The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) takes a significant step towards bolstering road safety by releasing comprehensive guidelines for signages on expressways and national highways. The move reflects the government’s dedication to ensuring a secure travel experience for drivers across the country.
Enhancing Visibility and Intuitive Guidance
Approved by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the guidelines prioritise incorporating best practices and world standards to improve visibility and offer intuitive guidance to drivers. The objective is to optimise the effectiveness of road signages, providing clear and concise information to facilitate safe journeys.
Streamlining Traffic Regulations
MoRTH’s review process involves evaluating existing provisions, Indian Road Congress (IRC) codes & guidelines, international practices, and functionality perspectives. This ensures streamlined traffic regulations and the creation of signages that offer crucial information, warnings, notices, and regulatory guidance.
Emphasis on Visibility and Legibility
Enhancing visibility and legibility are primary highlights of the guidelines. Proper placement of signages at appropriate heights and distances, coupled with large lettering, symbols, and short legends, ensures easy comprehension, even during adverse weather conditions.
Pictorial Depictions for Better Comprehension
To cater to diverse road users, including those with limited literacy, the guidelines propose using pictorial depictions alongside text. This approach effectively conveys essential messages, promoting better adherence to traffic regulations.
Multilingual Approach for Better Communication
Recognizing India’s linguistic diversity, the guidelines advocate a multilingual approach on road signages, using both English and regional languages. This fosters better communication with road users from different linguistic backgrounds, promoting understanding and compliance with traffic rules.
Encouraging Lane Discipline
The guidelines stress the importance of lane discipline, with strategically positioned signages offering clear and intuitive guidance. This encourages drivers to follow designated lanes, leading to reduced traffic congestion and improved traffic flow.
Phased Implementation for Highways and Expressways
The guidelines will be implemented in a phased manner on all upcoming highways, expressways, and greenfield corridors. Highways experiencing high traffic volume will be given priority for implementing these guidelines, ensuring safer and more organised road travel.
