The rush of enthusiasm you get when you pass the driving license test and get your driving license cannot be compared to anything else. But what’s the use of it if you don’t know the traffic rules? And what’s the point if you know the rules well but don’t abide by them?
Below are the basic traffic rules and violations you must know if you are in the city of joy, Kolkata, West Bengal.
Safety rules For Two-Wheeler Drivers:
Wear Helmet: Wearing a helmet can save your life. Majority of motorcycle accidents claim lives of people who do not wear helmets.
Do not overload: Accommodating more than one person behind you is a threat to your life and others. Balance is critical and one slip can cause a massive accident.
Use indicators: Using indicators is very easy. Given that a lack of judgment in cases where high speed corridors are plied upon, use of indicators can provide that extra assistance to the driver behind you and save lives.
Refrain from off-roading: Off-roading causes 20% of motorcycle accidents. When a motorcycle enters the main road from an off-road, vehicles which are speeding are sometimes unable to brake at the last moment. That has caused a lot of deaths.
Refrain from overtaking cars: While overtaking might be necessary in some cases, a wrong move can result in permanent injuries and even death.
Safety rules For Four-Wheeler Drivers:
Follow Traffic Signals: Traffic signals are meant to followed religiously. Jumping a red light can cause accidents of worrying nature.
Refrain from using mobile phones: Mobile phones have been attributed to close to 20% of small and big accidents. In case you need to talk on your mobile, stop and then converse.
Carry your documents: Carrying documents is very important. Not only does it prevent violations but also provides important information to the police.
Seat Belts should be put on: Seat belts are a safety measure that all drivers and passengers must make use of.
Drive slowly: Make it a habit to drive slowly near schools, gardens, and public places.
Traffic Violations and their penalties according to the government of Kolkata, West Bengal
| Offense | Fine (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Driving vehicle without license | 500 |
| Not being of ideal age to drive motor vehicle: (i) 16 years M/C-50CC (ii) other than transport vehicle-18 years (iii) transport vehicles-20 years | 500 |
| Owner allowing others to drive the vehicle without having a proper driving license. | 1000 |
| Driving a vehicle without registration or in contravention of the condition of Blue Book | 6000 to 9500 |
| Driving vehicles without a certificate of fitness or an invalid certificate | 6000 to 9500 |
| Driving Vehicles without permit or in contravention of the condition of permit | Issue Seizure List |
| Allowing any person to stand or sit or to place anything in such a manner or position as to hamper the driver in his control of the vehicle. | 300 |
| Driving vehicle at excessive speed | 1000 |
| Owner driving in contravention of speed limit | 500 |
| Driving vehicles in violation of mandatory Traffic Signs | 300 |
| Leaving vehicle in such a position so as to cause or likely to cause danger, obstruction or inconvenience to any road. | 300 |
| Allowing the vehicle to remain stationary at Public Place. | 300 |
| Non-production of driving license on demand by a Police Officer in uniform | 300 |
| Failure to take certain precautions at unguarded level crossings | 300 |
| Failure to stop the vehicle when asked by a Police Officer in uniform, when the vehicle is involved in an accident. | 1000 |
| Not insuring the vehicle against 3rd Party/or for driving an uninsured vehicle. | 1000 |
| Non-production of Registration Certificates, Insurance Certificates, permit, etc. by the driver of trampest vehicle (In case of other vehicles 15 days time for production should be given as per Provision of Central Motor Vehicle Rules-139) | 300 |
| Non-production of Insurance Certificate (7 days’ time should be given for such documents. | 300 |
| Disobedience of order and obstructions. | 500 |
| Withholding information or giving false information. | 500 |
| Crossing the numbers of persons allowed to be carried in goods vehicles I. Light goods vehicles gross weight less than 1000 Kg – One Person II. Other light goods vehicles – three persons III. Goods vehicles other light goods vehicles – Seven Persons | 300 |
| Carriage of animals other than the trampest vehicle so specified. | 300 |
| Driving vehicles dangerously. | 1600 to 2000 |
| Driving drunk or when under influence of drugs. | 3000 |
| Driving when mentally or physically unfit to drive. | 500 |
| Taking part in race or trial of speed of any kind between motor vehicles at any Public Place. | 500 |
| Using vehicle in unsafe condition. | - |
| Violation of Standards Prescribed for Road Safety, control of Noise & Air Pollution. | 2000 |
| Carriage of goods which are dangerous or hazardous to human life in violation of prescribed conditions. | 5000 |
| Sale of vehicles in or alternation of vehicle to condition contravening this Act. | 500 |
| Taking & driving vehicle without consent of owner or lawful authority. | 500 |
| Exercising Control of a vehicle unlawfully by force or threat of force or by any other form of intimation. | 500 |
| Attempt and abetment of Section 197(I) & 197(2) | 500 |
| Unauthorized interference with vehicle | 100 |
| Power of Police Officer to detain vehicle without Certificate of Registration, Permit etc. | 6000 to 9500 |
| Using Motor Vehicles with defective Number Plates | 300 |
| Regn. mark shall be in English letters and Arabic numerals | 300 |
| Non-exhibition of Registration Marks at rear number plate (Trailer) | 300 |
| Vehicle not fitted with rear view mirror | 300 |
| Driving two-wheeler without standard helmet | 300 |
| Violation on the restriction of using dazzling light | 300 |
| Stop Line Violation | 300 |
| Centre Line Violation | 300 |
Challan process
It is very simple to check and pay for the challan you have been fined. In fact, you can do it online.
Details required for checking Challan online:
Details like your vehicle registration number, last 5 characters of the chassis number, your email and mobile number are necessary. You can check your challan online at kolkatatrafficpolice.net
Keep this pdf handy to know all the traffic rules and related penalties for violations: http://www.kolkatatrafficpolice.gov.in/KolkataPoliceReview.pdf
Read informative Traffic Rules & Violations Articles at Acko.
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