Traffic Signs and Road Safety in India | Rules and Guidelines for Traffic Symbols

It is necessary to follow all the traffic rules and regulations and therefore you need to have an understanding of traffic signs and traffic symbols.

Road Traffic Signs - Indian Traffic Rules and Signs

Traffic signs are the silent speakers on the road. Be it the person behind the wheel or a pedestrian, having a sound knowledge about road safety is absolutely necessary for all before hitting the roads.

Traffic signs give information about the road conditions ahead, provide instructions to be followed at the major crossroads or junctions, warn or guide drivers, and ensure proper functioning of road traffic. Being unaware of road signs is akin to throwing caution to the wind. It can lead to loss of life and property. A person is supposed to be familiar (get through a written or oral test) with the traffic signs and symbols before acquiring a driving license in India.

Road safety signs are primarily of three types:

Mandatory Signs:

These signs are used to ensure free movement of traffic and make the road users cognisant of certain laws and regulations, restrictions and prohibitions. Violation of these signs is an offence, as per law.

Cautionary Signs:

These signs make the road users conscious of hazardous conditions on the road beforehand. The drivers, accordingly, take necessary actions to handle the situation.

Informatory Signs:

These signs guide the road users about destinations, distance, alternative routes, and prominent locations like food joints, public toilets, nearby hospitals, etc.

Road Safety Education

Education about road safety is often provided in schools, colleges, workplaces, clubs and public places. However, there could be other ways to create mass awareness:

• Distribute booklets and pamphlets in schools.
• Show presentations on road safety and negative aspects of road accidents in the class rooms.
• Share online content with peers.
• Encourage parents to help children learn preventive measures in real time.
• Educate teachers with the basic laws and regulations on the road.

Basic Rules of the Road

There are certain rules that have been prepared for the benefit of people and the idea of preparing these rules is not that they should be understood by the drivers, but it should also be understood by the cyclists, pedestrians and other people. It is essential to follow all the rules and regulation and they are clearly listed here. People are recommended that they should be carefully observing all the rules and regulation and it is effectual to be careful, considerate and patient.

Traffic Signals

Traffic signals or stop lights are positioned on the road intersection and they are used for indicating that whether it is safe to walk or not. People are recommended that they should follow all the Traffic signs and they would be required to understand this information that is displayed through color code.

Road Signals

These signs have got the very prominent role to play in the traffic system and they are made for the safety of people. According to the congress of Indian Roads, these signs and Traffic symbols have been categorized into 3 different categories