Leaving home means facing unpredictable situations. One of the most prominent hazards we encounter is on the roads. The roads can be dangerous whether driving, walking, or cycling. Road accidents can have devastating consequences, resulting in death or debilitating injuries. It is a harsh reality that such mishaps are among the leading causes of death and injury, not in India but worldwide, adversely impacting the victim’s families.
However, mitigating this risk is possible by adhering to road safety rules. These guidelines are in place to ensure that we can navigate the roads safely, regardless of our mode of transportation. Road safety rules encompass a range of topics, such as speed limits, traffic signals, and vehicle maintenance. If you overlook these rules, be ready to pay the penalty. In this article, we will discuss the most avoided safety rule — the “Traffic Signal Rule.”
Traffic Lights Rules: Green, Yellow and Red Light
Traffic light rules are an essential tool for regulating the flow of vehicles on roads and ensuring safety for all road users. These lights use a combination of colours, green, yellow, and red, to signal drivers and pedestrians when to stop and go. Understanding the rules of traffic lights is crucial for all road users to avoid accidents and ensure a smooth traffic flow.
- The green light is a signal for you to proceed with caution. It indicates that it is safe to go. However, you must still be aware of other vehicles, pedestrians, and potential hazards. You should not exceed the posted speed limit and must keep a safe distance from other four or two-wheelers on the road.
- The yellow light indicates that the signal is on the verge of turning red. Slow down and prepare to stop when approaching a yellow light. You must not try to beat the signal and should, if possible, come to a complete stop before the intersection.
- The red light means stop. When approaching a red light, you must come to a complete stop behind the stop line or crosswalk. It is illegal to pass a red light, and if you do so may receive a traffic ticket and be at risk of causing an accident.
- Pedestrians should also follow traffic light rules. They should wait for the green light before crossing the road and avoid crossing when the light is yellow or red. Pedestrians should also be aware of turning vehicles and look both ways before crossing.
Fine for jumping red light in different states
It is important to note that red light fines may vary from state to state, and these amounts are subject to change. Below is the list of a few states and their respective fines.
Sr. No.
|
State
|
Fine for running red light
|
1.
|
Delhi
|
Rs 1,000
|
2.
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
Rs 300-500
|
3.
|
Haryana
|
Rs 5,000
|
4.
|
West Bengal
|
Rs 500
|
5.
|
Telangana
|
Rs 500
|
6.
|
Maharashtra
|
Rs 200
|
7.
|
Karnataka
|
Rs 500
|
8.
|
Punjab
|
First offence - Rs 500
Subsequent offence - Rs 1,000
|
9.
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
Rs 1,000
|
10.
|
Rajasthan
|
Rs 1,000
|
11.
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
First offence - Rs 500
Subsequent offence- Rs 1,000
|
12.
|
Kerala
|
First offence - Rs 5,000
Subsequent offence- Rs 10,000
|
13.
|
Odisha
|
First offence - Rs 5,000
Subsequent offence- Rs 10,000
|
14.
|
Tamil Nadu
|
Rs 300-600
|
15.
|
Assam
|
Rs 2,000
|
16.
|
Bihar
|
First offence - Rs 5,000
Subsequent offence - Rs 10,000
|