Traffic (Driving) Atiquets / Rules / Laws

Hi everybody

Want to know exact traffic Atiquets/Rules for following driving situations

1)Overtaking in night driving:- Means signals for overtaking and signals to let overtake

2)Overtaking in day driving:-  Signals for overtaking and signals to let overtake

3) Use of Upper/dipper in day time

4) Use of Horn:- When & where required

5) Understanding responce/signals given by the vehicle driver ahead of you

6) Right of first go:- Like in ghats, the vehicles going up hill must be allowed to go first. OR while entering in to a main road, the vehicles comming from right side must be allowed to go first etc.

7) Use of Hazard warning lights

8) Car parcking Atiquets

The purpose of asking these question is to make aware everybody,(including myself) about the correct methods/rules/laws etc. I didn't find RTO regulations on some of above mentioned matters. It would be nice if everybody knows requirements by law.

One more thing did anybody noticed??. While following trucks on highways, many times I get puzzled due to the decorative ribbons OR cloths OR whatever tied to the door handles of drivers cabin, are waving in such a manner that driver is giving pass to me. A careful look can only differenciate between a true and false signal. Imagine the speed of responce we have when we are crusing at 100+ 

How many of us do really care other road users??. How many of us ensure that our signals/intentions are understood by other road users?? I belive these are the major causes for accidents. what about you guys?? 

Before looking into Amrut's queries, I thought it would be beneficial to all to know how RTO verifies a driver to be competent to award a Driving Licence. Rules 15 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 is the basis of Driving test. Read the sub rule 3 under this rule. There are 24 specifications to follow good driving practice.

Driving test.—(1) No person shall appear for the test of competence to
drive unless he has held a learner's licence for a period of at least '[thirty days.]
(2) The test of competence to drive referred to in sub-section (3) of section 9
shall be conducted by the licensing authority or such other person as may be
authorised in this behalf by the State Government in a vehicle of the type to which
the application relates.
(3) The applicant shall satisfy the person conducting the test that he is able to—

(a) adjust the rear-view mirror;

(b) take suitable precautions before starting the engine;

(c) move away safely and smoothly straight ahead at an angle, while at the
same time engaging all gears until the top gear is reached;

(d) to change to the lower gears quickly from the top gear when the traffic
conditions warrant such change;

(e) change quickly to lower gears when driving downhill;

(f) stop and re-start the vehicle on a steep upward incline making proper
use of the hand-brake or of the throttle and the foot-brake without any
rolling back, turn right and left corners correctly and make proper use
of the rear-view mirror before signalling;

(g) overtake, allow to be overtaken, meet or cover the path of other
vehicles safely and take an appropriate course of the road with proper
caution giving appropriate signals;

(h) give appropriate traffic signals at the appropriate time, in clear and
unmistakable manner by hand or by electrical indicators fitted to the
vehicle;

(i) change lanes with proper signals and with due care;

(j) stop the vehicle in an emergency or otherwise, and in the latter case,
bring it to rest at an appropriate course on the road safely, giving
appropriate signals;

(k) in the case of vehicle having a reverse gear, driving the vehicle
backwards, reverse it into a limited opening either to the right or left
under control and with reasonable accuracy;

(l) cause the vehicle to face in the opposite direction by means of forward
and reverse gears;

(m) take correct and prompt action on the signals given by traffic signs,
traffic lights, traffic controllers, policemen and take appropriate action
on signs given by other road users;

(n) act correctly at pedestrian crossings, which are not regulated by traffic
lights or traffic police, by giving preference to persons crossing the
roads;

(o) keep well to the left in normal driving;

(p) regulate speed to suit varying road and traffic conditions;

(q) demonstrate general control of the vehicle by confident steering and
smooth gear changing and braking as and when necessary;

(r) make proper use of the rear-view mirror before signalling, beginning
manoeuvring, moving away, altering the course to overtake, turning
right or stopping;

Cont'd...

(s) use the proper side when driving straight, turning right, turning left and
at junction of the road;

(t) make proper use of accelerator, clutch, gears, brakes (hand and foot)
steering and horn;

(u) anticipate the actions of pedestrians, drivers of other vehicles and
cyclists;

(v) take precautions at cross roads and on road junctions with regard to—

        (i) adjustment of speed on approach,
        (ii) proper use of rear-view mirror,
        (iii) correct positioning of the vehicle before and after turning to the
               right or left, ,

        (iv) avoidance of cutting right hand corners,

        (v) looking right, left and right again before crossing or emerging;

(w) concentrate in driving without his attention being distracted and to
demonstrate the presence of mind;

(x) show courtesy and consideration for the safety and convenience of other
road users, such as pedestrians, drivers of other motor vehicles or cycles

p.s: Thread may be ( or may not) merged to the existing traffic rule thread, and can be moved to RTO junction

Please check this link. Some of the questions are answered here.

Feroz excellent posts!

From this what struck me was the total irrelevance given by driving instructors for the use of review of mirrors.

@ Feroz, thanks for the link - very informative indeed.

Most of us know about it & talk sensibly - but not all follow it.  How irresponsibly we behave.

It's just a set of common senses collated & listed as rules. 

@Firoz

Thanks for detailed write up and useful links. It would help lot to me. Wonderful information.  

proper use of rear-view mirror,

@ mods, Can you paste the image I have uploaded in my photo album which shows right way to adjust mirror setting.

Sure, here it's...

Guys, wait for the image to change: Too Narrow > Too Wide > Correct.

@Kiran, you too can insert the image here by coping the image location from your Album & inserting it here through the tool 'Insert/Edit Image' (tree icon - 5th from right).

Thanx...
When I click on tree icon, it shows three tabs.. General, Appearance, advanced. General has got Image URL, Image list, etc.. How to do it ?