Shillong: The administration in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district has officially announced a comprehensive set of traffic regulations aimed at enhancing road safety and improving the flow of vehicles throughout the region.
These new rules, mandated under the authority of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and the Meghalaya Police Act of 2010, are now in effect for all types of vehicles.
A key aspect of the updated guidelines involves clearly defined speed limits tailored to different vehicles and road conditions. Drivers of private cars and motorcycles must not exceed 80 kilometers per hour, while heavier vehicles like trucks and buses are limited to a maximum of 60 kilometers per hour.
When navigating road curves, all vehicles are required to reduce their speed to between 30 and 40 kilometers per hour, depending on their size and category. Furthermore, a uniform speed limit of 20 kilometers per hour is imposed on all vehicles at junctions and pedestrian crossings.
The new regulations place a strong emphasis on lane discipline and safe turning practices. Drivers are instructed to consistently drive on the left side of the road, allowing vehicles approaching from the opposite direction to pass on their right. When executing turns, the use of indicators is mandatory, and drivers must position their vehicles appropriately – maintaining a leftward position for left turns and moving closer to the center of the road before making a right turn.
Overtaking maneuvers are now subject to stricter rules. Drivers are permitted to overtake only when the road ahead is clear and visibility is good. Overtaking is strictly forbidden in situations where it could be risky, if the road ahead is obstructed, or if another vehicle has already begun to overtake. Importantly, drivers being overtaken must not increase their speed or impede the overtaking vehicle in any manner.
Heightened caution is mandated at road junctions, crossings, and curves, where drivers must reduce their speed and proceed only when it is unequivocally safe. At intersections without signals, vehicles on the main road or those approaching from the right are to be given priority. Pedestrians are granted the right of way at all zebra crossings, and vehicles are prohibited from driving on footpaths or cycle tracks under any circumstances.
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, fire engines, and police cars, are to be given immediate and unimpeded right of way by all other vehicles. Upon seeing or hearing an approaching emergency vehicle, drivers must move to the side of the road to allow them to pass without any delay.
The notification also specifies where parking is restricted. Parking is not allowed near road bends, junctions, pedestrian crossings, and traffic lights. Vehicles must not be parked on footpaths, near schools or hospitals, or opposite another parked vehicle in a way that causes an obstruction. Parking is also prohibited on national highways, in areas near fire hydrants, and on roads marked with continuous white lines.
Driving against the designated flow of traffic on one-way roads is now strictly forbidden. All motorists are required to adhere to the directions given by traffic police and displayed on signboards at all times. Reversing a vehicle is permitted only for short distances necessary for maneuvering and only when it does not endanger or inconvenience other road users.
The regulations address noise and vehicle condition as well. Drivers are instructed to refrain from using horns unnecessarily, especially in silence zones around schools and hospitals. The use of loud or multi-tone horns, cut-outs, and noisy mufflers is also prohibited. Furthermore, all vehicle registration plates must be clearly visible and not obstructed by any goods or attachments.
Additional safety rules have been outlined, including the requirement for vehicles traveling on mountain or steep roads to yield to those ascending. Drivers must also maintain a safe following distance and avoid sudden braking unless absolutely necessary. Vehicles are required to reduce their speed to 25 kilometers per hour when passing processions, military personnel, or road repair workers. The transportation of hazardous materials is prohibited, with the exception of essential fuel and lubricants.
The district administration has made it clear that any failure to comply with these new traffic regulations will result in strict legal action, as per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and other relevant laws. All road users are strongly urged to adhere to these rules to ensure the safety of the public and the smooth movement of traffic within Ri-Bhoi district.
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