Bhubaneswar,: Questions such as which lane is appropriate for high-speed vehicles, and which for slower ones, will now be clarified through the new system. Starting today, lane driving has officially begun within the city. From Jaydev Vihar to Nandankanan Road, a three-lane system is being introduced for buses, cars, autorickshaws, and bikes.
Traffic DCP Tapan Kumar Mohanty stated that, according to road safety rules, each lane is meant for a specific speed range. Most major city roads are six-laned, with three lanes on each side. Jaydev Vihar road has been designated with a three-lane structure.
Vehicles will now travel in lanes based on their speed, helping to reduce accidents. The lane driving system at Jaydev Vihar is expected to play a key role in ensuring road safety.
According to Additional Traffic DCP Amit Verma, many drivers were overtaking recklessly, resulting in cars scraping against each other. A survey is also being conducted to assess the traffic volume.
What is Lane Driving?
Former National Road Safety Council member Sambed Makbul Alpi explained that on national and state highways, there are clear rules regarding lane driving based on vehicle speed. The first lane (on the right, near the divider) is meant for high-speed vehicles (80+ km/h). The middle lane is designated for medium-speed vehicles (50–60 km/h), typically buses, trucks, and other heavy vehicles. The leftmost lane is meant for slow-moving or old vehicles (up to 40 km/h). If a vehicle breaks down, it can be easily moved to the side.
Lane Driving on NH Resumed but Was Abandoned
According to road safety expert Subrat Nanda, in 2020, then-Traffic DCP and Khordha SP Sagarika Nath had first introduced the lane driving system on NH-16 from Rasulgarh to Phulnakhara. At the time, detailed information about speed and lane guidelines was shared with drivers. However, after her transfer, the system was discontinued.
He emphasized that lane driving should not be restricted to the city but extended to all national (NH) and state highways (SH). Unregulated overtaking on highways by fast vehicles is a major cause of accidents. During peak hours, traffic on highways becomes chaotic.
There’s also a fourth lane on NHs, known as the “shoulder lane,” which extends 6 feet from the road’s edge and is usually marked in pink. This lane is used for emergency or breakdown vehicles. During heavy traffic, vehicles can also move into the shoulder lane if necessary.
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