There are various traffic violations that people commit at times. The drivers and riders do not follow the road crossing rules. They neglect the zebra line during the stop or red signal at traffic lights. It can affect road safety and create problems for people crossing the road on foot.
The all-new Motor Vehicles Act enforces zebra Crossing Rules in India. New penalties are added in the latest version with some increment in the existing fines. The objective of the new laws is to keep the drivers, riders and pedestrians safe.
Before knowing zebra crossing rules, let us check the road safety issues in India.
Every person is indeed aware of enhancing road safety. Still, many traffic safety issues have made it difficult for people to move on the road.
- Negligence: People often make hue and cry that there is no proper traffic safety. But the same people do not obey the traffic rules. They do not take the rules seriously, which is disturbing news. It is dangerous to break the rules. They seldom realize that such a law exists and that they are liable to pay a fine in case of such traffic violations.
- Roads in Poor Condition: Another huge road safety issue is the dire conditions of roads. If roads are not maintained properly, mishaps may occur. Vehicles are more prone to accidents.
- Missing Road Safety Standards: At many places, road signs or markings are not present as required, like Zebra crossing lines and bump marks. There is the omission of stop lines.
- Improper planning: The government often lacks proper planning, and in turn, people have to suffer due to poor road safety standards. Even road contractors construct sub-standard roads in India. They soon get washed away when the monsoon comes.
- Law enforcement is not done effectively: Government do make laws, but their enforcement is lacking at times. Currently, it is required to implement the laws in the best possible manner.
Many motorists have the habit of crossing the stop line. Before the signal turns green, they try to change the lanes. It affects the natural flow of traffic. Pedestrians are confused and are not able to cross the road. To prevent the people from breaking the rules and road safety, the government has introduced zebra crossing rules in India with a stringent penalty.
What does zebra crossing mean?
The alternate black and white stripes are zebra crossing, which looks like Zebra. This kind of pedestrian crossing is used globally so that pedestrians can cross the road while the vehicles are waiting at a red signal.
Zebra Crossing Rules in India
The rule states that vehicles passing roads have to stop at the line before the zebra crossing on seeing the red light to allow pedestrians to cross the street. When the walking sign in green lights up on the traffic signal, it indicates pedestrians can cross the road using the zebra crossing.
On the other hand, pedestrians need to wait and check that all the traffic stops before entering a zebra crossing. If there’s no specific signal for pedestrians, they should cross the street after the traffic slows down.
There is the introduction of strict rules to maintain discipline among commuters and prevent traffic chaos. For example, the new road crossing rules include two-wheelers or four-wheelers paying a hefty fine if they jump zebra crossing at traffic signals.
There is also a severe penalty n case of driving errors and imprisonment for up to one month for racing and speeding. Apart from that, those who drive without insurance have to pay a fine of Rs. 2000 and imprisonment for up to three months. There are also acceptable for drunken driving and dangerous driving.
Below are some other road safety rules
- Rule 8 of the Road Regulation 1989 imposes a duty on the driver to slow down their vehicle when approaching a pedestrian or zebra crossing.
- Rule 11 in this regulation prohibits motor vehicles from driving on the footpath or cycle lane except in cases where a police officer on duty permits them to do so.
- Under Rule 15 of these regulations, the vehicle driver cannot park their vehicle near or on a pedestrian crossing, footpath or traffic light.
- Section 336 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, protects the public from any rash or negligent act like driving rashly or negligently, endangering human life and safety.
- Section 337 of IPC deals with any such rash or negligent act which causes hurt to human life, for which imprisonment can be up to six months or fine or both.
- Section 138 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 also empowers the State Government to make rules ensuring the safety of road users by prohibiting the use of motor vehicles on footpaths and pavements.
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