“When it comes to Mumbai traffic, there is a list of frequently breached Breached Traffic Rules easily ignored by people for silly reasons. It’s not just a topic to write about; I personally fear accidents and deaths due to negligence. The recent shocking road accident death of Shree Gopinath Munde was due to a minor mistake by him of not wearing a seatbelt while seating in the rear seat, which cost his life with a breach of traffic rule by another motorist on the road who hit his car.
Of course the blame is on the person who breached the rule, but we don’t have control over others, and we should also be ready with all those traffic safety, rules and signs from our part, and sometimes, as it is said, luck As detailed by the traffic department, Let’s understand the most frequent breaches of road traffic rules in today’s Mumbai, which was then known for the most obedient rule follower during Bombay city days.
Understand Basic Traffic Rules in Mumbai
Like one teaches the basics of A,B, C, and D to small kids, the rules are simple and important, yet not followed as required by some experienced drivers who set a wrong example to their own kids, friends, and other motorists driving along the road.
The three main road signal blinkers on almost every junction in Mumbai are the basics RED (STOP at Junction), YELLOW (SLOW DOWN and get ready to STOP ON RED) and GREEN (PROCEED Safely).
Have the attitude that breaking rules once is simply wrong, with common reasons being the police not watching, or say you might have seen others doing so and you want to simply follow as no one watches. Remember, accidents are the result of a little ignorance by you alone or another motorist. You need to do your part by following rules and setting a correct example so that others see, learn from, and follow you.
Also follow the listed traffic rules and driving rules properly and know the penalties too.
Know what type of fonts etc allowed on number plates and about road markings. Honking and Parking rules are very basic things to know before you learn driving and address of all RTO in Mumbai.
Frequent Ignored Traffic Rules or Most Common Breaches
Daily, lots of cases are registered, and lots of them are warned for minor road negligence by the traffic department. It’s not that they don’t do their work; today they are at their best.
But the question is, Who are we, the citizens of Mumbai? How much do we help them by following traffic rules? Again, it’s not about another person breaching the rules; it’s about you, and this applies to all. Let’s understand the list of most frequently breached traffic rules in Mumbai:
Jumping the Red Signal
And the most common reason I saw or might have seen was a traffic cop not looking or being busy on the other side. Hello, is that an excuse? or like you just broke the rule of jumping signals because others in row did it all at the same time? Not done. Don’t be a blind follower or take on such excuses as cops not looking at you or something. Be an ideal citizen to be followed by others.
Another reason, as seen, is unmanned signals (no cop to manage) at smaller junctions where cops are not available. There are thousands of such junctions and a comparatively handful of traffic cops (approximately 3000 only in city). It is practically impossible, until and unless some automatic road traffic technology to catch signal jumpers is in place.
Western countries like the United States and others are perfect examples to follow. Also, as detailed in leading newspapers, here are some signal jumping offence figures for the last four years. 2013 (above 3 lakhs), 2012 (about 2 lakhs), 2011 (3.5 lakhs), and 2010 (above 3.5 lakhs)
Heavy Vehicles on Wrong Side of Road
Inter-state road transport of food, vegetables, grains, etc. has led to the expansion of transportation and the use of heavy vehicles on Mumbai roads, especially on national highways. It’s a common-sense rule that cars and motorcycles go faster than these heavily loaded vehicles, which need to be on left-side lanes. Still, a few uneducated drivers do not pay heed and purposely drive on the right side of the road.
This sometimes leads to boiling up other motorists on the same road who are usually getting late or just don’t like such offenders. Heavy vehicle owners (companies or individuals) should strictly make the drivers understand and educate them about this, which is the only solution and workaround.
Lane Cutting Without Proper Signal
How on earth will the car behind you understand in which direction you want to suddenly move? Cutting a lane without proper signals (left and right indicators) and hand signals can lead to accidents, which are one of the more frequent reasons.
He himself is one of the victims of one of the two road accidents that might occur. Didn’t you pay for those indicators too? Use them; make it a habit. Also, I am sure no one likes to hear some of those common abusive words from other motorists during such petty mistakes. You know what I mean.
Drink and Driving is very Frequent
Once under the influence of alcohol “Who cares?” is the wrong attitude. Don’t you have a family who actually cares ? Same way others do.
This mentality of who cares, no one will catch, we will bribe the cop,” etc. is how a few idiots think it works and is one of the offences and breaches often seen here in the city. Every year, our traffic department takes the special initiative of catching such drunk drivers, and the numbers are unbelievable. The solution I feel is making rules stricter for offenders and adding more CCTV cameras at junctions. If any, catching hold of such cops who take bribes and suspending them.
Rash Driving Got Common
Being or showing off as a hero of the road and breaching this rule of speed limits is not cool any more. I also personally feel such scenes in movies should be banned, or just like smoking, a parallel display notice on screen should be shown, something like “RASH DRIVING IS AN EASY GATEWAY TO HELL”.
Lack of cops on duty and high-tech CCTV cameras that can detect the car number and capture the faces of drivers are much needed in the city, mostly at night.
Speeding, Careless Parking and Stopping Anywhere
With the blessings of the Almighty, one owns a car, but it feels and rides like owning the road. Common sense seems to be very uncommon in cities sometimes. Sudden stopping your vehicle anywhere in the middle can be risky.
Also, the breach of parking cars on the wrong side or in the wrong way is commonly seen. WHY ? There is no need to repeat the process described above. Speed limits are set to help prevent accidents in sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, and dangerous turns. Speed breakers are meant for the same; use them.
Vehicle Honking
Common and casual honking doesn’t come under traffic rules (till I know, I might be wrong) apart from “no honking” in sensitive areas as displayed on roadside sign boards. Without rules, honking seems to be fun or a sign of the idiotic behaviour of a persona.
It’s ok to honk in case it’s extremely needed; otherwise, why will a vehicle in front of you stop for no reason? The worst scenario is listening and seeing a group honking in the middle of a traffic jam. How does that make sense? , It seems like a group of sheep are following each other blindly for no reason. One has to decide between being a good civilian or doing this and proving oneself as a ‘classic idiot civilian’.
Helmets and Mobile Phones
Some creative Mumbai citizens are seen adjusting their mobile phones inside helmets, riding while talking. I am sure you must have seen bike riders with their phones adjusted between shoulder and ear. What a risky stunt and creative way of balancing the talks with the ride. No fear of life. But most importantly, riding a bike without proper helmets is an offence and a very common breach of Mumbai traffic rules. Similarly, talking on mobile phones while riding a four-wheeler is also a commonly seen breach inside a city.
A new initiative by the RTO and traffic department to show the horror of road accidents has been started. Those who approach the RTO for a learning licence have to spend some 15 to 20 minutes watching these horror accidents and common mistakes that lead to It’s like learning from the fearful examples of past accidents, and I am sure it will work.
See Also : Road Safety Guidelines, Traffic Police Helplines, Emergency Control Room Numbers and some basic driving rules, Commercial vehicles fitness certificate and Vehicle number series and related RTO locations.
See More in Road Traffic Rules and Related Travel Guide
