Traffic Rules (and Indori Assumptions)

Prelude – Yay! Always wanted to use that word 😁. This blog was originally a comment I made on one of the traffic blogs, but since it turned out to be quite a lengthy comment, I thought I’d post it on my blog as well!

Rules are meant to be broken. Whoever said that was definitely not talking about traffic rules. I named this blog “Indori Assumptions” because I am from Indore and I used to be very ‘decent’ on my bike there. But then again, ‘decent’ from an Indori perspective.

Here in Bangalore, I have already been fined thrice! 😁 I’ve come to the conclusion that even if you follow all the traffic rules, since some of them come with a few ‘Indori’ assumptions, you may still get fined in other cities. So here are the three assumptions that landed me in an interaction with the Bangalore traffic police:

1. Yellow is Green!

Yellow is actually a red signal for all the vehicles that are yet to move beyond the zebra crossing. Only the vehicles that managed to cross the zebra crossing (while the signal was green) should be on the move when the signal turns yellow.

Indori Assumption

The traffic policeman turns on the yellow light when he is leaving for home. To us, yellow has nothing to do with being between red and green. In fact, we believe you can continue moving forward for the first few seconds of red as well 😉. Oh, and by the way, what is a zebra crossing?

2. Left is free

I have never seen a traffic signal specifically for a left turn in Indore. In bigger cities with heavier traffic, left turns are not free, and you can only take the turn when the signal is green.

Indori Assumption

“Bhiya left se nikaal lo!”

3. What’s in the numbers?

Some areas in the city have a rule that allows parking only on particular dates or days. For example, you have to park on the left side of the road on odd-numbered dates and on the right side on even-numbered dates. There are also areas where you cannot park on weekends or holidays.

Indori Assumption

One can park anywhere one feels like or finds a suitable space. If you are at a place only for 5-10 minutes, you can park in a “No Parking” zone as well 😎

I have been penalized for these three assumptions. I hope there are no other assumptions left in my ‘Indori’ mind, because each one costs me at least Rs. 100 every time 🙂