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4.

Road Traffic Laws (4 hours)


4.1 Introduction
4.2 Evolution of traffic laws Fig: Speed Limit
biz

4.3 Traffic law in Nepal. Nepal Traffic Rules


4.4 International Traffic Rules
4.5 Nepal and Internal Driving Licenses

4.1 Introduction

Traffic on roads consists of road users including pedestrians, ridden


herded animals, vehicles, streetcars, buses and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public
way for purposes of travel. Traffic laws are the laws which govern traffic and regulate vehicles, while rules of the
road are both the laws and the informal rules that may have developed over time to facilitate the orderly and timely
flow of traffic.
Organized traffic generally has well-established priorities, lanes, right-of-way, and traffic control at intersections.
Traffic is formally organized in many jurisdictions, with marked lanes, junctions, intersections, interchanges, traffic
signals, or signs. Traffic is often classified by type: heavy motor vehicle (e.g., car, truck), other vehicle (e.g., moped,
bicycle), and pedestrian. Different classes may share speed limits and easement, or may be segregated. Some
jurisdictions may have very detailed and complex rules of the road while others rely more on drivers' common sense
and willingness to cooperate.
Organization typically produces a better combination of travel safety and efficiency. Events which disrupt the flow
and may cause traffic to degenerate into a disorganized mess include road construction, collisions, and debris in the
roadway. On particularly busy freeways, a minor disruption may persist in a phenomenon known as traffic waves. A
complete breakdown of organization may result in traffic congestion and gridlock. Simulations of organized traffic
frequently involve queuing theory, stochastic processes and equations of mathematical physics applied to traffic
flow.

4.2 Evolution of traffic laws

For thousands of years, mankind found ways of transporting themselves for survival. Transportation has always
impacted the way humans interacted with each other. The advent of the automobile revolutionized this
interaction by creating new opportunities that would benefit us economically, socially, and recreationally. As a
result, it changed the American landscape and life as we knew it. The benefits of mobility came with new risks
that also changed the way we viewed transportation. Automobiles gave individuals the power to transport
themselves at unmatched speed and power. In the early 20th century, Americans began to see an increased rate
of traffic deaths and injuries that caused many to express concern. Physicians, safety experts, engineers, and
journalists convened to find out the cause of the accidents, injuries, and deaths that came with all of this traffic.
Cars and their use were given a fresh look, and efforts arose that would retain the right to drive a car while
reducing the tragic consequences of getting behind the wheel. It took decades to design traffic laws that would
control driver behavior and increase safety features that would minimize these risk factors.
In the early 1910s, traffic safety experts brainstormed ways of improving driver behavior. During this decade,
there were increased instances of driver misconduct, such as speeding and reckless driving. Drunk driving was
also a big problem that resulted in multiple collisions and fatalities. Unfortunately, this became a problem for
pedestrians. These new problems required a social response for controlling the way people behaved when they
got in the drivers seat. The National Safety Council further addressed these issues during the 1920s by
compiling accident statistics and holding conferences. They went on a mission to increase public awareness that
would promote careful driving. Early efforts arose to control driver behavior through various traffic laws and
traffic signals. In 1923, Garrett Morgan patented a traffic signal that stopped vehicles in both directions to
change the direction of traffic flow. This developed into what it is commonly known as a stoplight.
Municipalities also introduced strict rules and fines. They also instituted criminal punishment for severe
offenses, such as drunk driving. Americans failed to acknowledge technological flaws until the late 1920s.
Manufacturers eventually addressed design flaws that compromised safety, such as adding four-wheel brakes
and shatter-resistant windshields.
In the 1930s, automakers developed a market response to actively promote new safety features, such as all-steel
frames and hydraulic brakes. Auto makers assured motorists that the automobiles of the time were completely
safe. At the same time, industry representatives argued that licensing drivers, improving roads, and regulating
traffic would prevent accidents. Auto makers failed to install seat belts, energy-absorbing columns, and padded
dashboards even though these devices existed during the 1930s.
During the early 1950s, physicians and university professors introduced a scientific approach to resolving auto
safety problems through crash testing. Crash testing at university sites pinpointed common design flaws. In
addition, crash testing revealed the causes and effects of bodily impact when a collision occurred. These tests
convinced people that seat belts and padded dashboards would decrease the number of fatalities that came with
a head-on collision. Manufacturers introduced those safety features in most cars by 1956.
In the late 1950s to early 1960s, elected officials studied the scientific findings from university crash tests,
which prompted many state legislatures to pass laws that required seat belts and seat belt anchors in new cars.
This new initiative grew into a government response to automobile safety. In 1966, Congress authorized the
federal government to get involved with auto safety standards for new cars. Two years later, seat belts, padded
dashboards, and other safety features became mandatory equipment in all new vehicles.
Motorists defied these traffic safety laws at first; however, by the 1990s, seat belts became widely accepted.
This was due in part to safety campaigns that emphasized the importance of buckling up. In addition, state laws
forced motorists to comply with mandatory seat belt laws. By 1998, the federal government also required every
motor vehicle to have airbags as standard equipment. Auto manufacturers forced technological change that
would make the automobile itself a first line of defense in an accident well into the 21st century.

4.3 Traffic law in Nepal. Nepal Traffic Rules

20 RULES OF THE ROAD FOR NEPALI DRIVERS


Here are 20 unwritten rules of the road for drivers in Nepal:

Rule 1: There are no rules

Rule 2: Cows have priority

Rule 3: All traffic drives on the left

Rule 4: Except for traffic which drives on the right

Rule 5: And the traffic which drives in the middle

Rule 6: Instead of seat belts, wear a garland of flowers, or a feng shui amulet which offer better protection.

Rule 7: If you are driving a truck, paint 'No Kiss' or 'Horn Please' on the back

Rule 8: Might is right


Rule 9: Set up a small shrine (Buddha, Ganesha, Shiva, Sai Baba, or all four). This ensures that if the worst thing
happens, you will get to heaven faster.

Rule 10: You should only overtake on the right, or the left, or over, or under.

Rule 11: Multi-tasking whilst driving is compulsory. Beginners may drive, chew tobacco/smoke and talk
on the mobile phone. Advanced drivers may do all three plus enjoy a 3-course meal, drink a bottle of local wine, sing a
song and watch a video film.

Rule 12: Signalling before a turn is considered bad fom. Surprises are more fun

Rule 13: When driving at night, headlights should be kept at a) full beam to blind oncoming drivers, or b) switched
off (see reference to 'surprises' in Rule 12)

Rule 14: Checking to see if there is oncoming traffic before overtaking is considered the behaviour of a wimp.

Rule 15: If a road is blocked, the hard shoulder may be used as a road.

Rule 16: If both the road and the hard shoulder are blocked, the pavement may be used as a road

Rule 17: Do not run over pedestrians, roadside vendors, scooters and cyclists, unless necessary.

Rule 18: Drive like yours is the only vehicle on the road, and that no one else exists.

Rule 19: Stopping in the middle of the road to chat to friends, or to relieve oneself, is perfectly okay.

Rule 20: Road signs and road markings are merely municipal decorations and not to be given any attention.

Traffic rules are the rules given by traffic police for the protection or for the safe driving which can prevent accidents.

It is most important rules for the driver to make his/her driving safe. All citizen and drivers should follow traffic rules.

Traffic rules are symbolized by different forms. Here are some of the traffic rules and their symbol:

This symbol indicates that there is a right


turning ahead of you. So turn right.
Source:

www.roadtrafficsigns.com
Fig: Turn Right

It indicates that horn is restricted in this


area. So do not horn.
Source:
www.nagpurpulse.com

Fig: No Horn

This symbol indicates that U-turn is


prohibited in this turning. So do not U-turn.
Source:

www.seton.com
Fig: No U-Turn
It indicates that ahead there is a crossroad.
Roads are joint ahead so drive slow.
Source:

www.freeclipartnow.com Fig: Cross Road

This symbolindicates that parking is


prohibited. So do not park in this area.
Source:

cliparts.co
Fig: No Parking

It indicates that there ahead there is a


narrow road. So drive slowly and carefully.
Source:

www.123rf.com
Fig: Narrow Road

It indicates that there is a broken road


ahead. So drive slow and carefully.
Source:

rayelicious.blogspot.com
Fig: Uneven
Road

This symbol indicates that road is under


construction. So drive carefully.
Source: www.zsnyrany.cz

Fig: Roadworks

It indicates that we should cross a road by a


zebra crossing. So do not cross the road
from anywhere.
Source: steve-
lovelace.com

Fig: Zebra Crossing

This symbol indicates that there is a double


curve or double turn ahead of you. So drive
carefully.
Source:

pixabay.com
Fig: Double Curve

It indicates that school area is ahead. So


drive slow and carefully.
Source: www.moglix.com

Fig: School Area


This symbolindicates that this is a restricted
area. So do not enter.
Source: all-free-
download.com

Fig: No Entry

This symbol represent speed limit, drive up


to 50 km per hour. Do not cross the

Source:
www.drivingtesttips.

4.5 Nepal and Internal Driving Licenses

A. Nepal Driving licences

Process for getting a driving license in Nepal :

1. Basic Training for driving should be received at home.


2. Advanced Training should be received for driving at home -or- at training center to be perfect.
3. A Form should be filled up in Transportation Center ( Yayayat Bivag) which may cost about
Rs.300
4. A Written Test must be given and more than 12 out of 20 questions should be correct. (Must
be studied)
5. Practical Driving Test should be given and should not fail it at first try.
6. Later you are called to receive license (Now the new license is provided with chip and digital data
in it - Like a Smart Card)
7. Tax and few extra fee is charged while receiving License and after we sign it we will get it. (But
should be renewed in time)

In short the process to issue a license in nepal are listed below

1. First of all youll have to go to the transportation office of your area(ekantakuna for Ktm valley.)
and fill up a form. Youll also have to give your medical test there before submitting the form.
2. Then once your form is confirmed then your probably the next day will be the day for your
written exam. If you know the basic rules of road and traffic then this wont be much of a
headache. On the same day in the evening the results will be published and the next day will be
your Trial test.
3. In Kathmandu Trail test is taken in Baneshwor for motorbike apparently. Youll have to go to the
trial test and if you pass then you will issue a chit of clearance.
4. After minimum of one week youll finally have to go to the transportation office sumit the chit,
pay the tax and issue the license.
Note: I issued my license around 2 years back so there might be some slight changes in the procedures.

The expenses can be listed as follows:


Around Rs.50 for medical test
Around Rs.10 for the form.
Rs. 200 tax
Around Rs. 50 when you go for trial test.
If you pass both written exam and trial then youll have to pay approx Rs.700 tax to issue your
license finally.

B. International Driving Licence:

What Are International Driving Permits?


The International Driving Permit (IDP), often (and incorrectly) referred to as International Driving License, is a
document that, along with your valid home driver's license, allows you to legally drive a motor vehicle while abroad.
Understand that an IDP does NOT REPLACE your U.S.-issued driver's license; rather, it acts as a language
translation of your driver's license and features your:
Full name.
Photograph.
Relevant driver information.
The following requirements and restrictions apply:
You must:

Be at least 18 years old to apply.


Carry BOTH your IDP and your valid driver's license when driving abroad.
Obtain your IDP in the same country that issued your driver's license.
You may NOT use your IDP to drive within the country in which it was issued.
Your IDP is valid, with a valid U.S. driver's license, for up to 1 year from the date it's issued.

You cannot renew your IDP, but we can apply for a new permit when necessary.
Apply for an International Driving Permit
For citizens of the United States, the U.S. government requires you apply for an International Driving Permit with
either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA).
Again, you must be 18 years old or older with a valid U.S. driver's license to apply for an IDP.
Both agencies thoroughly outline their application requirements on their forms, but basic application instructions
include:
Completing the appropriate IDP application.

AAA application.
AATA application.
Presenting your valid U.S.-issued driver's license.

If the agency allows you to apply by mail, you must send a photocopy of both sides of your driver's license.
Producing (or mailing) 2 photos of yourself.

These photos must be passport-sized and signed on the back.


Making the applicable payment.

Payments vary depending on the shipping method, destination, and processing time and are listed on the applications.
Correctly submitting your application.
Generally, you can submit your application and other documents in person or via mail; inquire about online submission options
with the specific agency.
Additionally, you might be able to apply while you're already abroad. Contact the agency for details.
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Avoiding IDP Fraud
Unfortunately, numerous organizations sell fake International Driving Permits, and most of them charge much
more than the regular fee; so, by falling prey to these scam companies, not only will you lose money, but also you'll
end up with a fake documentsomething you don't want to show up with after traveling to your destination country.
Remember, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are
the only organizations approved for issuing IDPs.
If you believe you've been sold a fake International Driving Permit, report the fraud using the FTC Complaint
Assistant.
Learn the Rules of the Road
As a driver in a foreign country, it's crucial you understand the local rules of the road. Naturally, actions like drunk
driving and distracted driving are dangerous anywhere in the world, but what about other specific laws?
Gathering such information from across the globe can seem intimidating, so your safest bet is to check with the
country's embassy or consulates within the United States. You can find the appropriate embassy on the State
Department's guide to Web Sites of Foreign Embassies in the U.S., and if these agencies can't provide you with driving
regulations, they can point you in the direction of where to find them.
Foreign Drivers in the United States
You must have a valid driver license to drive in the United Statesespecially if you plan to rent a car, which is
common among foreign visitors.
However, requirements for holding International Driving Permits and other official documents vary by state; some
require them and some don't. Play it safe by contacting the motor vehicle agency for the state(s) in which you plan to
drive. These agencies also can help you learn the rules of the road while you're here.
Of course, some IDP and other license requirements depend on how long you plan to stay in the U.S.such as, for
example, if you're a short-time visitor versus a non-citizen resident. We'll help you learn the differences on our guide
to driving in the United States.

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