Traffic Rules Every Car or Bike Owner Should Know About in India

Gone are the days when traffic police had to issue challan physically. We live in a digital era now when technology has made everything easier than ever. There are cameras installed on every traffic signal and if the camera captures your car or bike violating any traffic rule like jumping red light, standing ahead of a zebra crossing, etc then you will get an e-challan sent to the email or address registered with your vehicle.

Let us tell you about some of the most common as well as important traffic rules you should know about.

Fasten Seatbelt & Wear Helmet

It is important to fasten your seatbelt while driving a car. Doing it will not only keep you safe in an accident but also help you avoid any kind of traffic violation. The main reason behind wearing a seatbelt while driving a car is that the safety airbags in the cars will only work when you’ve fastened your seatbelt. The traffic police can also fine you up to Rs. 1000 if they spotted you not wearing the seatbelt.

Talking about the traffic rules in India for two-wheelers, wearing a helmet is a must. Since the head is the most important part of the body it is important to cover it while riding a two-wheeler. Not only the rider but the pillion rider as well. You can be fined up to Rs. 1000 if traffic police spot you not wearing your helmet.  

Don’t Drink & Drive

This is one of the most serious issues of a traffic violation. It is because as a drunk driver, you are not only putting your life at risk but also of the people riding and walking on the road. As per the records of the traffic police authority, around 18-20 Indians die in a road accident due to drunk driving.

According to the current law, the blood alcohol limit that is allowed while driving is 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. This is not it. If the driver can be sentenced to prison as per the severity of the accident that can range from 6 months to four years. The traffic police can also cancel your license for three months and a fine of up to Rs. 3000.

Make Sure Your Vehicle is Insured

As per the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, all motor vehicle owners should have a third-party liability insurance policy. In case you forget to renew your policy and it lapses then if caught by the traffic police you can be fined up to Rs 2000 for the first time and if you get caught for the second time then you will have to pay a fine of up to Rs. 4000.

It is recommended by the insurance experts to purchase a comprehensive insurance policy that covers the third party as well as you.

Jumping Red Light

Never jump a red light. It can be risky for your life and your pocket as well. If you get caught on the camera installed on the traffic signal then you can get an e-challan sent to your home address of up to Rs. 5000 or sent to prison for a year. Make sure that you abide by the traffic rules and stay as a good citizen of the country.

Use of Mobile While Driving

It has always been advised by our elders to not do two things at a time. Focus on one thing only otherwise you might have to face consequences. The same logic is applied to driving. If you are using your mobile while driving then it can be dangerous for you as well as the third-party.

You can use your mobile phone for navigation and it should be kept on a mobile holder. If you get caught by the traffic police then you might have to pay a fine of up to Rs. 5000 or sentenced to jail for a year. If it is urgent then park your car on the side of the road and get done with your urgent call or any urgent email that you have to send or a text message. Keep it safe for yourself as well as for others on the road.

Over-speeding & Rash Driving

Speed thrills but kills and over-speeding on Indian roads can lead you to pay a hefty amount of fine. According to the reports, 65% of road accidents that happened in 2018 were because of over-speeding. There are signboards on the roads that tell you the speed limit of that particular road. It is compulsory for you to drive below that speed limit otherwise the cameras and speed sensors fitted on the road will record your speed limit and an e-challan will be sent to you. You can be fined up to Rs. 2000 for overspeeding.

Talking about rash driving that can put your life as well as others' life in danger, there was no law stating any kind of fine for it before the last amendment in the traffic rules and regulations. A new list of traffic rules was released that included a penalty for rash driving also. If caught for the first time, you will have to pay a fine ranging from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 5000 or imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year. If caught for the second time then you will have to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000 and imprisonment up to 2 years.

List of Traffic Rules & Penalties

Now, let us tell you about some of the penalties that you have to pay if you have violated any traffic rules.

These are some other common traffic rules and fines for violating them. These were revised in 2019 and are applicable until a further amendment in traffic rules and regulations.

Summarizing the Above

As a vehicle owner whether it is a car or bike, you are bound to follow these traffic rules otherwise violation of these rules can put a hole in your pocket. We have mentioned some of the common traffic rules and fines for violating them. For more information, you can also visit the traffic police authority’s website of your state and check the list of traffic rules in detail. Also, make sure that you drive safely and within the advised speed limit to avoid an accident as well as hefty fines.