The Rules Of The Road Regulations, 1989

The Rules Of The Road Regulations was brought into effect from July 1, 1989. It serves as a basic guide for the Indian driver, showcasing the rules which he has to follow, while on the roads. It deals with basic facts such as overtaking, traffic signals, towing, speed limits, the necessary documents to be carried while driving and other such neglected, but imperative points nonetheless.

SO 439 (E) dated 12-June 1989 – In exercise of the power conferred by Section 118 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 (59 of 1988), the Central Government hereby makes the following Regulations for the driving of Motor vehicles, namely: -

1. Short Title And Commencement. - (1) These regulations may be called the Rules Of The Roads Regulations, 1989.

(2) They shall come into force from July 1, 1989.

2. Keep Left. - The driver of a motor vehicle shall, -
drive the vehicle as close to the left side of the road as may be expedient and shall allow all traffic which is proceeding in the opposite direction to pass on his right hand side.

3. Turning to left and right. - The driver of a motor vehicle shall, -
(a) when turning to the left, drive as close as maybe to the left hand side of the road from which he is making the turn and of the road which he is entering;
(b) when turning to the right draw as near as near as may be to the centre of the road which the driver is entering.

4. Passing to the right. - Except as provided in regulation 5, the driver of a motor vehicle shall pass to the right of all traffic proceeding in the same direction as himself.

5. Passing to the left. - The driver of a motor vehicle may pass to the left of a vehicle, the driver of which having indicated an intention to turn to the right has drawn to the centre of the road and may pass on either side, a tram car or other vehicle running on fixed rails whether travelling in the same direction as himself or otherwise provided that in no case shall he pass a tram car at a time or in a manner likely to cause danger or inconvenience to other users of the road including persons leaving or about to enter tram cars.

6. Overtaking prohibited In certain cases. - The driver of a motor vehicle shall not pass a vehicle travelling in the same direction as himself. -
(a) if his passing is likely to pass inconvenience or danger to other traffic proceeding in any direction;
(b) if he is near a point, a bend or corner or a hill or other obstruction of any kind that renders the road ahead not clearly visible;
(c) if he knows that the driver who is following him has begun to overtake him,
(d) if the driver ahead of him has not signalled that he may be overtaken.

7. Overtaking not to be obstructed The driver of a motor vehicle shall not, when being overtaken or being passed by another vehicle, increase speed or do anything in any way to prevent the other vehicle from passing him.

8. Caution at road junction. - The driver of a motor vehicle shall slow down when approaching a road intersection, a road junction, pedestrian crossing or a road corner, and shall not enter any such intersection, junction or crossing until he has become aware that he may do so without endangering the safety of persons thereon.

9. Giving way to traffic at road junction. - The driver of a motor vehicle shall, on entering a road intersection at which traffic is not being regulated, if the road entered is a main road designated as such, give way to the vehicles proceeding along that road, and in any other case give way to all traffic approaching to the intersection on his right hand.

10. Fire service vehicles and ambulances to e given free passage. - Every driver shall on the approach of a fire service vehicle or of an ambulance allow it free passage by drawing it to the side of the road.

11. Right of way. – The pedestrians have the right of way at uncontrolled pedestrian crossings. When any road is provided with a footpath or cycle tracks especially for other traffic, except with permission ‘of a police officer in uniform, a driver shall not drive on such footpath or track.

12. Taking 'U' turn - No driver shall take a 'U' turn where 'U' turn is especially prohibited and on a busy traffic road. If a 'U' turn is allowed the driver shall show signal by hand as for a right turn, watch in the rear view mirror and turn when safe to do so.

13. Signals to be given by drivers. - The following signals shall be used by drivers of all motor vehicles, namely :-

(a) When about to slow down, a driver shall extend his right arm with the palm downward and to the right of the vehicle and shall move the arm so extended up and down several times in such a manner that the signal can be seen by the driver of any vehicle who maybe behind him.
(b) When about to stop, a driver shall raise his right forearm vertically outside of and to the right of the vehicle, palm to the right.
(c) When about to turn to the right or to drive to the right hand side of the road in order to pass another vehicle or for any other purpose, a driver shall extend he is right arm in a horizontal position outside of and to the right of his vehicle with the palm of the hand turned to the front.
(d) When about to turn to the left or to drive to the left to the left hand side of the road, a driver shall extend his right arm and rotate it in an anti-clock wise direction.
(e) When a driver wishes to indicate to a driver of a vehicle behind him that he desires that driver to overtake him he shall extend his right arm and hand horizontally outside of and to the right of the vehicle and shall bring the arm backward and forward in a semi- circular motion.

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