[NomadSK]

In addition to the interesting rules others have shared,

Few rules which I follow;

- Strictly zero mobile phone policy, in-fact it goes in focus mode and everything gets muted, no distraction and there's nothing which can't wait, (surprised none had this in their don't list),

- Always have the car in my control, never go over the limits,

- Stay far far away from trouble makers,

- No loose objects in the car,

- No tailgating ever, with diminishing reflexes I keep 3/4 seconds gap,

- If anytime exit is missed, move on to the next one,

- Plan taking the exit well in advance,

- Staying out of blind spots,

- No sudden lane changes, gradual change with a glance in OVRM,

- On highways - No continuous fast lane driving, only using it for overtaking,

- In city - using the fast lane when traffic density is more and with relatively slow moving traffic, that keeps me as a driver closer to the concrete median barrier, much safer, as I have to be cautious only on one side (far end) of the car, reduced work load,

- Maintaining enough space cushion around the car as much as possible,

- Keep an eye on the traffic around 400m ahead of me, that's where I will be in sometime,

- Keep an eye on the rear brake lights on the top of the car, at times the normal brake lights are hidden due to the car in front, now I know why this location is so important,

- Start slowing down as soon as the hazard lighting is noticed, it indicates here rapid deacceleration ahead,

- Always have an escape plan just in case of an emergency,

- Being courteous to others and No honking (I rarely honk even while driving in India, even if I do its a microsecond burst),

- Once in a while glancing at the temperature/fuel/charging needle,

- Staying just below the speed limits,

- Easing off from the pedal at signal controlled junction even when its green, have seen enough morons,

- During my daily drive to work, I have noticed few design related deficiency on the roads and observed accidents and near misses at the location, so being extra cautious well in advance pays off.

- Last but not the least, having basic tools in the car including a cheap OBD scanner.

[srvm]

Most of my Do's & don'ts have been covered already (such as clean car, all people belted-up, no eating inside the car etc.). I will only add two more that I follow religiously.

1. I do not mind passengers sleeping in the car while I drive, including the front passenger. But I'm loathe to YAWNING by passengers since it is contagious - particularly front passenger. Usually it is my wife in that seat, and I have strictly told her, that either she has to cover her mouth entirely if she is about to yawn or go off to sleep


2. KIIF method in highways (Keep Idiots In Front). I let impatient drivers that I notice on my rear view mirrors overtake me. Its easier to keep an eye on them when they are in front.

[lapis_lazuli]

1) No food, drink or smoke in the vehicle
2) Seat belt must front passenger
3) DON'T TOUCH THE RADIO
4) Ask if you need to alter the temperature.
5) No request to increase speed.
6) Talk, but keep it down. I need to listen to the surroundings too...

[dust-n-bones]

Originally Posted by Skyline_GT

6. I love when passengers including the one on the front seat is asleep because then I can drive in peace!

Originally Posted by ike

• I'm OK and used to my passengers sleeping while I'm driving.

Originally Posted by Swapnil4585

9. I don't mind fellow passengers to take a nap / sleep at any point in the drive.

While I agree with most of the points, I would like to highlight this one about passengers (specially the one on the front passenger seat) nodding off.

I used to be flexible about this as well. And then on a long drive I went drowsy for a second while my co-passenger slept, and I cought myself veering away from my lane. It could have gone horribly wrong, thankfully didn't.

And I wonder if I had insisted the co-passenger to be awake, she could have caught my alertness levels go down and advised rest.

To each his own, but I would like everyone to consider this more carefully.

[ike]

Originally Posted by dust-n-bones

And I wonder if I had insisted the co-passenger to be awake, she could have caught my alertness levels go down and advised rest.

That's putting your and your passenger's lives in the hands of an individual. You shouldn't be out driving in the first place if you are likely to fall asleep at the wheel.

[Kar_Om]

- Drive at reasonable speed, around 80Km/h on highway.
- Maintain sufficient distance from vehicle ahead.
- Seat belts for front and rear passenger.
- Keep long journey as day journey and start early morning.
- Keep music volume at medium to have conversations in car as well as to be aware of surroundings.
- Use horn while overtaking to give indication to other vehicle driver.
- Have light food during long journeys to avoid feeling sleepy.

[locusjag]

My 3 prime rules:
1) Know (i.e., anticipate) what other road users are going to do next (examples - an autorickshaw with/without a fare will be driven in predictable manner, a RE bike with a rider in full riding gear will be ridden in a sane manner whilst the same bike with a youth sporting a mohawk haircut will be ridden a certain way etc.)
2) Always drive in a manner that makes my moves predictable for other road user (example - If i'm in a 4 laned road with 2 lanes in each direction and a bus stops in front of me, I will not just change lanes willy nilly to get past the bus. I will stop and wait for the bus to move again. Only if there aren't any other vehicles in the next lane, I will shift lane.)
3) Let the other driver/pedestrian have their way - this rules out any confusions and accidents. This also makes the overall road-use experience of everyone that much more pleasant in a world that is usually selfish and heartless.

[Geo_Ipe]

Great thread - a lot of good points have been discussed already!

When driving on the highways, I always try to find a Sweeper whom I can follow. So who is a sweeper? It is a vehicle you can follow at a safe distance, and he/she inadvertently sweeps the road clear of obstacles and other factors.

Let me give you examples. If the sweeper hits the brakes, I know he's seen something so I take the foot off my gas. If he accelerates again, I know that the obstacle has been overcome, and I can accelerate too. If he is slowing down, then I also got the brakes and slow down. Later I may get to know that the obstacle was a two wheeler waiting to cross the road, a cow or anything of that sort. All I have to do is follow my sweeper, he takes care of the rest.

However, you have to be careful when choosing a sweeper.
- He should be cruising at a speed comfortable for you to follow. Too fast/slow vehicles are out.
- He should be a reasonably safe driver. No cutting across lanes and aggressive overtaking.
- Should ideally have a nice rear profile as I'll be looking at it for some time!

[nikhilarni]

Interesting thread.

The main two rules I was told when my dad handed me the car keys for the first time were:

1. The Car is a Machine that can kill ( either you or someone else ) if you are careless or disrespect it. Always respect it.

2. Drive at a speed that your passengers are comfortable and they should be the ones vouching to ride along with you.

Many fellow members have stated Rule #2, in different variations. But its essentially the same. No crazy antics esp with passengers around.

Some of the other ones I try to follow ( but not always possible are)

1. Avoid eating. I don't mind liquids ( water, tetra packs or something from a spill proof container )

2. Try to keep myself level headed. Esp while driving in India. I always tell myself that I am privileged to be able to drive my car and shouldn't get into any scuffle with pedestrians, rikshaw or taxi driver. I just let them pass. Those guys are driving for their livelihood, no maturity in competing with them.

3. When in a group, I try to keep or steer the conversations to lighter topics ( avoiding any serious discussions or debates ). Just keeps the mood light.

[Phantom 510]

Driving rule
1. Buckle up.
2. Maintain distance.
3. Not go out of lane to avoid pothole.
4. Keep scanning everyone out on the road.
5. Anticipate braking and use it judiciously.
6. Not go full throttle at night, it's best avoided.
7. Keep taking breaks every two hrs on longer drives.

[Aakash]

Some of the rules I follow which make my drive peaceful:

1) Set a cruising speed and stick by it. I know what speed I and my machine are capable of. I’ll stick to it.

2) Middle lane for cruising. Left for overtaking (or right in India) only. I’m not planning on keeping my car floored on the fast lane.

3) Keep rock music off the playlist. Music alters your mood. At least mine, I’ve noticed I drive enthusiastically when I listen to rock music so that is off the playlist during a road trip.

4) Attend nature’s call when nature calls irrespective of where you are. No, don’t piss on the fields but try hygienic places if you can.

5) Spicy food off the menu. I don’t need nature’s call of the wild during a spirited drive.

6) No smoking in my car. I’m a smoker, my friends are smokers but you’ll not smoke in the car or you’re walking to the destination. We’ll take smoke breaks if needed.

7) Keep the rage off the face. I’ve got a mean face even if I don’t try. People on the roads are stupid at times. Learn to not react to it. Smile and wave boys.

8) Always know there are people with bigger and faster cars than your own. Stick to your car’s limits and don’t push your own. You’ll end up killing yourself if you let ego takeover your sanity.

9) I’ll pullover if I have to stretch. You’re welcome to join me every few hours

10) Don’t forget to have fun.

[BravoMike]

I have few rules that i stick by. In no particular order

1. If you have to reach a place by certain time, leave at least 15 mins earlier than required
2. 3 Digit speed is only for few seconds to overtake
3. Take breaks every 3-4 hours
4. Do not give into road rage. if someone is raging maintain safe distance from the idiot
5. Heavy vehicles are difficult to maneuver. Give them their space
6. Avoid night driving if possible
7. keep recirculation off on longer drives
8. Dont play slow music
9. When I drive alone, I call my family every 2 hrs. Somehow helps me stay alert
10. Take known routes during adverse weather condition
11. Full tank of fuel and tire pressure appropriate to payload
12. Hydrate frequently
13. If traveling with elders plan pitstop with accessible restrooms

[MAMOTH]

My rules before the road trip.

Most probably I would prefer the to leave at night time as the traffic is less, mainly the internal traffic here in Mumbai.

1. Before starting a journey will lift the hood up and check all fluids, top up your wiper fluid.
2. Clean all the car from outside and inside.
3. The windscreen should be cleaned from inside as well the old method of cleaning it with “Newspaper”.
4. Will check the tyre pressure including Stepny.
5. Good music is must, so my kid takes the care of that thing will load up all music which we love in the iPod.
6. Will keep my tool box and a bottle of water in case of emergency and mainly my torch will charge before leaving for road trip, it’s an essential tool and equipped with magnet.
7. The pitstops are pre planned.

Rules while driving
1. No one eats inside the car as the food can gets inside the gaps and hard to remove even with the vacuum cleaner.
2. The map is ready to help while driving.
3. Drive calmly and patiently, My car gives 16-17 kmpl average at speed around 90km/hr
4. Seatbelt’s are must and now it has become habit for all to wear it even at the back.

[CarML]

Originally Posted by V.Max

Few rules that I follow :

7. Switch to neutral and start coasting when you see red signal ahead.

You should never coast in neutral even if the road is flat (more dangerous on inclines). You will not have control over the car if you want to do any maneuver. The correct method while approaching a red signal ahead is to first lift foot off the A pedal, then use engine braking followed by brakes to come to a halt.

Most of the key points are covered the post. Would like to add a few of mine.

1. I don't let the fuel guage drop below one third mark. I visit the fuel station sooner than needed.
2. I visually inspect the car all around especially the tires before starting a drive and even before resuming driving after a break.
3. I take a quick break after 3 hours of highway driving even if I don't feel fatigued.
4. Of course, the idling rule for Turbo engines. I follow it diligently at the start and end of the journey.

[shresan23]

For City Driving

1. This is something the whole family preaches. "assume everyone else in the road is an idiot behind the wheels". Triggering, i know, but keeps me out of road rage 9/10 times and i am a hotheaded 20 year old. (notice how i used "in" instead of "on". Yes, this applies to pedestrians also)

2. Never refrain from apologising, even if only 10% of it is your fault. Believe me, it goes a long way in diffusing situations. A simple rolling down of windows and putting your hand out and up for a second, will work wonders.



For Highway Driving

1. As a kid who hated Dad's rule of not eating in the car, i can now appreciate the feeling behind it. Although, snacks are welcome, provided you feed me one.

2. Stick to the centre lane (on a 6 lane highway) or the centre (between two lanes on a 4 lane highway). But this rule applies only if there is no one behind you/gaining on you.

Reason for point 2. Animals use those bushes in the centre for various purposes and decide to just jump out whenever they feel like it.

3. Never let anyone tailgate you. At 90+ things can get pretty messy, before you know it. Slip to the other lane or blip blip and vanish.

4. Never do the blip blip vanish (drop a gear disappear) unless the situation mandates it.

5. Never ever coast on a higher gear, if you see traffic in the vicinity (2 or three trucks). Switch down, let the engine slow you down. You might not save a ton of fuel by doing this, but you can save lives

Reason behind 5. Apparently, doing this will reduce some of the drag caused by inertia while braking hard from a higher gear. Essentially, by slowing down gradually, inertia's effect is dulled. I didnt understand the physics on this one, decided to follow anyway.

6. Keep a bottle of water (not for drinking) on the driver side