Seeking Info on Night driving and Wagon R [Hyderabad-Pune]

[sforsarang]

Team,

I am planning for a trip to Pune from Hyderabad in my Red Cutie this weekend, this time though in the night. I have done two long trips so far but they were in the day-light (starting early morning 4). I need some advice about the following related to night driving aspects.

things which I have heard and read (friends you must be wondering why this guy keeps mentioning 'I have heard','I have read' and things like that but you can blame it on my lack of experience and over enthusiasm for automotives :-( )

1) Adjust your eyes to intense lights by focusing them on the headlights of 5 to 6 upcoming trucks / buses at the start of the night journey and try to visualise the vehicle in lights...(this as a practice so that for rest of the journey your eyes will be adjusted and you will be at ease comparatively throughout the night)

2) Play in the center. That means drive through the center of the road for most of the time and wherever possible because heavy vehicles have the habit of driving through the center and if a lighter vehicle keeps very left, the heavy vehicle will again push it towards left...

3) Use upper always to pressurise the heavy vehicle upcoming...so that he gives you proper space on the road...if you give dipper generously, he may drag you to your left (by keeping the center), and your visibility will also be affected.

4) For a defensive driving in the night, follow a heavy vehicle with considerable speed (bus, SUV) at a safer distance, say 100 mtrs so that the upcoming light won't trouble you and you will be at lesser risk of a head on with a broken down vehicle on road without indicators.

5) drink much water, as huge water contents in the body will force you to take frequent breaks and also will prevent dehydration which may lead to dizziness and lack of alert.

6) Do not stop unless you are quite assured that the persons stopping you are indeed policemen and if there are sufficient police vehicles and a genuine patrol.

7) Regular policemen can't challan you. They can only check if the car is stolen, or it has sandlewood or some dead body

In addition to the above doubts, I seek some general advice about driving Wagon R (tallboy) on highways...as of how to counter roll, ideal max speed min speed ideal max speed on considerable turns ideal breaking distance etc....
As far as my trip is concerned, planning to leave hyderabad at 9 in the night and reach pune at 7 max...

Thanks and Regards
Sarang

[mobike008]

My simple advice for someone who is doing a night driving trip for the first time ( that is an entire night driving trip) is, PLEASE DON'T DO IT.

Night driving is a skill and should be practised over a few half night driving trips ( say drive until 9pm or 10pm or even 12am) to get a hang of what to encounter. It is highly risky to drive for the first time a complete night drive where the majority of accidents happen between 1am-4am ( either due to fallin' asleep or drunk driving, amounting to same " drunken induced sleep")

If you still decide to drive, Adjust to night and high glare. Dont "dare" truckers as they can easily mow you down. and respect your lane always and most importantly, do not cross 100-110kmph at any given point of time since you will have much better chances of stopping in emergencies.

Goodluck if you still plan to go ahead !!!

[lohithrao]

Agree with mobike, not at all a good idea to drive at night.

If you do so make sure that cars head lights are doing good. do keep spare bulbs.

Beware of buses, they are fast and ruthless. trucks are much safer.

Ensure that you have had a good sleep the previous night.

Belive me its very stressful driving at night, especially on a single lane.

[madan80]

Yes, night driving has its charms - however, if its the first time you are driving - it is not very high on the advice list.
If you are going ahead, one of the things i used to do was find a convoy - usually trucks travel in a convoy. Interstate busses also keep a good speed (60- 80) so try and tail those at a safe braking distance.
MAke sure your lights work - low and high beam, and ensure that you DO NOT have any dark patches in the light spread.
Ive done considerable amounts in night traffic - it is fun, but also very dangerous.

Good luck.

[WhiteKnight]

Avoid if you have other options. Atleast have a backup driver

Originally Posted by sforsarang

1) Adjust your eyes to intense lights by focusing them on the headlights of 5 to 6 upcoming trucks / buses at the start of the night journey

Not going to work! Avoid looking directly at lights, rather keep them in your peripheral vision. Looking at headlights would make you blind once they pass, and also fetch you a headache

Originally Posted by sforsarang

2) Play in the center.

No comments! Make you intentions clear (whether you are going to give way or not) well in advance. More important- always have an escape route (not all would give way).
God save you, if the other fellow has read you post

Originally Posted by sforsarang

3) Use upper always to pressurise the heavy vehicle upcoming.

Another idea that would backfire! Better give respect and take respect

[bblost]

1) Adjust your eyes to intense lights
Bad idea, just drive man. Look at the edge of the road and avoid looking at the lights directly.
try this, look at a bright light and try to read this post. You will know what I mean.
2) Play in the center. That means driv
Drive in your lane.
Just keep your eyes as far as you can see.
How is the guy coming behind you to overtake you if you block him like this.
If a overtake is happening in the opposite direction, flash you lights.
ONCE.
most truckers get the message and stay off.
bus guys may need you to flash twice.
avoid getting off the road.

3) Use upper always to pressurise the
You are driving not fighting.
No one wants to crash, some people do drive like they want to, but no one wants to crash.

4) For a defensive driving in the nigh
This works. But keep distance.
5) drink much water, as huge water con
Drink lots of water staring the previous day.
Get you body in line with water intake, so you dont end up feeling bloated the day you are driving.
A nice thermos, with cold water really helps.
I use a brand called atlasware.
Cold water filled in Chennai was cold all the way to Hyderabad.
6) Do not stop unless you are quite as
Use common sense.
7) Regular policemen can't challan you. They can only check if the car is stolen, or it has sandlewood or some dead body
Have all papers. If asked to show papers, give photocopies.
Be polite, speak only when spoken too.
You can be asked to wait till a NON-Regular(whatever that means) policeman comes.

[speedmiester]

If you can avoid the night trip, try to avoid it. Its not worth taking the risk.

I have done quite a few half night and full night trip. Here are my observations.
1. Make sure you are well rested, so that you wont face with situation where you might get tired and doze off.
2. Make sure you have charged your mobile and have some emergency contact numbers stored.
3. Plan your trip, make sure you know the directions. Its very easy to miss a turn and end up getting else where.
4. Maintain speeds within 100kmph. You will not have sufficient visibility for high speed driving.
5. If you see a vehicle in front of you doing the same speeds as yourself. try to stick behind it with a safe distance. It reduces your stress by atleast 30%.
6. Take sufficient breaks in between.
7. Avoid driving alone.
8. If you have co passengers, make sure the front seat passenger doesn't doze off. Having a conversation with your passengers helps. But make sure you concentrate more on the road.
9. Avoid slow and soft music. They lull you into sleep in no time. Thats why rock and metal are there.
10. If you fell dizzy and sleepy. Park your car and take a short walk of 50 meters. If you cant control it, take no chances. Do a power nap for about 30 0r 45 mins. It helps a lot.
11. Carry a couple of spare head lights and other lights.
12. Most of the accidents occur during the early morning hours(3 am to 5 am). Try to be more attentive during these times.

I might have missed a couple of pointers here.

Happy driving. Enjoy your drive.

[csentil]

sforsarang, you'll find many of us will advice you against nite driving. Theory is all well and good, but practical is very very different. If not all most of us here would strongly recommend you against it and I guess you can heed the experts.

Do not try to take on a truck/bus with your headlights. You have no idea what you are getting into.

[rks]

Originally Posted by sforsarang

I am planning for a trip to Pune from Hyderabad in my Red Cutie this weekend, this time though in the night. I have done two long trips so far but they were in the day-light (starting early morning 4). I need some advice about the following related to night driving aspects.

I second the advice given to you by mobike008; if possible, avoid all-night driving on our highways.

1) Adjust your eyes to intense lights by focusing them on the headlights of 5 to 6 upcoming trucks / buses at the start of the night journey and try to visualise the vehicle in lights...(this as a practice so that for rest of the journey your eyes will be adjusted and you will be at ease comparatively throughout the night)

I haven't heard of this and I don't think it would work. Each time you stare into the headlights of another vehicle, your eyes will get partially blinded and impair/endanger your driving. My suggestion is to practice looking *away* from the headlights and focussing *hard* on the road space which you intend to get into. Here is a good tip. When a vehicle approaches you from the opposite side, you have to lower your beam. But you can see the road ahead into the distance as it is illuminated by the headlights of the oncoming vehicle. Make sure you focus on the road up to the point at which the vehicle is located, and *not* on the headlights of that vehicle. As the vehicle comes closer, you may be partially blinded, but since you have already mapped out the route in your mind, you can confidently pass the vehicle, still staring hard into your road space. Shift to high beam immediately after passing, so that you regain visibility.

2) Play in the center. That means drive through the center of the road for most of the time and wherever possible because heavy vehicles have the habit of driving through the center and if a lighter vehicle keeps very left, the heavy vehicle will again push it towards left...

True to a certain extent. Keeping to the centre of the road (when no vehicle is coming the other way) is a good idea in general as it will give you more margins on either side in case of something unexpected happening. If a heavy vehicle approaches, you should not try to bluff the guy by getting into his space. Move slghtly to the left of centre well in advance and hold your line. Usually this is good enough for most heavy vehicle drivers. But if the guy shows no intention of moving to his left and continues to remain in your road space, do not try to call his bluff. Get further to the left and slow down as required. Play safe, don't take foolish risks.

3) Use upper always to pressurise the heavy vehicle upcoming...so that he gives you proper space on the road...if you give dipper generously, he may drag you to your left (by keeping the center), and your visibility will also be affected.

Badly wrong. Be courteous to your fellow driver and lower your beam sufficiently in advance. Most of the drivers, especially the pros who drive heavy vehicles, will respond immediately if they have not already dipped their beams before you. Giving them the high beam without provokation is asking for trouble and will probably invite immediate retaliation and endanger both vehicles.

4) For a defensive driving in the night, follow a heavy vehicle with considerable speed (bus, SUV) at a safer distance, say 100 mtrs so that the upcoming light won't trouble you and you will be at lesser risk of a head on with a broken down vehicle on road without indicators.

I don't like this idea at all. Following a heavy vehicle will reduce your field of vision, as you cannot see what is ahead of that vehicle. The bigger vehicle ahead of you will frequently brake on our narrow traffic-laden roads and many times brake unexpectedly, as you cannot see ahead of the vehicle. Potholes/stones on the road could be hidden as the heavy vehicle straddles them. If you leave a gap of 100 mts between yourself and the heavy vehicle, quite likely that you will be continuously overtaken and other vehicles will get in between you and the heavy vehicle.

My advice is to either overtake the heavy vehicle (my preference) or else fall behind and let the heavy vehicle disappear ahead if it is going too fast for you.

5) drink much water, as huge water contents in the body will force you to take frequent breaks and also will prevent dehydration which may lead to dizziness and lack of alert.

I would say drink as much water as you need, but not more. Not a good idea to frequently stop in the night, especially in desolate stretches. But if you do feel sleepy, find a safe place and then take a break.

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by mobike008

My simple advice for someone who is doing a night driving trip for the first time ( that is an entire night driving trip) is, PLEASE DON'T DO IT.

Night driving is a skill and should be practised over a few half night driving trips ( say drive until 9pm or 10pm or even 12am) to get a hang of what to encounter. It is highly risky to drive for the first time a complete night drive where the majority of accidents happen between 1am-4am ( either due to fallin' asleep or drunk driving, amounting to same " drunken induced sleep")

If you still decide to drive, Adjust to night and high glare. Dont "dare" truckers as they can easily mow you down. and respect your lane always and most importantly, do not cross 100-110kmph at any given point of time since you will have much better chances of stopping in emergencies.

Goodluck if you still plan to go ahead !!!

I agree with avinash(mobike), as this being your first time try half night thing as suggested by him. For that you can plan till sholapur, stay in a hotel, and continue in the morning.

Sholapur is something like 270-280 km from hyderabad and pune is around 230-240 km from sholapur. So i think sholapur is the ideal place for a night halt for you.

all the best

raj.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by sforsarang

1) Adjust your eyes to intense lights by focusing them on the headlights of 5 to 6 upcoming trucks / buses at the start of the night journey and try to visualise the vehicle in lights...(this as a practice so that for rest of the journey your eyes will be adjusted and you will be at ease comparatively throughout the night)

But with a bad headache for the rest of the drive!

Originally Posted by sforsarang

2) Play in the center. That means drive through the center of the road for most of the time and wherever possible because heavy vehicles have the habit of driving through the center and if a lighter vehicle keeps very left, the heavy vehicle will again push it towards left...

Make sure they dont get blinded because of your lights and come 'head on'. My take is to drive in the centre of your lane, and not centre of the road.

Originally Posted by sforsarang

3) Use upper always to pressurise the heavy vehicle upcoming...so that he gives you proper space on the road...if you give dipper generously, he may drag you to your left (by keeping the center), and your visibility will also be affected.

Frankly speaking, Do you want the vehicle coming against you to do this?
Not everyone out there are out to push you off the road!

Originally Posted by sforsarang

4) For a defensive driving in the night, follow a heavy vehicle with considerable speed (bus, SUV) at a safer distance, say 100 mtrs so that the upcoming light won't trouble you and you will be at lesser risk of a head on with a broken down vehicle on road without indicators.

Many use this method, even i have. But, make sure you have enough distance to brake safely if they get involved in something. (have read a case in XBhp were a biker was following a car like this, and the car went head on into another car, the biker was saved by helmet)

Originally Posted by sforsarang

5) drink much water, as huge water contents in the body will force you to take frequent breaks and also will prevent dehydration which may lead to dizziness and lack of alert.

Thats a new one for me!

Originally Posted by sforsarang

In addition to the above doubts, I seek some general advice about driving Wagon R (tallboy) on highways...as of how to counter roll, ideal max speed min speed ideal max speed on considerable turns ideal breaking distance etc....

Drive safe. WagonR, although a tall boy doesnt have stability issues. Just keep it under 120 kmph on the straights, and limit to 60kmph for corners. Just dont push the car hard. Always remember its a tall boy.

HAPPY JOURNEY!

[skandyhere]

not much need be said about top speeds and the like. every driver must know both his and his vehicle's limits. over 100 is simply not advised. remember that roads are often strewn with the odd stone/rock, bad potholes/humps. beware of drunkards. beware of animals. beware of indian roads.

following a heavy vehicle is not preferred. tail a car moving at around 80-100, and that is ideal. you will instantly feel the comfort of advance warnings. for a beginner, following a car is ideal.

do not attempt to intimidate trucks/buses with the high beam. do not challenge the other as to who will give way - they ARE drunk. and many drive in their sleep. slow down and always anticipate the worst.

anticipate the worst. and finally, anticipate the worst.

[sforsarang]

O Man..... Is it so much of risk.. I was taking it very lightly seriously... In fact..to my foolishness, I thought it will be better to start in the night as there will be very less harmful traffic (villagers, bikers, cyclists, pedestrians and most of all, traffic cops Grrr...Grrr.....)... also I thought cruising through cities in between will be fast as there will be no traffic in cities.. another thing I thought was that tyres would be heated less compared to daylight trip, and engine will be cool comparatively....

Now after reading so many advices, I am bound to play a bit safer and have done necessary changes in my plan as well, will leave office 3.30 or 4 o clock so as to reach Pune by 12 0 clock...(even if got a bit late then the last 1 and half hour journey to Pune is a two lane )...

Thanks for the advices ... as they were from actual experiences....they do count more... I will probably start as much earlier as I can....)

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

I agree with avinash(mobike), as this being your first time try half night thing as suggested by him. For that you can plan till sholapur, stay in a hotel, and continue in the morning.

Sholapur is something like 270-280 km from hyderabad and pune is around 230-240 km from sholapur. So i think sholapur is the ideal place for a night halt for you.

all the best

raj.

This is exactly what i would do. Though i have enough experience of driving in entire night but, after a single incident in my life, i have decided not to push my luck too far. I recommend this highly. Start at 6pm or earlier and reach Solapur ( exactly 300kms from hyd) by 11pm or 12am and rest in a motel until 6am and from there it will take you 5 hours to reach pune. Reaching pune a few hours late hopefully should not spoil your plans too much.

After all we dont live more than once

[suren181]

@sarang: I would follow suit on mobike008 & kkr2k2's advice and would beseech you not to venture on a night drive.

Moreover it is a known fact with the regular drivers that the time between 02:00hrs and 04:00hrs is a major no-no, for, the human mind tends to get onto a hibernate mode at this time.