Lalit Shastri

Date: Monday 3 June
Time: 5:43 pm
Place: Bhopal – First three-way intersection with roundabout between Career College and Jyoti flyover
It was a case of rage driving targeted at other drivers. On Monday evening during rush hour, when mostly the office goers were returning home, this black SUV menacingly violated the right of way of those on the through-road. Also, instead of taking the roundabout, it took a sharp right and came head-on towards my car.

When signalled to stop and reverse, the driver pointed to the hooters *** and the strobe warning LED flashing light mounted on his black SUV and both he and another person occupying the front seat gestured me to back off.

The very next movement, the driver revved up his engine and surged forward threatening to smash my vehicle head on. At that moment, I had to get down and educate this traffic violator that when it comes to 3-way intersections, vehicles on the through road have the right-of-way and also one cannot jump the roundabout and jeopardise others’ lives. The other drivers also joined in and gave a piece of their mind to this driver who had blatantly violated the traffic rules and the stubborn co-passenger who was seen making menacing and threatening gestures when the traffic had remained stranded for some time near this busy 3-way intersection. Order was restored when sense finally prevailed and the errant driver reversed his vehicle to honour the right of way of the other drivers.

*** As per the latest amendment in the Madhya
Pradesh, Motor Vehicle Rules, 1994, in the rule 185, for sub-rule (3), previously published in the Madhya Pradesh Gazette (Extra-ordinary), on 9 July 2013 as required by sub-section (1) of Section 212 of the Act, the following sub-rules are in force across the State in the context of prohibiting or restricting the use of audible signals at certain times or in certain places:
The provisions of sub-rule (1) and (2) shall not apply to the driver of a fire brigade vehicle while
proceeding to extinguish fire or the driver of an ambulance while carrying seriously ill patient
No driver of a motor vehicle shall use a siren/ooter. The provisions of this sub-rule shall not apply to the following, namely :-
(a) security vehicle engaged in escorting of Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Justice of High Court or Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly:
(b) a vehicle of the Army/Police/Executive Magistrate, when engaged in maintaining law and order situation in their jurisdiction;
(c) a fire-brigade vehicle while proceeding to extinguish fire; and
(d) an ambulance while carying a scriously ill patient.