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An excerpt from New Woman December 2002

While driving in the city, let alone with gear, most of us rarely get a chance to get into the fourth gear. Even before the speedometer touches 50 kmph, the brakes come on, either due to traffic signals or, of course, the potholes. So, generally, there are fewer dangers of high-speed collisions and other major problems. But on the expressway, it`s a totally different world. There is a thin dividing line between life and death and serious injury. There are minimum prescribed speed limits. This is something we are not used to. In our enthusiasm, we floor the accelerator and watch the needle climb to three figures. Though this is an exhilarating experience, it also fraught with dangers. Here are some safety measures to deal with them:-

1. Tyres: Overinflation/underinflation, poor treads, balding are all very dangerous. See that your tyres are in good shape before stepping on the expressway. If two of your tyres are better than the rest, put them in the front. Ensure that you have good, properly inflated spares tyres. Remove all stones, pebbles tuck to the tyres as they hamper braking. Tyre bursts at high speeds are on of the commonest reasons for fatal accidents.

2. Brakes: Brakes should be in a good shape - not excessive play, sponginess or noise. Ensure that your vehicle does not drag to one side on braking. Get your handbrake in working order. Test it out on a slope before proceeding.

3. Wipers and a clean windshield: These are a must. Check and fill water in the windshield washer container. On a rainy day, mud from the tyres of the vehicle in front of you get splattered on your windshield. You will need to clean it very often.

4. Oils: Check and top up ( if required) engine oil, brake fluid, power steering, fluid battery water and coolant. Carry water, spare coolant and brake fluid in your boot.

5. Lights: Check that all your lights are in working condition. Carry spare bulbs for the headlights.

6. Horn: Many a time, a horn can be as effective as a brake.

7. Dashboard: Ensure that all instruments on the instrument cluster work well. Once you are driving, these are the only indications you may get, if there is any trouble under the bonnet.

8. Tool kit: Check that the tool kit supplied by the manufacturer in intact, including the jack and wheel spanner.

HERE ARE A FEW DOS AND DON`TS:

Dos

1. Always wear your seat belt.

2. Drive carefully and keep your speed at the minimum required. Once your vehicle is in the fifth gear, the more you speed the more fuel you spend.

3. Indicate if you are changing lanes or stopping.

4. Before you apply your brakes at high speed, down swift your gears. This reduces the speed of the engine and the slowing down of the engine itself acts as a brake and helps you to cut down the distance travelled after braking.

Don`ts

1. Don`t accelerate or overtake unnecessarily. Don`t make your drive a competition.

2. Don`t use your mobile phone while driving.

3. If you have to park your vehicle, don`t do so on a curve. Choose a straight stretch (you should be able to see both sides for at least half a kilometre), park in the extreme left lane, engage the hand brake and put on your parking lights and distress signal.

4. Children should never ever be seated in the front seats. When children sit on your lap in the front, in the event of a collision, the child can get crushed between you and the dashboards.

5. Don`t keep the music in your cat so loud that it distracts you.

6. Don`t drink and drive. Alcohol can slow down you reflexes for a long as 24 hrs after a drinking bout.

7. Don`t undertake long journeys at night unless absolutely unavoidable.

8. Don`t switch off the engine on a downslope. This will cause the engine to run away and make braking difficult. Some of the newer vehicles brake properly only if the engine is on. With these driving tips, you`ll reach your destination safely.