Road Etiquette, Hazards, and Riding in Nepali Road Conditions
What this domain tests
This domain tests riding judgement on Nepali roads: hill highways, monsoon damage, mixed traffic, and crowded bazaars. The exam expects local hazard awareness and courtesy.
Core hazards
- Narrow hill roads with blind bends: slow down, keep left, and use the horn on blind curves. On a single-lane climb, the descending vehicle should give way where passing is difficult.
- Monsoon rain brings landslides, washed-out shoulders, and slippery painted lines. Avoid flooded sections you cannot see through.
- Livestock, pedestrians, handcarts, and overloaded buses share the road. Expect sudden stops.
- Dust and smoke reduce visibility; use a headlight and increase following distance.
Etiquette
Do not honk unnecessarily, do not splash pedestrians, and give way to ambulances and funeral processions. At a narrow bridge, enter only when the far side is clear.
Worked example
You are descending a wet hill road and meet an ascending bus on a narrow section. The safe choice is to slow early and stop at a wider point to let the bus pass. Reasoning: the bus has limited room and momentum; forcing it to reverse on a wet gradient is dangerous.
Traps that cost marks
Coasting downhill in neutral, speeding on gravel, and assuming a blind bend is clear are common. Using the horn as a substitute for slowing down is another trap.