Traffic offences in India that you don’t know about

The Indian traffic police force tends to be more relaxed compared to their counterparts in developed countries. There are numerous laws that might surprise you in real life. While most of these laws are not regularly enforced by the police, they do exist, and there have been instances where road users were fined for violating these “unknown” rules.

Blocking Traffic

This issue is commonly seen in many organized parking lots in India. Some car owners leave their vehicles parked in a way that obstructs other vehicles. Blocking another car’s path in a parking lot is considered an offense. If reported, the police can issue a fine of Rs. 100 to the offender. Although the intention is to prevent parking obstruction, the fine is relatively low, and many people tend to overlook it. Moreover, people rarely call the police when faced with such a situation.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Not Having First Aid

This rule is specific to Chennai and Kolkata and may not apply in other states. If the driver fails to provide first aid to any of the car’s occupants in case of an accident, they can be fined Rs. 500 or face a jail term of up to three months. This rule ensures that every vehicle is equipped with a first-aid kit, which is mandatory to be sold with every new two-wheeler and four-wheeler in India.

Smoking in a Car

Smoking in a car while it is in public areas is illegal in Delhi and the NCR (National Capital Region). Even if the vehicle is parked in a public place and occupants are found smoking, the police can issue a fine of up to Rs. 100. This rule discourages smoking in public places and addresses the potential distraction to the driver caused by smoking.

Borrowing a car

This rule applies only in Chennai. According to this rule, if you borrow a friend’s vehicle, the owner should be informed. If caught driving a friend’s or relative’s vehicle without the owner’s knowledge, the Chennai Police can impose a jail term of three months or a Rs. 500 fine. This rule aims to prevent car thefts, as some individuals claim that the vehicle belongs to a friend during routine police document checks.

Installing a TV

The trend of installing aftermarket systems that can play videos while driving has gained popularity. In Mumbai, installing a TV or any video-playing device on a vehicle’s dashboard is illegal, and a fine of up to Rs. 100 can be imposed on violators. Watching videos or engaging in any other activity can distract the driver and lead to accidents. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices are typically integrated with the vehicle’s ECU or the handbrake and do not play videos while the vehicle is in motion.

Leaving Car on Idle

Leaving a car idling can result in a fine of up to Rs. 100 in Mumbai. So, whether you are at a traffic signal or parked roadside, if the vehicle’s engine is running unnecessarily, you can be fined by the police. This rule encourages drivers to save fuel and turn off the engine when the vehicle is not in use.

Giving Lift to Strangers

Offering a lift to unknown individuals is considered a significant offense in India. If you provide a lift to a stranger, your vehicle can be confiscated for being used as a taxi. It is not permissible to give rides to random people standing on the roadside. This rule safeguards car occupants from potential theft and misuse of private vehicles for commercial purposes.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered