicle will.
3. Maintenance 
Do not procrastinate when it comes to vehicle’s routine maintenance, even the smallest problem can lead to hazardous situations. This includes engine oil, spark plugs, electronic components, wires, windshield and more.
4. Tyre pressure 
Maintain optimal tyre pressure, get it checked at least once a week. This improves fuel efficiency by up to 20%.
The correct pressure is usually found on a label on all vehicles. In case of cars, the sticker is located on the closing side of the driver’s door. In two wheelers, it is usually located in the vicinity of where you rest your feet.
In case of over-inflated tyres, the grip of the vehicle decreases, making it harder to control in emergency situations. It will also make your tyres wear out unevenly and you will have to replace them sooner.
In case of under-inflated tyres, your drive will always feel dragged rather than smooth. It will also reduce your fuel efficiency.
5. De-acceleration 
A better way to stop your vehicle is to gradually reduce the speed. In case you are approaching a traffic signal, you can release your foot/hand off the accelerator and let the vehicle come naturally at a halt. This will also result in better fuel economy. It also reduces the wear and tear of your braking system, prolonging their working life.
6. Maintain distance 
When driving, try to keep at least a car’s worth distance between yourself and the person in front of you. In case the person ahead is driving at higher speed, keep more distance between them and yourself. In case of sudden braking, you will have time to react and bring your vehicle to a halt, essentially saving you.
7. Be patient 
In case you see a person or a vehicle approaching, be mindful of the distance, if you are unsure then it’s better to wait. If a person is crossing a road and you are confident that they will be gone by the time you reach the spot, do to increase your speed, instead take your foot off the accelerator to be on the safer side.
8. Speed 
Obey speed limits within your city, they are displayed for a reason. Keep an eye out for road signs which can signal a population dense area or diversion. When driving on a highway, be mindful that over certain speeds (100-120 for most vehicles), they become substantially harder to control. Rather than trying to save a few minutes, drive within safe speed limits and save your life. Leave a few minutes early to avoid the hassle altogether.
9. Use of mobile phones 
Do not text or make calls while driving. We don’t care how careful you are, it serves to distract you from the road. Instead, park your vehicle and attend to the call or call them back once you reach your destination. Letting the other person wait a few minutes is better than causing an accident due to your ignorance.
10. Seat Belt and Helmet
People tend to get irritated when they have to pay a fine for not wearing seatbelt and helmet. What they fail to realise is that is for their own safety.