Introduction
If there were no traffic rules you could see that there would be a dozen cars lying on the road without being able to move or even go past each other. This would have been a big problem especially if there were large vehicles on the road. Hence, to keep an order that gives efficiency on the road, it is necessary to use the traffic rules. These traffic rules also keep us safe while crossing the roads or even while driving. These rules that are designed must also be compatible with the individual rights of road users without any due infringement.
Each year thousands of people lost their lives on roads due to someone not being too careful with the traffic rules. For some, traffic rules are a waste of time, and they don’t even follow them. However, a lot of times, these traffic rules are the only string holding humans from a tragic accident. Today, we will talk about how traffic rules are important, why they need to be followed, and various traffic rules for different vehicles. This essay on traffic rules, written down below, can be used by students from all classes to get insights into traffic rules and how they affect our road safety.
Traffic Rules Essay in English
What are traffic rules? Well, traffic rules are the particular set of rules developed by the country’s government, and it needs to be followed on every road of that country. In most cases, the traffic rules remain the same when you move from one country to another. Some countries have harsh punishments when an individual breaks the rule. At the same time, others prefer to collect fines from the individual. In both cases, we learn one thing: not to break traffic rules in any case.
There are several traffic rules that a driver needs to keep in mind when driving. Some of the most common are the traffic light rules, traffic police hand signals, overtaking rules, and driving traffic rules. In this traffic rules essay, we will discuss each of them individually and help students distinguish how each one is different from the other. This essay on traffic rules is beneficial for students, but even parents can read this one out to update their knowledge of traffic rules and regulations.
Key Points to Remember for the Essay on Traffic Rules for Students and Children
Given below are the key points one needs to remember about the traffic rules and should follow them no matter what type of vehicle they are driving or riding.
The general rule of keeping left: When you are driving on a road which is a two-way road, you need to allow the traffic from the opposite direction to pass from your right side. Similarly, all vehicles can be allowed to overtake from your right-hand side on a one-way road.
When you turn: When you are taking a turn, always keep to your turning side, meaning when turning right, get to the right side of the road and do the same when turning to the left.
Do not park: Surely, you want to park your vehicle as fast as you can, but that doesn’t mean you leave your car on the side of the road. Find the parking near your building and park it there. If parking is not available, make sure you are not parking near the bus stand, school, or hospital entrance.
Do not drive: When you are going on a one-way road, do not drive on the wrong side. You cannot reverse your vehicle on the wrong side on a one way road.
Use indicators: When you are changing lanes, overtaking the other car, or taking a turn, always use turn signals or indicators to make fellow drivers know about your manoeuvre.
Do not cross the stop line: At the traffic signal, when you get to stop your vehicle due to a red signal, make sure you are not keeping your car on the stop line or on the pedestrian crossing.
Key Rules of Traffic Rules of Safety
On mountains and steep roads: When a driver is going uphill, other vehicles need to give the right of way downhill. If the roads are not wide enough for two cars to go at the same time, the one who is coming downhill needs to stop on the side and let other vehicles that are going uphill go in the first place.
Have one pillion rider: On two -wheelers, you must have only one pillion rider accompanying you on your journey. Also, you need to carry the ride on the back of your seat. Parents should not make their children stand or sit in front of them on two -wheelers like scooters.
Don’t ride in Zig-zag: We know speed gives you a thrill, but that doesn’t mean a driver has no restriction on going zig-zag on the road. It is one of the most common causes of accidents in which motor riders lose their life.
Hemelt and seatbelts: Before you get to start your engine, you need to wear a helmet if you are on a two -wheeler and a seatbelt if driving a four -wheeler.
These are some of the essential traffic rules that everyone should know beforehand when driving for the first time. Traffic rules are as important as the roads on which we drive our vehicles. Without its proper usage, we can expect to face lots of traffic jams, slow driving lanes, and worse than any of these, a car accident. Each hour, a human life gets lost in a road accident in India. If the drivers drive according to the traffic rules, they can save those lives and make it easier for new drives to feel less intimidated by driving on roads.
Traffic rules are taught to every student who belongs to a school but when these people grow up and go to college, they are not reminded of these rules which are still very much needed. A lesson on traffic rules is hence mandatory for adults just like how students are being taught about it. This is because it is the adults who tend to be more reckless about their driving.
Violation of traffic rules has also become an increasing problem to the society that we live in especially in highly polluted areas such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, or Mumbai. There are also hefty fines and strict vigilance from the traffic police being arranged for the awareness regarding the impact of bad driving and hence steps are taken by the government to change the ways of driving.
The responsibility is not only of the traffic police but it is also the responsibility of the citizens to impart proper traffic rules and abide by them.
FAQs on Essay on Traffic Rules
1. What is the significance of traffic rules?
Traffic rules are not some rules that are created by the government so that they can get money out of them. Instead, it is these rules that help with the protection of drivers. There are also driving tests that are conducted for the same purpose. This allows the examiner to test the knowledge of the driver regarding the traffic rules and whether they are eligible to drive on a road or not. The traffic rules also help people to maintain a moderate speed that does not harm anyone or create any accidents. Not only do we keep ourselves safe by following the traffic rules but we also keep others safe as well.
2. What is the role of traffic police?
Maintaining traffic safety and efficiency on the roads is a must and this cannot be done if there is no person to handle all the rules. The purpose of traffic police is hence to control, regulate, and guide the traffic. Traffic police apart from maintaining the traffic also aim at checking people who do not follow these rules and punish them according to the violation done. Based on the violation, the punishment also varies. While it may take about Rs. 250 to violate the signal, it may range to Rs. 1000 or even Rs. 10,000 if people drink and drive. In some severe cases, they are also sent to jail.
3. How do traffic lights help people to follow traffic rules?
Traffic lights have a particular colour that indicates various actions. These lights have the following colours and purposes:
- The red light of the traffic light indicates stopping at the signal.
- Yellow light on the traffic light indicates driving slowly through the signal or getting ready to go.
- A green light on the traffic light indicates that people can now drive and pass by. Following these lights and their indications is quite important as it helps people to follow the traffic rules. These also allow harmonious driving based on the different colours of light being shown.
4. What do cautionary or warning signs indicate?
Cautionary or warning signs are mostly seen in the shape of an equilateral triangle which has an apex that points upwards. They have a red border with black symbols on white background indicating various signals. The normal size of the triangle is about 900 mm side and it is 600 mm for small-sized triangles. These signs are located at least 50 metres ahead of the points of hazard in the urban areas whereas in rural areas, it may vary depending on the region. The two most mandatory rules that need to be followed are STOP and GIVE WAY signs. The STOP sign is present in octagonal shape while the GIVE WAY sign is circular in shape.
5. How many types of traffic signals are presently available based on their operations?
There are three types of traffic signals that are based on their operation modes. These three types of traffic signals con are provided as follows:
1. Fixed Time Signals:
There is a fixed time when each colour of the traffic lights appears. While this is really beneficial during normal times, during heavy traffic times they seem to be at a disadvantage as there is excessive traffic being generated. This can however also be managed by setting automatic or manual switching.
2. Traffic Attenuated Signals:
This is based on the traffic seen on the roads. When the traffic is high, the detectors tend to detect the intersection and regulate the lights accordingly. While if the traffic is low, there will be signals shown as per the traffic present.
3. Coordinated or linked signals:
When the vehicles go through the thoroughfare, it is seen that based on the speed of the vehicle, they need not stop. They can hence go at a normal speed without having to stop or give way. This can be done by using the following systems:
Simultaneous system
Alternate or limited progressive system
Simple progressive system
Flexible Progressive system