New Delhi : India is a country of mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys and passes. In the plains, you will find flat roads on flat ground, then in inaccessible hilly areas and valleys, the roads become a bit dangerous. Driving on the roads made of mountains, plateaus and inaccessible valleys can be one of the best memories of a lifetime, as every hilly area has spectacular natural views. Plus, the pleasant chilly climate is enough to make people pack up and hit the road. However, one thing should be remembered that driving in the mountains requires different manners, which is quite different from driving in the plains.
Driving in mountains and plateaus is totally different as compared to driving in plains. Not following such rules of driving in the mountains can also be fatal for you or other drivers. The sad thing is that most of the drivers going from the plains to the mountains remain unaware of these rules. Hence, it often results in fatal accidents. Here are some very important tips to follow while driving on mountains, plateaus or mountain valleys, which is important to pay attention to.
Do not overtake vehicles on hilly roads
Overtaking while driving in mountains, plateaus and mountain valleys is very difficult and should be avoided. If you need to do this in some extreme situation, then it should be done with utmost care. Also make sure not to try to overtake in between turns. Always wait for the long and wide straight portion to come.
Drive in the correct gear on valley or mountain roads
The trick is to drive in the right gear while driving in the mountains. While going uphill, gravity is against you and the car slows down. Hence, stick to the lower gears where the torque output is maximum. While driving on a slope, keep the vehicle in high gear and drive slowly. Also, don’t forget to apply brakes when needed.
don’t drive on the edge of a slope
While driving in the lower part of hilly area, many drivers often choose to drive on edges and in coastal areas. However, this can be extremely dangerous, as the gears act as speed modifiers and give you extra stopping power when needed. Also, driving in this manner has a negative impact on the gearbox and powertrain of the vehicle.
check road signs carefully
You may not pay attention to road signs while driving in plains, but they can prove to be extremely important and life-saving in hilly areas. They provide you all the important information about the way forward. Mountain roads can be narrow, unpredictable and dangerous. Road signs show the way to the drivers, enabling them to drive safely and carefully.
How to drive safely on hilly roads
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Step 1: Avoid overtaking unless absolutely necessary
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Step 2: Always drive in the correct gear
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Step 3: Avoid driving in neutral while on a slope
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Step 4: Check road signs carefully