BUS AND TRUCK DRIVERS

Buses and Trucks fall under the category of heavy vehicle. They should be driven on the extreme left, speed governors are mandatory for them and the maximum speed limit for buses and trucks is 40 KMPH. Buses and trucks can never overtake any other vehicle. Bus drivers should drive their buses along the bus lane and should stop the buses inside the bus box that is drawn near the bus stops. Other buses that are coming behind and are destined to stop at this bus stop should stop behind the first bus in a line and wait for their turn. Under no circumstances can the latter bus stand parallel to the former bus or overtake it.

Guidelines for Bus and Truck Drivers regarding towing and loading : You must not tow more than your license permits you to. You must not overload your vehicle or trailer. You should not tow a weight greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. You must secure your load and it must not stick out dangerously. You should properly distribute the weight in your caravan or trailer with heavy items mainly over the axle(s) and ensure a downward load on the tow ball. This should avoid the possibility of swerving or snaking and going out of control. If this does happen, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently to regain control.

  CAR DRIVERS

• Always carry your driving license and important documents such as your vehicle registration certificate, insurance certificate, road tax and P.U.C certificate with you while driving.
• Don’t Drive under the influence of drugs.
• Obey all traffic signals, lights and signs.
• Use the indicator or hand signals when changing lanes.
• Adhere to permitted speed limits.
• Don’t use your cell phone while driving. If you must, move to the left, halt and then make the call.
• Irrespective of right of way, stay alert and be considerate to pedestrians especially senior citizens, handicapped, ladies and children.
• Do not overload your vehicles – be it luggage or passengers.
• Do not use tinted glasses, lenses or visors or anything that restricts vision at night or in poor visibility conditions.
• Do not drink and drive as it adversely affects your judgement and abilities.
• Please ensure that all children under 14 years of age wear seat belts or sit in an approved child restraint.

  MOTOR CYCLIST

The motorized two-wheeler rider is the one most likely to sustain serious injuries no matter what he hits- a pedestrian, a cat or another vehicle. This is because he is traveling at a speed more than 15 kmph without any protection around, and the human body is not able to tolerate forces generated when the head or any other bone hits hard and rigid objects at speed higher than 15 kmph.

• While driving always carry your driving license and important documents such as your vehicle registration certificate, insurance certificate, road tax and P.U.C certificate
• MUST NOT carry more than one pillion rider and he/she MUST sit astride the machine on a proper seat and should keep both feet on the footrests.
• Make yourself as visible as possible from the sides as well as the front and rear. You could wear a white or brightly coloured helmet. Wear fluorescent clothing or strips. Dipped headlights, even in good daylight, may also make you more conspicuous
• Wear reflective clothing or strips to improve your chances of being seen in the dark
• Never Drink and drive
• Follow the traffic signals, lights and signs
• Avoid using the cell phone when driving. If urgent move to left, stop and then take the call
• Do not ride or wheel your vehicle on to the footpath
• Slow down at zebra crossing and if needs be stop
• Don’t sit children on fuel tanks or stand them in front of the rider

  PEDESTRIAN

The most important safety tip to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities is to pay attention.  You can significantly reduce your chances of being in a collision with a motor vehicle by obeying traffic rules.  Make eye contact with drivers if possible and make sure that they can see you.

• Where possible, avoid walking next to the kerb with your back to the traffic. If you have to step into the road, look both ways first
• When it is dark, use reflective materials (e.g. armbands, sashes, waistcoats and jackets), which can be seen, by drivers using headlights, up to three times as far away as non-reflective materials.
• Always walk on the footpath, they are meant for you. Where there is no footpath, walk in the right side margin of the road so that you can see the traffic coming in the opposite direction.
• Cross roads where there are pedestrian crossings / zebra crossing. They have been painted at great cost for your convenience.
• Where there are no pedestrian crossings, watch the traffic on both sides and cross when it is safe.
• Do not come on to the main road while waiting for a bus. Stay on the footpath or at earmarked bus stoppage.
• Where there are barriers, cross the road only at the gaps provided for pedestrians. Do not climb over the barriers or walk between them and the road.
• You MUST NOT get on to or hold on to a moving vehicle

  SCHOOL CHILDREN

Children should be taught the safety code and should not be allowed on the road alone until they can understand and follow it properly. Children learn by example, so parents and teachers should always follow the Code properly when going out with their children. They are responsible for deciding at what age children can use it safely by themselves.

• Always walk on the footpath only. On roads without footpath, walk on the extreme right hand side of the roads.
• Cross only at Zebra crossings, traffic signals, subways, foot over-bridges. Where such facilities do not exist, look for a safe place to cross.
• At the signal lights, cross only on a clear green signal. If an intersection is controlled by a policeman, traffic warden or Civic Police Volunteers, cross only when he signals you to do so.
• When crossing between vehicles parked on the side of the road, remember that you are not visible to the moving traffic (because the parked vehicles may be taller than you). Stop as you appear from behind the vehicle and look for a safe gap before crossing. Remember, drivers need plenty of time to see you and to slow down and stop.
• While crossing wide roads that have central islands, always cross in two stages. Cross to the central Island , stop, and cross when the next section is clear.
• Never cross a road at a corner/curve, as the motorist taking the turn will not be able to see you in time.

  Essentials for a School Bus as ordered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India

• “School Bus” must be written on the back and front of the Bus.
• If it is a hired bus, “On School Duty” should be clearly indicated
• Bus must have a First-Aid-Box
• The windows of Bus must be fitted with horizontal grills
• There must be a Fire Extinguisher in the Bus
• School Name and Telephone No. must be written on the Bus
• The doors of the Bus should be fitted with reliable locks
• To keep School Bags safely, there should be a space fitted under the seats
• here must be an Attendant from the School in the Bus
• Any parent/guardian or a teacher may also travel to ensure these safety norms.

The above mentioned points as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India are mandatory for all school buses.