Delhi Police Act, 1978 | Chapter X

Section 80 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978: Disregarding the Rules of the Road

Section 80 regulates basic conduct on streets and in public places. It addresses keeping to the left, passing vehicles travelling in the same direction, and leaving animals or vehicles without adequate care or security.

At a glance: Section 80 forms part of Chapter X, "Offences and Punishments", of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 (Act 34 of 1978). It contains two distinct prohibitions, set out in clauses (a) and (b).

Text of Section 80

80. Disregarding the rules of the road.--No person shall--

(a) when driving a vehicle along a street (except in cases of actual necessity or of some other sufficient reason for deviation) fail to keep on the left side of such street and when passing any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction fail to keep on the right side of such vehicle; or

(b) leave in any street or public place insufficiently tended or secured any animal or vehicle.

Source: Delhi Police Act, 1978, official India Code text (PDF).

Meaning and scope of Section 80

Clause (a): Keeping left and passing another vehicle

Clause (a) requires a person driving a vehicle along a street to keep to the left, subject to an exception where there is actual necessity or another sufficient reason to deviate. It also requires a driver passing another vehicle travelling in the same direction to pass on that vehicle's right side. The exception stated in the clause concerns deviation from keeping left; it should not be read as blanket permission to overtake unsafely or disregard other applicable traffic rules.

Clause (b): Animals and vehicles left without sufficient care

Clause (b) prohibits leaving an animal or vehicle in a street or public place without sufficient tending or securing. Whether care or securing is sufficient depends on the circumstances. The provision covers animals as well as vehicles and is not confined to motor vehicles.

Section 80 should be read alongside the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (official India Code PDF) where motor vehicles are concerned. In particular:

Section 118: empowers the Central Government to make driving regulations for motor vehicles.
Section 119: requires drivers to obey mandatory traffic signs, applicable driving regulations and lawful directions of police officers regulating traffic.
Section 122: prohibits leaving a motor vehicle or trailer in a position or condition likely to cause danger, obstruction or undue inconvenience to others.
Section 127: addresses removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended in public places in the circumstances specified by that section.

These provisions have their own statutory requirements. A breach of Section 80 does not automatically establish a breach of every corresponding provision of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Penalty and enforcement

Section 80 defines prohibited conduct rather than stating a separate punishment within its own text. Section 97 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 is the related penalty provision for offences under Sections 80 to 96. The applicable consequence should be checked against the current statutory text, amendments and the facts of the alleged contravention. Separate motor vehicle offences may carry different consequences.

Practical examples

A driver proceeding along a street ordinarily must keep left unless an actual necessity or other sufficient reason justifies deviation.
When passing a vehicle moving in the same direction, the statutory rule in clause (a) refers to passing on its right, subject also to applicable motor vehicle driving regulations.
A vehicle left unsecured in a public place, or an animal left without adequate tending, may raise issues under clause (b), depending on the circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

Does Section 80 apply only to cars?

No. Section 80 uses the word "vehicle" and clause (b) also expressly refers to animals. Application to particular facts depends on the statutory definitions and context.

Can a driver ever deviate from the left side?

Clause (a) expressly recognises actual necessity or another sufficient reason for deviation from keeping left. Other applicable traffic requirements must still be observed.

Does Section 80 itself specify a fine?

No separate fine is specified in the wording of Section 80. The related penalty provision is Section 97 of the Delhi Police Act.

Official legal references

Delhi Police Act, 1978 - official India Code PDF (Sections 80 and 97).
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 - official India Code PDF (Sections 118, 119, 122 and 127).
Delhi Police - Acts and Rules.

Legal information updated 19 October 2026. This article explains statutory provisions generally; verify the latest amendments, notifications and applicable rules before relying on them in a particular case.