I have been driving here for a long time …Its chaotic I agree , But I’ve always said there is Order & Peace in the Chaos cause if an accident happens its usually not an issue as we wouldn’t be driving fast , so its a “KISS & GO “ relationship between vehicles. Usually minor to no damage and life risk was minimum , we could live with a scratch here and a scratch there.
This time around its slighly different. We have new Highways and roads …namely :
1.P.V. Narasimha Rao Elevated Expressway – Rajiv Elevated Expressway that connects the city to Shamshabad Airport – length 31.6 km (19.6 mi) ; Speed Limit 60 kmph Max ; ( Witnessed — Car going at 100- 150 kmph )
2. ORR – Rajiv Gandhi Outer Ring Road – 158 kilometer, 8-lane ring road expressway encircling the City of Hyderabad , The expressway is designed for speeds of 120 kmph. ( Witnessed – Cars driving at 120-160/170 kmph )
There are many issues , of course the officials or Authority doesn’t make an effort to educate people. Thank God and Government we finally have some good highways but governments responsibility doesn’t end there. The drivers CANNOT use the same logic and intuition while driving on (1) & (2) like they do it local roads. “SPEED KILLS’ is an understatement for this scenario.
SPEED KILLS — why ???
1.Cause there are rocks and debris on the side or on the road and its hard to come to a stop or divert from that object at high speeds.
2.There’s people walking on these roads , I don’t know why they feel they should walk there or what boost of confidence provokes them to do that ?
3. There’s animals wandering / walking / resting on the road.
4. There’s unwanted speed bumps on the road without prior warning or signs.
5.Drivers doesnt know the RULES and if they do, they DO NOT follow them. { Rash Drivers , Drunken Drivers }
Marked lanes actually doesn’t mean anything here in Hyderabad , India . Its a mere decoration.
People actually enjoy driving in the middle of two lanes and consider that safe on a two lane road. Howz that safe I cant figure out ??
Majority of people DO NOT use indicators to signal the turns . Indicator on cars and bike are also just for decoration.
Honking is a way of indication or their presence on the road, to Which again people and animals on the streets are immune too.
I am sick of traffic and wondering if there are any rules that people know of .. I am sure 99% of taxi drivers and other drivers doesn’t know the rules.
We would think or assume that the recent incident of Death of Celebrity Kids would wake our Government and come up with a solution …but so far I havent seen anything. I know people in Hyderabad love to Surf … may be this would help if they stumble upon it …
Here are some rules to help :
Driving on the right:
The lane designated for faster traffic is on the left.
The lane designated for slower traffic is on the right.
Most freeway exits are on the right.
Overtaking is permitted to the left, and sometimes to the right.
Pavement Markings
Lines and symbols on the roadway divide lanes, tell you when you may pass other vehicles or change lanes, which lanes to use for turns, where you must stop for signs or traffic signals, and define pedestrian walkways. These provide lane control.
Edge Lines : Edge lines are solid lines along the side of the road that show you where the edge of the road is located.
Solid White Lines are used on the right of the roadway edge.
Solid Yellow Lines are used on the left of the roadway edge of divided streets or roadways.
Lane Lines :Lane lines are white lines that separate multiple lanes traveling in the same direction.
Dashed White Lines are between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction that indicate you may cross to change lanes if it is safe to do so.
Solid White Lines are between lanes of traffic that indicate you should stay in your lane unless a special situation requires you to change lanes.
Center Lines : Center lines are yellow lines that separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions.
Dashed Yellow Lines separate single lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. Passing is allowed.
Solid Yellow Lines on roads where traffic moves in opposite directions indicate zones where passing is not allowed.
Dashed Yellow Line Alongside a Solid Yellow Line indicates that passing is permitted on the side of the broken line, but not on the side of the solid line.
Solid Double Yellow Lines are used where there are four or more lanes with traffic moving in opposite directions. Two solid lines mark the center of the roadway. Solid yellow lines may be crossed to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway, or street.
Crosswalks and Stop Lines. When required to stop because of a sign or signal, you must stop before your vehicle reaches the stop line. Crosswalks define the area where pedestrians may cross the roadway.
Reserved Lanes. On various roadways, one or more lanes may be reserved for special vehicles.
Reserved lanes are marked by signs stating that the lane is reserved for special use and often have a white diamond posted at the side of the road or painted on the road surface.
Its my Civic Duty to help. Pass this on and help save some lives.
