Team-BHP - View Single Post - ARTICLE: Preparation for an Indian Road Trip

Bigzero · 8th June 2007, 12:23

Hi folks,

My first post in this forum ...

Quite an exhaustive list! I would agree to most of them. Better be on the safe side when it comes to preparing for long drives.

I have done a few long trips myself ( including three Hyderabad Calicut trips in a Santro

) , and I usually make it a point to get the car serviced before the trip to start with, and also cover most of the items mentioned in the first post ( i didnt carry spare fan belts etc then.. on hindsight there was a definite risk there ).

Some general guidelines i follow for long trips - ( some are preparatory, and some to be followed while on the road )

- Sleep early: It is always difficult to get a good sleep before a long trip because of the anxiety you have, but I make it a point to hit the bed early . Its also important to make sure that you dont leave any packing for the morning.

- Start early: Very useful- from my experience. Mostly because you can hit open countryside very quickly. Saves a lot of time. I start at around 5.00-5.30. The only downside is that you end up catching the headlights of Overnight buses ( my experience leaving hyderabad early ) that could put you in a spot of bother early on.

- Needless to say, fill tank up the day before.

- Dont drive for more than 3 hours at a stretch. I have found the need to take a break after around 2 hrs 30 min or so . Perhaps this may vary from person to person, but If you are the lone driver, make it a point to take a 15 min break every 3 hours or so. Get out, stretch your legs, wash your face etc..

- Dont overeat. Especially when it comes to lunch. Because of obvious reasons.

- Be very alert during the afternoon session of driving. Traffic is usually less during this time, and it gets a little monotonous. And its quite possible that other occupants in the car doze off. Make sure that the front passenger doesnt. Get him/her to speak. Start a conversation ( not an argument

) . Will help you stay alert.

- Check the tyres every time you take a break.

- As the OP rightly mentioned, refill at half tank. Choose the right pump.

- in case you are driving with AC on all the time, keep it in ventilated mode once in a while to allow some fresh air.

- In case AC is not required, roll up windows and leave a small gap, and run the fan , keeping the vent open. Driving long distances with windows rolled down can be quite tiring, and it could also negatively affect fuel efficiency. However, if you love to have wind on your hair, your choice..

- Very important - set reasonable time targets - dont be under pressure to achieve personal time targets - This could cause you to drive too aggressively. There is a difference between driving fast and driving recklessly. Of course go fast where you can, but dont start getting angry because you cant overtake the convoy of trucks ahead of you quickly.

- Be aware that in india the condition of the roads can change quickly over a short distance. A supersmooth four lane highway can quickly change into a pothole-ridden country road. Dividers & speedbreakers can come out of nowhere.

- Slow down while passing through villages/small towns even though the road may be clear ahead.

- Anticipate well. have a mental picture of what could happen ahead. Anticipation can avoid a lot of accidents.

Well, my two cents - some of them are too obvious though..

Drive safe..

8th June 2007, 12:23	#20 (permalink)
Bigzero Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 39	Hi folks, My first post in this forum ... Quite an exhaustive list! I would agree to most of them. Better be on the safe side when it comes to preparing for long drives. I have done a few long trips myself ( including three Hyderabad Calicut trips in a Santro ) , and I usually make it a point to get the car serviced before the trip to start with, and also cover most of the items mentioned in the first post ( i didnt carry spare fan belts etc then.. on hindsight there was a definite risk there ). Some general guidelines i follow for long trips - ( some are preparatory, and some to be followed while on the road ) - Sleep early: It is always difficult to get a good sleep before a long trip because of the anxiety you have, but I make it a point to hit the bed early . Its also important to make sure that you dont leave any packing for the morning. - Start early: Very useful- from my experience. Mostly because you can hit open countryside very quickly. Saves a lot of time. I start at around 5.00-5.30. The only downside is that you end up catching the headlights of Overnight buses ( my experience leaving hyderabad early ) that could put you in a spot of bother early on. - Needless to say, fill tank up the day before. - Dont drive for more than 3 hours at a stretch. I have found the need to take a break after around 2 hrs 30 min or so . Perhaps this may vary from person to person, but If you are the lone driver, make it a point to take a 15 min break every 3 hours or so. Get out, stretch your legs, wash your face etc.. - Dont overeat. Especially when it comes to lunch. Because of obvious reasons. - Be very alert during the afternoon session of driving. Traffic is usually less during this time, and it gets a little monotonous. And its quite possible that other occupants in the car doze off. Make sure that the front passenger doesnt. Get him/her to speak. Start a conversation ( not an argument ) . Will help you stay alert. - Check the tyres every time you take a break. - As the OP rightly mentioned, refill at half tank. Choose the right pump. - in case you are driving with AC on all the time, keep it in ventilated mode once in a while to allow some fresh air. - In case AC is not required, roll up windows and leave a small gap, and run the fan , keeping the vent open. Driving long distances with windows rolled down can be quite tiring, and it could also negatively affect fuel efficiency. However, if you love to have wind on your hair, your choice.. - Very important - set reasonable time targets - dont be under pressure to achieve personal time targets - This could cause you to drive too aggressively. There is a difference between driving fast and driving recklessly. Of course go fast where you can, but dont start getting angry because you cant overtake the convoy of trucks ahead of you quickly. - Be aware that in india the condition of the roads can change quickly over a short distance. A supersmooth four lane highway can quickly change into a pothole-ridden country road. Dividers & speedbreakers can come out of nowhere. - Slow down while passing through villages/small towns even though the road may be clear ahead. - Anticipate well. have a mental picture of what could happen ahead. Anticipation can avoid a lot of accidents. Well, my two cents - some of them are too obvious though.. Drive safe.. Last edited by Bigzero : 8th June 2007 at 12:39.