4 Reasons Why American Travellers Must Understand Indian Traffic Rules

India is a land like richly woven tapestry, where each thread displays a different texture, colour, and pattern. Still, they all come together to form an incredible masterpiece of culture and history. 

No wonder the country welcomes millions of foreign tourists every year. In the first half of 2024 itself, nearly 4.8 million foreign tourists crossed the Indian borders. From where? The two top-ranking countries were the United States and Bangladesh.

Many Americans are first time travellers to India and often spend weeks or months exploring the country’s diverse cultural heritage. While they can avail of the closely connected public transport system, India also offers the opportunity to rent cars. 

That will surely provide tourists with flexibility in their schedules and the freedom to explore desired attractions. If you plan to do the same, it is imperative to get to know India’s traffic rules properly, as they are wildly different from the rules back home in the USA.

Here are four compelling reasons why American travellers must understand Indian traffic rules before renting a car or a bike.

Confidence in a New Driving Environment 

The opportunity to drive in a whole new land is definitely thrilling, and not too difficult things to do the advent of technologies like the GPS. However, thre is more to driving in a foreign land, especially India. Driving in a new country is only about getting familiar with the routes. It is also about grappling with the uncertainty that comes with not knowing what to expect.

There are quite a number of differences in the traffic rules of the two countries. One example would be the right of way. The US drives on the right side of the road, which means right-of-way is typically favoured for vehicles on the right. 

In India, it is the complete opposite, where the right-of-way is given to vehicles on the left. This is because the driver’s seat is on the right. Not understanding these differences beforehand can create a lot of confusion. 

It may still feel a bit strange in practice, at least initially. Gradually, you will feel more prepared and confident to make informed decisions. Knowledge is a powerful weapon that replaces nervousness with confidence. It will help build your trust in your driving skills as you familiarize yourself with Indian roads, signage, etc. 

Safety and Accident Reduction 

As American travellers gain confidence in a new driving environment, they contribute to enhanced safety and fewer road crashes. Road accidents across Indian states are also on the rise. Currently, the states that pose the highest risk include Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. 

Driving in India is especially dangerous due to a combination of factors like – 

• Poor road infrastructure when compared to America, especially in rural or semi-developed areas 
• A lack of traffic discipline 
• A chaotic mix of small and large vehicles sharing the same space 
• A dearth of proper pedestrian infrastructure 
• A relatively less rigorous procedure for obtaining a driver’s license 

It’s more or less every man for himself. This means all visitors from abroad will ensure their safety as well as others by educating themselves on the country’s traffic rules. You will gain a better understanding of lane usage, traffic flow, pedestrian priorities, etc. 

Preparedness for Unforeseen Legal Consequences 

Sometimes, the legal repercussions of a road accident may be worse than the event itself. A part of understanding Indian traffic rules also involves knowing the possible legal outcomes in case of a violation or accident. 

They may be vastly different from the US. Allow us to explain using an example. Suppose a car driver is zipping across one of America’s most dangerous cities in terms of traffic accidents, St. Louis. There’s been a steady uptick in crashes here, particularly involving pedestrians, since 2021. 

When an accident occurs, the immediate aftermath may involve fatalities or gruesome injuries. However, there is often a legal aspect requiring the intervention of a St. Louis car accident lawyer. They will help the victim(s) navigate insurance negotiations and legal complexities. 

However, TorHoerman Law shares that a case must be filed within five years from the date of the accident. Unfortunately, delays could make the victim lose their right to pursue compensation. This process may be more long-drawn in India due to a complex legal framework and case load. 

Moreover, the country follows a strict liability as opposed to Missouri’s comparative negligence. This means the liable party will have to compensate in India regardless of whether they were at fault or not. 

Even in terms of traffic rules violations, the Indian penalty system is much more severe. For instance, a driver may have points added to their driver’s license for a violation in St. Louis. On the other hand, they may have to pay hefty fines or risk being imprisoned for the same in India. 

Knowing the traffic rules beforehand will keep you safe from such unforeseen legal consequences. 

Ability to Deal with Problematic Traffic Flow 

If you’ve been driving for a while, you know how a single driver out of order is enough to disrupt the entire flow of traffic. A sudden brake can act as a shock wave that creates localized bottlenecks, causing the vehicles behind to slow down. 

It only proceeds to cause a chain reaction, thereby disturbing the overall flow of traffic. India already has a traffic congestion problem across several cities. Among its slowest are Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Pune. Delhi is not behind too.

The waiting period in traffic jams can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours in these cities. That’s how the scenario normally is. Now imagine if a driver were to cause a localized bottleneck due to an aggressive lane change or unawareness of traffic rules. 

The situation can quickly escalate into a full-blown jam that may even lead to conflicts with other drivers. All of this was to encourage you not to be that driver. Understand the key traffic rules and differences beforehand so you can – 

• Avoid creating confusion 
• Prevent prolonged jams, delays, and even accidents 
• Experience better coordination with other drivers 
• Steer clear of abrupt maneuvers that may disrupt the traffic flow 

Finally, it is importoant to go through different sources that will help you gather info about Indian traffic rules. Look through reliable government websites like India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. 

You can also check the US Department of State – Travel Advisory for India. Don’t forget to browse some good travel forums and blogs for additional info. Travel vlogs and videos also help get a visual idea of what the roads and traffic conditions look like. 

Disclaimer: This is a paid guest post by TorHoerman Law.