5 things your driving school may not teach you (and which may save your life)

Hyderabad: After India gained independence, the government enacted a world-class motor vehicle rules in the form of CMVR in 1989 (Central Motor Vehicle Rules). So, we have had robust rules in place as part of the Motor Vehicle Act for 34 years, yet no one knows about it. It’s the most closely guarded secret of the country and it’s costing India about 1,50,000 lives every year.

Since the past decade, the government is vigorously enforcing the use of helmets and seatbelts to improve the statistics. However, the real problem is that helmets and seatbelts are only useful after an accident. Our goal should be to never get into an accident in the first place, and learning the rules is the only way to truly protect ourselves from an accident.

So, let’s us look at 5 things covered in CMVR 1989 that can prevent you from getting into an accident and which your driving school or “uncle/parent/friend” may not have taught you.

1. Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) is the first rule of driving. It means checking your mirrors. If clear, then turn on the indicator and only then make a movement. When should you use MSM? Before starting off from the stopped position, before stopping, before changing lanes, before overtaking, and whenever you see a hazard ahead. Proper usage of MSM can prevent many accidents.

2. PSL or Position-Speed-Look: You have to maintain correct position when driving. Not your body position but your vehicle position. For instance, when approaching a junction, choose a lane based on your direction of travel—left lane for turning left or straight, right lane for turning right. Don’t change lanes at the last minute as that will create road rage and honking.

3. Line of sight: Don’t overtake on curves, turnings, or dip in the road as you cannot see what’s coming on the opposite side. And it might be too late if a lorry is coming at you head-on. Also, when the center-line becomes solid, do not overtake.

4. Free Left is not Right of way! When joining a main road, whether you are turning left or right, always stop at the junction and give way (yield) to the traffic on the main road before merging. If you are turning right, merge from the left lane, do not cut corner and drive on the right side of the road. Never drive on the opposite side.

5. Make a right turn (or) U-Turn at junction only when you have RIGHT Green Arrow. Do not make a U-turn when you see a round green light. A round green light usually means the opposite side also has a green light, so you will be driving into oncoming traffic.

The author, Naresh Raghvan, is a road safety author and regularly posts road safety information on his Twitter handle @TopDriveIndia.