Associates of RASTROTTHAN SANKALP Mr. Gangadhar Patil and Mr. Chetan G conducted a survey on 9th May 2009 in Belgaum. They took snaps of almost every case of violation.

Here is their report and the photos of traffic violations done by Belgaumites.

People are often seen complaining about the increasing traffic and blaming the traffic police for the mayhem. But has anybody strictly followed the traffic rules till date. Ask one, the reply is a straight no.

The traffic system in the Belgaum City is in a pathetic condition. People of Belgaum are mostly unaware of the traffic rules. Traffic sense does not prevail in the minds of any one be it residents or concerned enforcing authorities. Innumerable cases of violations can be found almost at every nook and corner of the city. Travelling on the main roads is not at all a safe option. Traffic rules are being completely neglected and violated in many ways. Rastrotthan sankalp took an initiative to look into this aspect in detail.

Riders could be seen coming on the wrong side, overtaking from the left , crossing the guarded railway gate when train is about to arrive, escaping the traffic signal, exceeding the speed limit, etc. Even worse, youngsters are often seen with their acrobatics on bike, sometimes they drink and drive cars and bikes. College Going students often drive bikes in a Zigzag manner. They compete on the roads as well as highways ending up in accidents. Trucks all over the city creating huge traffic. Unfortunately Belgaum is not properly connected by Ring Roads meant for the trucks. Trucks can be seen entering restricted areas, parked anywhere inside the city most of the times exceeding speed limit. In these circumstances, the traffic gets worse and accidents are bound to happen.

Following are the violations we could capture in the Belgaum city limits.

Traffic Rules

• Keep on your left, allowing the vehicles from the opposite direction to pass.
• Give way to traffic on your right, especially at road junctions and round about.
• While turning either left or right, give way to vehicles going straight.
• While turning left, keep to the left side and turn close to the left side of the road to which you enter.
• Slow down at the junctions, intersections and pedestrian crossings. Also slow down near school zones, temple areas etc., where a lot of pedestrians and vehicle traffic move. Give signals before you make any maneuver, indicating your intention, so that the other road users can adjust accordingly.
• Always use a helmet if on a two-wheeler and always check that the strap is fixed properly.
• Stick to the given speed limit and remember that speed limit is related to the traffic condition.
• Keep enough distance from the vehicle ahead to avoid collision.
• Yellow lines should not be crossed under any condition.
• At junctions or intersections, never park the vehicle beyond the stop line.
• At pedestrian crossings always remember that the pedestrian has the right of way.
• At the signal, do not stop your vehicle on the Pedestrian Crossing.
• Two-wheelers are meant only for two. Third person is not allowed, even children.
• Do not start your vehicle on the amber light. Wait for the light to turn green.
• Overtake only from the right side of a vehicle. Never overtake on bridges, narrow roads, junctions, school zones and pedestrian crossings.
• Do not drive in a zigzag manner.