[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by maxj2005

The point is rather than going off the clif of a mountain into a deep ditch its better to stay on the road.The chances of surviving a head on is more than rolling off a clif.

Thanks, Max. I knew exactly what you were trying to say. It's just that it did not come out quite right.

[shankar.balan]

so much said and discussed

it boils down to a few safety practices which I think we all as educated and responsible citizens need to practise.

1. Stick to the left side as much as possible
2. Use the right gear (lower gear)
3. Be alert and watchful
4. Follow the rules and unwritten laws of courtesy.
5. Have consideration for other road users
6. Dont try speeding and other stuntman trick.

I guess if we all followed a few of these things every day of our lives while on the road, the world would be a better place!

Sounds idealistic? Yes, but then why not? Some of us have to remain idealistic and practise it, to preserve a little balance - any views? agree? disagree?

[ashthedivx]

Very informative thread guys... Keep it up !!

Kudos to guys sharing their know how over here...

Cheers

[smsrini]

Another useful technique is to religiously stick to your lane or half of the road. The C forces make sure you get good grip when you bank/turn.

[kaynmantis]

Earlier times drivers use hand signals to indicate turning or overtake etc. One reason for this is because most indicator lights does not work. So one would wave the hand 'up-down' to indicate he's turning right or on hills it can also mean 'not safe - don't overtake'. And if the hands move 'back & forth', it means 'overtake' These days most vehicles lights works so its becoming rare drivers using hand signals.

To make things simple, maybe manufacturers should come up with indicator lights that juts out similar to those on bikes that can move back & forth and up & down

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by kaynmantis

Earlier times drivers use hand signals to indicate turning or overtake etc. One reason for this is because most indicator lights does not work. So one would wave the hand 'up-down' to indicate he's turning right or on hills it can also mean 'not safe - don't overtake'. And if the hands move 'back & forth', it means 'overtake' These days most vehicles lights works so its becoming rare drivers using hand signals.

To make things simple, maybe manufacturers should come up with indicator lights that juts out similar to those on bikes that can move back & forth and up & down

Hands signal is still used during the day. as light are sometimes not visible in broad sunlight.

[Dolphin]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

so much said and discussed

it boils down to a few safety practices which I think we all as educated and responsible citizens need to practise.

1. Stick to the left side as much as possible
2. Use the right gear (lower gear)
3. Be alert and watchful
4. Follow the rules and unwritten laws of courtesy.
5. Have consideration for other road users
6. Dont try speeding and other stuntman trick.

Well summarized there.

Along with the mentioned points, I would like put in some precautionary notes also.

Your perception of your driving skills will have enormous impact on you and others.

Be confident about your driving, but not overconfident.
I read that, in a survey on drivers 80% rated themselves in the top. Majority of people, when asked, will tell you that they are outstanding drivers, and yet it doesn't take much thinking to realize that, at least half of all drivers will be below average.

I have my own experience of overconfidence, how a small mistake led to hardships later. Check it here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...ed-horror.html

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Dolphin

I read that, in a survey on drivers 80% rated themselves in the top. Majority of people, when asked, will tell you that they are outstanding drivers, and yet it doesn't take much thinking to realize that, at least half of all drivers will be below average.

Cannot agree more whole heartedly!
As a small example right here at home check out that thread which asked you whether you consider yourself an 'enthusiast' or otherwise.

[libranof1987]

After our recent trip to the Shivaliks in our ANHC, here's what I have realized/learnt about taking hatches/sedans up there.

1) Do not take them if you're going for a leisure trip, esp. during the monsoons. The rains play havoc with frequent land-slides and the roads are strewn with stones. You'll be tensed each time you cross the rocky patch.

2) Go slow on the rocky patches. If your car has a soft suspension, it might take a beating while crossing the bumps if you're fast.

3) Let heavy vehicles cross the patches filled with slush; you can then drive on the tyre marks left by them.

As shown :

However, if you're vehicle has a low GC, the pile of mud that is created in the middle will scrape the bottom. In such a scenario, drive with one tyre going over the hump.

As shown :



More info on a related note :

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...ml#post2469641

[joybhowmik]

few simple rules to follow (learnt thru hard experience)
1. Avoid driving in the himalayan hills/mountains during the monsoons.
2. Plan for Google maps forecasted time x 2 - be unhurried.
3. honk when tackling bends
4. at night dippers on when tackling bends
5. rest often - drink lots of tea.
6. listen to the locals before choosing your route.
7. Pack in a few necessary essentials always
a) high energy rations (e.g. chocolate, nuts etc) and sufficient water.
b) anti-vomiting tablets
c) puncture repair kit (for those with tubeless tyres) and tyre inflator
d) spare accelerator, brake, clutch cable
e) torch

8. fuel up at every possible opportunity.
9. ensure at least two different major service provider mobile sim cards in the car. Usually I have found MTNL to have the best coverage in the mountain towns.
10. when passing a difficult stretch - allow someone else to do it first

[nilanjanray]

Know how to use momentum effectively - especially on steep hairpin bends.

Learn how to judge angles effectively - e.g. anticipate how a truck or bus coming towards you will move while making a turn. In the hills, slowing down too much is sometimes not a good idea while climbing up on a steep slope - so one has to keep moving, perhaps in a different gear. So anticipation of angles is very important to maintain safe momentum.

Practice how to change gears fast - and automatically - to maintain adequate momentum while climbing up.

Maintain adequate distance from the car in front and the one behind. Sometimes the car in front will start rolling backwards.

Try and anticipate whether a driver is experienced in hill driving or a first timer. Be more careful with first timers e.g. if the car in front is being driven by an inexperienced person, you can assume that he will roll down a few times when confronted by a bus or truck at a hairpin bend (he will lose momentum, will have to shift gears, and might even stall).

Night driving/ morn or eve driving: be on the lookout for wild animals crossing the roads.

Get comfortable with engine braking before tackling a steep downhill slope.

Be on the lookout for gravel, loose soil etc. near the edge. Be on the lookout for ditches and ruts - often hidden by undergrowth - on the cliff side.

Before tackling a blind bend, always imagine that there is some idiot coming hard at you on the other side of the bend. Especially helpful during day time - as others have mentioned, night driving is easier in terms of knowing what (vehicle) is coming at you.

Maintain lane!

[0xTKB]

How to drive in the hilly/mountainous terrain


I live in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. Be it any season, there's a heavy influx of tourists coming for vacations to this beautiful area. But the summer time is entirely different, the tourism almost swells to 10x. But like it or not, 95% of the tourists who come from the plain area have no idea regarding driving in hilly terrain. Here are some tips which will help you as well as others.

1. What ever you do, do NOT overtake from the left side, EVER. This is a very dangerous practice. There are not many 4 lane roads in Himachal Pradesh. So, if you overtake from the left side, you're putting not only your lives in danger but of locals as well. Besides this, most of the local drivers do not look at the left mirror quite often.
2. Secondly, I have seen a lot of tourists, especially cab drivers, overtaking when ever they see a curve. This is a very, very dangerous habit. Please stop this practice. NEVER EVER overtake when on curves. Plan your overtaking on the straight roads.
3. There's no point going above 70 kmph on most of the NH-21 & NH-22. There are so many curves that eventually you'll have to decelerate to low speeds for your safety. Drive safely, stay within 40-70 kmph.
4. If you're stopping to admire nature's beauty alongside a lonely road or a river, park your vehicle on a straight road or when a curve ends. If you park your vehicle on the curve, chances are you'll get hit by another vehicle. Parking on a straight road has its benefits such as the oncoming vehicles can see you clearly and take some measures to drive by safely.
5. Last but not the least, please DO NOT feed the monkeys. It is against the law & you can be fined if a police patrolling party sees you doing that. I know it is good to show sympathy towards animals. But these monkeys are the prime source of accidents for fellow two wheeler riders. If you feed them, then they'll sit along the road side in groups which consists of 20+ monkeys, which can be dangerous to any kind of vehicle.

Here's a list of showrooms that are available in NH-21 (the Chandigarh-Manali-Leh highway) & NH-22 (Chandigarh-Shimla-Kinnaur highway).

1. Maruti Suzuki - Competent - 01905-225665. Mandi town.
2. Hyundai - Shivansh Hyundai - 01905-221160. Mandi town.
3. Honda - Valley Honda - 01905-247989. Mandi town.
4. Chevrolet - Ram Hari Motors - 01905-227691. Mandi town.
5. Ford - Saluja Ford - 01905-246182. Mandi town.
6. Skoda - Dev Bhoomi Motors - 098160-03557. Mandi town.
7. Tata - Satluj Motors - 01905-243245. Mandi town.
8. Fiat - Satluj Motors - 01905-243245. Mandi town.
9. Mahindra - Simla Automobiles - 01905-243251. Mandi town.
10. Toyota - Anand Toyota - 01792-228288. Solan town.

I've listed the numbers of only one showroom-per-brand in the list. You can get the list of other showrooms & service centers by calling them.


Currently, there are no dealers of Volkswagen, Nissan & Renault in Himachal Pradesh. The Nissan showroom will open between few months in Mandi & another Toyota showroom will open within 4 months in Mandi. I'll update the list & contact numbers when the showroom opens here.


Almost all the spares of A & B segment cars are readily available. But you've to wait if you want to get spares of C or D segment cars.