[Sudipto-S-Team]

I thought of starting a thread on survival strategies I adopt on the highways and share with you my take on them. I am also keen to know what other novel strategies you guys adopt. I am not mentioning the obvious like watch out for road signs etc or repair tips/gadgets.
I am particularly keen to know what to do when you encounter dangerous wild animals like elephants in forest sections. I have never faced this and have no experience. Would appreciate feedback from someone who has first hand personal experience in this

• I try to avoid driving at night on the highways at all costs. I get completely blinded by the oncoming vehicles, even motorcycles, not to speak of trucks. When I am forced to do it, I try to find a larger vehicle with good tail lights and brake lights and follow it from a reasonable distance. This way, I am protected from the lights of oncoming vehicles. I have adopted this strategy of follow-the-leader very successfully in the night, in blinding rain, in dense fog etc.
• There are two types of trucks on the Indian highways – the (over)loaded, long distance trucks and the generally empty local trucks (apparent from the registration number). These are two completely different animals and require different skills to deal with. While the former are very decent, bankable and dependable animals, the latter are maniacs and want to sweep aside everything in front. To overtake the former is very easy – you position yourself on their rear view mirror, flash the light once and wait for his signal to pass. Know that most truckers in India use the right turn signal to mean “you can overtake me now”. This is completely wrong but it works in India. If they show a hand asking you to wait, respect that.
• Trying to take a takkar with the local/empty trucks is a waste of time and can even be dangerous. Same is true for long distance buses. Identify the maniacs and let them pass.
• When you are overtaking a bus that is dropping off/picking up passengers, be very careful and honk like a maniac. Some of the passengers will spring up suddenly from behind the bus and you are not supposed to mow them down.
• From a distance, particularly on GQ at high speeds, some trucks look stationary while they are not, some look like moving while they are not, some look like coming your way while they are going and some look like going while they are coming. You have to be aware of these possibilities.
• During harvest season watch out for the loaded tractor-trailors. If you are behind it remember it can and it will always turn abruptly and you will not even realise it. Because the trailor changes the direction much after the tractor pulling it changes its direction and you can’t really see the tractor because the trailor is larger and hides the view in front.
• On the GQ I drive with the dividing white line between my two front wheels. I know this is completely wrong and unacceptable internationally. But we are talking about Indian highways. Here we have this menace of local wrong siders. And they could come from anywhere - either from your right or from your left. So you take the middle path.
• Keep a mental note of the last locality you crossed. You may have to return to it soon on foot. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
• Don’t bank on the highway tyre pressure gauges but carry your own. They are used for filling overloaded truck tyres, not cars. A friend once found the pressure in his Marshal was close to 80, the vehicle was jumping so much the front fender fell off.
• If you have to ask for road direction from a local, ask him about the closest next town. Don’t ask him about your final destination, he might not have any clue as to where that is. Never ask him, “does this road go to X?” He will most likely say yes even if it is no. Ask him, “which road goes to X?” Truckers and commercial drivers are best for seeking road directions and they always give you the precise distance in km.
• When the villager tells you “turn left from the next crossing” look at his hand carefully. It might be pointing to the right or vice versa. Get the confusion cleared by asking repeatedly or even by pointing out to him that he is saying something but showing the opposite. Most are embarrassed, laugh and then correct themselves. It has happened umpteen number of times with me, I don’t know why.
• While filling up, repeatedly mention the fuel you want and personally check that the cap is back on properly.
• Enjoy the drive.

Regards
Sudipto Roy