Entering a main road?

I have noticed that many motorists have a distinct, but irrational way of taking a turn to another road. This usually happens when a vehicle takes a turn into the main road from a side road, and in most cases defies three basic things in motor driving: good old common sense, scientific reasons and motor rules.

• Slow down/ Stop before entering a road (Common Sense)

Perhaps the most basic rule. Let us take an example - an auto rickshaw (can be any vehicle) taking a right turn to the main road from a side road usually just crosses the road and takes a customary glance over the shoulder towards the left after crossing the road! The case is even more noticeable when some one takes a turn from the left side - the turn is taken without even caring to look if there is vehicle approaching. Common sense says that the one coming from the side road should slow down or stop, watch if there is any vehicle, wait for it to pass and THEN enter the road.

• Always enter a road at right angles to it (Scientific)

I have a classified this as scientific, but this again is mostly common sense. The best visibility for a vehicle is from the front, where one does not have to really strain his/ her neck muscles to have a good view of the road being entered. For a four wheeler, this is the view from the front glass. If one needs to look through obstructing A/B-pillars and dark tinted side glass, visibility would be limited. Unobstructed and stress free view is obtained ONLY WHEN the vehicle enters a road at right angles to it. (there are some roads which enter at an angle to the road - be extra cautious in such roads - talk about scientifically designed roads!!)

• Keep left, till the turn is completed (Law/ Rule)

How many times have you noticed a vehicle (especially two wheelers) turning right from a side road, take the right side of the road being entered, continue head on against oncoming traffic, and then jump lanes to the left the moment oncoming traffic breaks? It goes without saying that such behavior is a mockery of common sense and road rules and near suicidal. The rule to be applied here is simple - LEFT IS RIGHT (on the road that is, and have no exceptions to this rule).

Want to see the above things kicked in the butt? For people from Trivandrum, observe the traffic on the road which joins the by-pass (Kazhakkuttom - Kovalam) from Aakkulam or have a look at the Technopark main entrance at morning hours on a week day!