Here’s a question for you- Are traffic rules for our safety or just an unwanted disturbance? You must have hated traffic rules at some point in your life, especially while paying a hefty fine for just not carrying a pollution certificate or having tinted glasses on your ride. But, here’s the thing, these rules are only meant to ensure road safety and simultaneously promote responsible and safe riding/driving.
And, as with everything else Indian, there are some weird traffic rules that you might not have heard about. Did you know, wearing a slipper or sandal while riding a geared motorcycle or scooter can attract a hefty fine?! Let’s find out more about this traffic rule.
‘No slippers while riding’ rule
Under the amended Motor Vehicles Act 2019, you can be fined ₹1,000 for riding a geared motorcycle while wearing chappals/sandals. Notably, repeat offenders could even face jail time of 15 days.
Had there been no traffic rules, there would have been a greater risk of road accidents, causing chaos on the road. Similarly, this ‘No slipper while riding’ rule is meant to ensure a safer riding experience, even though it may seem quite inconsequential.
The logic behind this rule is that chappals/sandals lack proper grip, leading to interference with gear shifting and breaking. Incidentally, this could potentially lead to accidents and other safety hazards. Apart from this, riding any motored two-wheeler with chappals/sandals can cause severe injuries during a fall as the feet are not protected.
So, what’s the alternative?
Ideally, everyone should wear motorcycle boots while riding a geared two-wheeler in the interest of safety. However, that may not be practical for most, so wearing any type of shoes that can cover your feet entirely and offer sufficient grip will also do.
So, the next time you hit the road on your scooter or bike, make sure to wear shoes and follow all the traffic rules coz’ they are for your own safety.