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Road Safety
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom
(Post 3897302)
It is worth knowing, (it can be checked with the car, using reflections from something behind it) how much pressure is needed on the pedal to turn on the brake lights. It is then a very good idea to give that touch, as a signal, even if actual braking is not required.
But there is nothing that really deter the tail-gating idiots.
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I also learnt it the hard way. There is a stretch near my place where I always used engine braking to slow the car down a bit. One day, I was rear ended (in Alto) by a Verna as the guy was travelling through that stretch for the first time and didn't know that I was slowing down. From then onwards, I use brakes always and do not use engine braking anymore. With brake lights lit up, the person following prepares to stop his car and basically tries to increase the distance from your car. This is a good technique to keep tailgaters at bay and is very natural for followers to stop or slow down after seeing the brake lights lit (especially third lamp, and it happens with all of us). :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by swift_guy
(Post 3897257)
That is sad to see. I hope that no one was injured.
One advice I would give is to use the brake pedal everytime you slow down or turn or stop (obviously) because it not only makes a confident stopping move but also warns the driver behind you.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom
(Post 3897302)
It is worth knowing, (it can be checked with the car, using reflections from something behind it) how much pressure is needed on the pedal to turn on the brake lights. It is then a very good idea to give that touch, as a signal, even if actual braking is not required.
But there is nothing that really deter the tail-gating idiots.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swift_guy
(Post 3897358)
I also learnt it the hard way. There is a stretch near my place where I always used engine braking to slow the car down a bit. One day, I was rear ended (in Alto) by a Verna as the guy was travelling through that stretch for the first time and didn't know that I was slowing down. From then onwards, I use brakes always and do not use engine braking anymore.
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Simple solution to all this is just to be more aware of your surroundings ;). Looking into the IRVM and ORVMS every now and then should be enough to asses what kind braking is needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VeluM
(Post 3897208)
Happy with the Rapid because of her stability during the impact. My wife said it was quite a severe ram, and other lighter cars would have been in worse condition at best.
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Sad to see the damage done to the car, but happy that you folks are safe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by swift_guy
(Post 3897257)
One advice I would give is to use the brake pedal everytime you slow down or turn or stop (obviously) because it not only makes a confident stopping move but also warns the driver behind you.
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Second that. I consciously use the brake pedal whenever I slow down - be it a speed breaker / slow moving traffic or even during crossing an empty inter-section just to let the vehicles behind know of that I am slowing down or might slow down (in case of someone crossing the empty inter-section suddenly from no-where). This could avoid some potential rear-endings since most of the people I know of used to follow the tail-lamps of the preceding cars for braking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpcoolguy
(Post 3897617)
Second that. I consciously use the brake pedal whenever I slow down - be it a speed breaker / slow moving traffic or even during crossing an empty inter-section just to let the vehicles behind know of that I am slowing down or might slow down (in case of someone crossing the empty inter-section suddenly from no-where). This could avoid some potential rear-endings since most of the people I know of used to follow the tail-lamps of the preceding cars for braking.
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Completely agree. Also, I do put on the parking lights while i am approaching the speed breakers to make my intentions of slowing down clear while driving between 12 am -6 am on any stretch. Have found this practice very useful till date.
Quote:
Originally Posted by unleash_thunder
(Post 3897726)
Completely agree. Also, I do put on the parking lights while i am approaching the speed breakers to make my intentions of slowing down clear while driving between 12 am -6 am on any stretch. Have found this practice very useful till date.
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Not clear. Between 12am and 6am in any case headlamps will be switched on. So by default parking lights will also be on. Maybe you meant to say hazard lights??
Quote:
Originally Posted by unleash_thunder
(Post 3897726)
Completely agree. Also, I do put on the parking lights while i am approaching the speed breakers to make my intentions of slowing down clear while driving between 12 am -6 am on any stretch. Have found this practice very useful till date.
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Parking lights, at a mere 5w, mostly go unnoticed during day or early evening time. Brake lights are 3 or 4 times as powerful and are a safer solution. Brake lights are rated at 21w IIRC and you get additional benefit from third stop lamp (high mount one). Drive slow and brake early (and lightly). Some of my friends even make fun of me for this practice, they say "You stop like Delhi Metro!!". lol:
And yes I am also not clear why one won't use parking lights (+ headlights) during night hours. Using hazard lights (i.e. blinkers) is also a wrong practice.
While I am speechless at the use of hazard lights for slowing down as these self thought rules make our roads and traffic more unpredictable and dangerous, but as there is nothing which can indicate engine braking or slowing down, that's the only way to go. But it is the duty of the driver to switch them off as soon as the job is done else it will create a potential dangerous situation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by swift_guy
(Post 3897745)
Parking lights, at a mere 5w, mostly go unnoticed during day or early evening time. Brake lights are 3 or 4 times as powerful and are a safer solution. Brake lights are rated at 21w IIRC and you get additional benefit from third stop lamp (high mount one).
And yes I am also not clear why one won't use parking lights (+ headlights) during night hours.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rajivr1612
(Post 3897737)
Not clear. Between 12am and 6am in any case headlamps will be switched on. So by default parking lights will also be on. Maybe you meant to say hazard lights??
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Sorry for the typo and thanks for pointing the same out. I meant the hazard lights. I usually put on the same while approaching the speed breakers and put it off once i am ahead of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by unleash_thunder
(Post 3897751)
Sorry for the typo and thanks for pointing the same out. I meant the hazard lights. I usually put on the same while approaching the speed breakers and put it off once i am ahead of it.
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Thank you for your clarification. However, I would highly recommend you to stop this incorrect practice.
The best way as suggested earlier would be to drive slow and brake early and keep watching your rear view mirrors for any signs of "danger" coming from behind you and take evasive action if necessary.
Use of hazard lights is best left to when there is an actual hazard.
Cheers and drive safe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anvara
(Post 3897926)
Use of hazard lights is best left to when there is an actual hazard.
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In particular, there is usually no reason to switch on the hazard lights in a moving vehicle. Usage of hazard lights should restricted to stationary vehicles.
This is from an accident that happened today in front of my house. The power company had dug up the trench that you see. I was inside the house when this happened, so no idea what actually occured. The driver apparently had run away. There was a lady there, giving her version of the events. Since I cannot understand the local language if spoken too fast, I can't elaborate.
What got my goat was what happened in front of my eyes. There were two guys that were standing around the vehicle, calling the cops and all. One guy turns to the other and asks 'shall I break (it)?' and the other guy goes 'Sure,go ahead, also break the others too' nonchalantly. To my horror, the first guy picks up a basketball sized stone and throws it at the rear window!! I was like 'Woah, woah, brothers, why??' He replies in Hindi, "that guy has hit several other cars on the way" I was on the relative safety of my balcony, so didn't venture with more questions. The guy who threw the rock didn't break any more windows and slinked away.
Can we even term this vigilante justice? Or is it perverted fun at someone elses expense?
I looked again at the windshield closely, because I was thinking that the car had hit somebody due to the round indentation in it. I could see fresh mud trailing from the indentation to the ground ending up to a rock. I'm not going to draw any conclusions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nijelj
(Post 3898000)
I was thinking that the car had hit somebody due to the round indentation in it. I could see fresh mud trailing from the indentation to the ground ending up to a rock.
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Yep, along with the indentations, there are visible scraping marks (presumably fresh ones) over right rear door and fender. The driver must've done shambles, trying to flee away only to end up in that trench!
Just my speculation! stupid:
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