Driving in Delhi: Dangerous and deadly

Driving on Delhi's roads is a risk each day. No matter how careful and safe driver you are, the one facing you or ahead of you is out to test your patience. But with little control, concentration and confidence one can master the art of driving

CJ: kalos

Fri, Jul 17, 2009 11:32:10 IST

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safe driving

IF YOU are determined and dedicated, then driving on any road can be fun. But most of the drivers either come across as amateur and inexperienced or break too many rules. Many simply do not know driving even though they are license holders. By trial and error they learn the basics. They are the ones, who are dangerous and deadly to other drivers, cars as well as pedestrians.

Each day is a risk to drive on Delhi’s roads. No matter how careful and safe driver you are, the one facing you or ahead of you is out to test your patience and skills. But with a little control, concentration and confidence, one can master the art of driving. So why not learn it well and then drive on the roads. And after learning one has to practice it too and practice it extremely well so that others too are safe and secure on the roads.

With the amount of potholes, bends and rises on any road one has to have the skills of the circus artist. Not to speak of small mountains of garbage that are not only an unpleasant sight but unhealthy too. Maneuvering all this can test not only one’s patience but concentration too.

In today’s times, learning driving has become as essential as other necessary things. It not only goes well with a rising lifestyle, it gives you an option other than public transport. Your vehicle is at your disposal. But before using it, please become a safe and responsible driver.

When you are on road, you are responsible not only for your life and vehicle but other road users too. A slight mistake can result in a major accident. But one can avoid this by following road rules and regulations. It doesn’t take much but it leaves you and others safe. Once you practice them correctly, even other drivers will rectify their mistakes and follow suit.

The traffic in Delhi is increasing with each passing day and it is haphazard too. Buses, cars, bikes, cycles, etc go wherever they find space. Everybody is in a hurry to go first. They forget the golden rule ‘to give way’ or yield.

Everyone’s aim is to secure a driving license but learning safe driving is definitely not high on priority list. But this is what a new licensee must do. If you are 14, with parental consent you can apply for the learner’s license. So, start out early. Along with the car you can apply for the two wheeler license too.

To get a Learner’s License, go to your area RTO and take the theory test. You must pass in 12/20 questions. Get a copy of road test questions from the RTO. You can get the result same day. Take three photographs, your residence and age proof documents, pay Rs 30 and fill the application form. You have to give your finger print and be clicked in RTO.

After passing in theory, a Learner’s License is issued to the applicant. It is valid for six months. One can learn driving in the meanwhile and apply for Permanent License after a month of theory test.

Don’t take recourse to touts/brokers, who abound at the RTOs. Even the driving schools procure both the licenses by charging an extra payment of Rs 2200. You don’t need to do anything but just follow their instructions. And for eight hours of practical (in which nothing much is learnt) you shell out from Rs 1650 – 2000. Some driving schools throw in two hours of theory classes too. But the training cars are not well-maintained. Some can be compared to boxes (that’s what they are).

Now comes the major question of learning driving. Most of the new drivers are conscious and just go through the motions. It is a relief for them to secure the license. Many pay extra to touts and driving schools just for the license. What is the use of such license when you cannot drive the vehicle? Your aim should be to learn to drive.

Consider this – even after paying and procuring the license, such drivers do not know driving. A sincere advice is: never to take recourse to touts and pay and secure a license. You must learn driving. That should be your aim and goal.

Many are taken over by the enormity of the situation. Mentally they are not prepared. But this is the most important thing. You must go for more hours of practice. That will serve you well on the road. Not everyone learns driving in eight hours. Go for another eight, then another eight till you perfect the art of driving and are confident of hitting the road safely.

Even if you fail in the first practical test, don’t be dejected. Know what mistakes you have committed and work on them. It will boost your confidence. Once you have rectified them and learnt, you will drive with confidence and ease. Maybe you will laugh too that why you considered it difficult?

Most of the driving schools have the pattern I have described above. They can get you the license but you will not learn the art of driving. In this regard, one thing will be of immense help – having your own vehicle for practice. If you have your own vehicle and a permanent license holder can sit next to you while you practice with a “L” plate, you can practice what you learnt in the driving school. It takes time to remember and learn a new thing.

A good school for driving is Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTR) managed by Maruti Suzuki jointly with Department of Transport, GNCT of Delhi. It runs two schools in Delhi. It charges you Rs 3500/3800/4500 (depending on the vehicle you wish to drive). You can choose between Alto, Wagon R and Esteem.

It offers five theory classes, 5 simulator classes and 10 practical classes. There is a theory and practical exam too. Two books or CD is provided to learn about the multiple choice questions.

Simulator learning is novel. It is a computerised training done in a room. It offers the same experience of practical driving. It helps the new student concentrate and visualise. It is of great help when one does actual driving. One can go to marutidrivingschool.com and take online mock theory tests.

The instructors are well trained. They not only clarify the doubts a student has, they make driving easy. A good instructor is always welcome and they certainly are – in knowledge and attitude.

The best part is all cars are A/c, something no other driving school offers or rare few charge exorbitantly for A/c cars. There are lady instructors too for female students. And to practice driving, training and testing tracks are there. It helps greatly to train on tracks and then hit the road. No other school has tracks.

You must do a daily inspection of your vehicle prior to driving: Go around the vehicle and check air tyre pressure, wheel nuts, light indicator and number plate. Open the bonnet and check oil level, water level (brake fluid), fan belt and battery electrolytes. Before starting the vehicle, check accelerator, brake, clutch, gear level (neutral), hand brake, adjust eat, seat belt, adjust mirrors, check meter and gauge and see documents (RC, license, pollution certificate, insurance, car manual).

After this learn the following aspects of car driving carefully:

Follow safety observations, signal before starting off, smooth moving off and starting, steering holding and control, looking ahead and not on the bonnet or controls, starting in first gear, finding clutch biting point, releasing hand brake, moving to second gear, speed under control.

Moving to third gear, lane discipline, lane changing, observing traffic signals, observing road signs, observing road markings, facing traffic confidently

Moving to fourth gear, overtaking safely, maneuvering U turn, use of hand signals and indicators

Moving to fifth gear, coming down to lower gear before approaching turn, use of MSM (mirror, signal, maneuver) and PSL (position, speed, look), turn steering sufficiently and at right time, straightening wheel after turning, check mirror after turning on new road, adjust speed, cross roads

Stopping uphill and moving off, stopping downhill and moving off, parallel parking with the help of cones

Angular parking and ‘8’ formation with cones, correct position and safety checks for reversing, looking over the shoulders, control over speed, reverse straight and stop safely, reverse to left and right, fuel efficient driving

Perpendicular and parallel parking with cones, correct positions before approaching the roundabout, giving way to vehicles already in the roundabout, selection of correct lane, checking blind spots before changing lane, signaling before leaving roundabout, fuel efficient driving

‘H’ formation with the help pf cones, fuel efficient driving

Defensive and fuel efficient driving

Changing a flat tyre, defensive and fuel efficient driving

Once you learn the above well, you will be confident to take the driving test. And once you pass in that, you will be proud of yourself. You can safely take to the road.

For your Permanent License, take one photo, Rs 280, residence and age proof documents, Form 4, original Learner’s License and your test vehicle. Give the test confidently. Wow, you PASSED! Whoa! Never take the easy way out and resort to touts. Never. Sweat it out, man. Driving is a skill. Learn it well and put it to test equally well.

Remember everyday is a new challenge on road. Everyday you will learn something new on the road. So keep practicing. It never ends. It is an ongoing experience. Never be under the impression that you know everything. You may be in for a surprise.

As much as you wish to drive safely, even the other drivers too. If someone is breaking rules, you don’t need to but set an example before the rule breakers.

Maintain your vehicle with periodic check ups, always use petrol, have proper documentation and be 100% fit both physically and mentally before driving.

Finally, keep within the permissible speed limits. It is better to be late than never. (God forbid) you don’t want people to arrive for your funeral rather than you arriving home late but safe. The choice is all yours.

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