Be A Better Driver - Femina

Ever been glared at with contempt, simply because you're a woman at the wheel? Meenakshi Doctor tells you how you can merit more respect on the road

Rule One: Concentrate And React!
Driving well depends on concentration behind the wheel, consistency and smooth, quick reactions in varied situations. Concentration is crucial to driving. Don't do anything that takes your mind off the road. This means no cell phones (yes! even hands-free sets), no putting on your make-up (even at the traffic lights!), no distractions, no getting engrossed in conversation with companions in your car. Concentration usually goes hand-in-hand with consistency. Decisive reactions are also vital to your safety on the roads. Your reactions should be precise and quick. Be prepared for situations on the road to change abruptly. Make quick decisions and stand by your choice. Don't dither; you will almost certainly precipitate an accident type of situation if you do.

Rule Two: Think Ahead
Plan your journey and your route so that you will avoid the 'life-flashing-before-your-eyes' turns at the last minute that are dangerous and sometimes fatal. Know which roads are one-way and plan how you need to go.

Rule Three: Flash - You Need To!
Use your indicator lights well in advance. The accepted time for doing this is approximately 25 metres before you make your turn. Do not do this at the last minute. ‘

Rule Four: Don't Burn The Brakes!
Braking is one of the most overlooked aspects of driving. Blistering acceleration does not compensate for bad braking. Accelerating until the last second, smashing the brakes with your feet and frantically downshifting your gears to use the engines' braking system to slow the car is not the way it is to be done. Smoothness is the key to competent braking.

Rule Five: Keep It Smooth
Be smooth in your application of power to the vehicle you drive and try to respect speed limits. Plan your meetings and time, so you don't have to drive like a maniac.

Rule Six: Keep Your Distance
Avoid tag tailing or following other cars too closely because if the car in front slams its brakes, you will end up having a collision. Remember that driving at top speed will only get you to your destination a mere few minutes earlier. A slower approach to driving leads to less aggressive behaviour.

Rule Seven: Look In The Mirrors
Use the mirrors fitted in your car to steer through unseen hazards. Use your rear view mirror at all times... and watch your back!

Rule Eight: Sides, Front, Back
Know the dimensions of your vehicle. Do a Dimension Test by placing an object like a stone 20 meters in front of your right tyre and try and go over it. If you can, you know the dimensions of your vehicle and are likely to navigate well through traffic. If you're way off the stone target, then you are a potential risk to other motorists on the road.

Rule Nine: Keep Your Cool
Road rage is a well-documented phenomenon - but it is very important not to let your anger affect the way you drive. One way to stay calm is by being alert on the road. Expect that people will do their own thing to get ahead and be ready. This means keeping your eyes open for other drivers and keeping a safe distance from crazy motorists or aggressive ones!
Rule Ten: Enjoy Your Drive!
Sounds impossible? Improbable? Try! Do the obvious things like wear your seat belt, don't jump traffic lights, try not to honk and be restrained in your approach to driving. If you hate other people doing annoying things to you while you drive, why do them yourself?

Keep Safe On The Road

• Obtain a automobile association membership and keep the breakdown and help line numbers handy.

• Never give lifts to strangers.

• Always lock the doors and keep the windows closed as much as possible.

• Keep your handbag and any valuables out of sight.

• Keep your mobile phone charged at all times.

• Blow your horn if someone approaches your windows, or a car seems to be trying to make you stop - noise is a great deterrent.

• Be sure of where you're headed. Check the route on your map ahead of time. Keep someone informed of where you're headed and when you expect to reach.

• Trust your instincts. If you think you are being followed, drive straight to a busy public place where you know you can lose yourself or get help.

• If your car looks ready to break down, try to stop at a well-lit spot, close to a phone if you don't have a mobile. Call your breakdown service. Give clear directions and sit inside the car. If you must stand outside and wait for help, lock all the other doors and stand just outside the door next to the steering wheel, so you can quickly retreat within in case of danger.

Hone Your Skills
A manual on how to hone good driving in Indian road conditions has not even been attempted and is indeed unavailable! This is probably because there are no clear rules and the driver has to pretty much judge the moment and do the best she can to get to a destination... despite the dreamy cows, the ambling people, the darting children, the failed traffic lights, listless policemen, the list is long and familiar to most. Quite often, it's simply a case of too many people and too little road in urban cities like Mumbai! Still, there are a few useful websites that are useful and worth checking out on the Internet:
http://auto.indiamart.com/safetytips/driving.html
www.womanmotorist.com
www.drivers.com
www.realworlddriver.com
http://www.altrec.com/published/travel/ howtos/delhidriving/