Two years ago, I started to drive my car in Bangalore. I had read all the books on driving, watched so many videos and thought I can be a courteous driver. But experience, as they say, counts for much more than bookish information, and there have been many harrowing experiences on the city streets, the flyovers, one ways and the narrow lanes.
It are these experiences which have brought me to pen these driving tips for city driving, and hope that others do not have to learn things the hard way, like I did.
(Unwritten) Rules of the Road:
If you try to be courteous and allow vehicles and/or pedestrians from the side roads onto the main road by slowing down, you will get angry horns and swearing from the vehicles behind you. So, you have right of way on the road. The other vehicles and / or pedestrians have to wait.
When taking right or left turns at intersections, always watch out for pedestrians who are two feet on the road into your turning path. They will normally be blocked by your car’s A-Pillar, so be slow and use the horn liberally.
Also when taking left turns at intersections, keep in ind two wheelers will try and overtake you on the left side, i.e. the pavement side. So try and give a slightly wide berth, because even if they hit you, it will be your fault.
Similarly, when being a pedestrian and crossing the road, do not assume that a red light for the driver will mean that they will necessarily stop. There are always a couple of idiots who break the red light and zoom past. Be alert when crossing the road.
Autos and taxis are the two most dangerous types of vehicles on city streets. They especially try and overtake from both the left and the right, and try and drive at the speed of sound. Keep in mind that if there is a taxi behind you, honking and flashing even in heavy traffic, do not try and move aside. There is a good chance you will hit someone in the left in heavy traffic. Just pull up your windows and turn on the radio.
Most autos do not have functioning brake lights, so it is very difficult to judge when they are slowing down. Also, they may suddenly slow down and swerve to avoid a pothole. So keep a safe distance.
At dusk / close to darkness, most people will not turn on their headlamps until they cannot see anything at all. And at night, some taxis / autos will still not turn on their headlamps. God knows if they are saving fuel or what. Always turn on your headlamps when it is dusk, even if it is not fully dark. And especially turn them on when it is raining.
If you know the direction you are to turn before an intersection, try and stick to that lane. e.g. the right lane if you are turning right. Keep in mind that there will be some vehicles which will not be in the correct lane and may suddenly turn even without any turn indicators or warnings. Hence, even when going straight at an intersection, be watchful for turning vehicles in your peripheral vision.
Do not try and run the yellow light when turning red. I know it looks ok to do so, but keep in mind there will be other idiots from the right or left who will also run their lights, resulting in the huge possibility of an accident.
Use your indicators when you are going to change lanes, it is useful to the person behind you. Do not use it AFTER you have completed the lane change manoevour.
Do not drive faster than you are comfortable with even if other irritating road users honk behind you. If they are in such a hurry, they will ultimately overtake.
That of course does not mean you stay in the fast lane doing 20 kmph. There are goods carrier vehicles and three wheelers which do this. Unfortunately, you have to overtake when from the left as they will not give way. Use your indicators and horns liberally in such a scenario.
For God’s sake, wear your seat-belt and helmets. They are there for a reason.
When moving into find a parking space, use your indicator to indicate that you want to turn in. Similarly, when moving out of a parallel parking space onto the main road, go slowly and use your indicator. Do not rush into the fray, unless you want to hit someone.
When exiting flyovers, keep a look out for vehicles coming in from the service road below and keep your speed down, as it is too easy to accelerate and go fast on the downhill slope.
These are just a few tips that I have learnt driving in city streets, which you may not necessarily find in a driving instruction book. They have worked for me, and I hope they help you.
I will keep updating this post with new tips as I learn them.