Mountain Driving: Tips for Safe Driving on Hill Roads

Are you planning to drive to the mountains to escape the scorching heat and crowds of metro cities? Driving in the mountains is an experience like no other. Adrenaline and adventure go hand in hand when you are driving in hilly areas. However, along with this adventure, there comes a layer of caution as well. One should be careful when driving in mountainous areas. There can be a risk of landslides and accidents due to the narrow mountainous roads. If any dangerous incident happens, you could get a bodily injury and your car could be damaged, too. One of the effective ways to deal with such scenarios is to have a car insurance plan. While you may have the mandatory third-party plan, it is ideal to opt for a comprehensive plan to get all-round protection.* Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under car insurance policy. Since there are many distractions and dangers on mountain roads, it is important to set some safety rules. In that context, let’s have a look below.

Tips To Drive Safely On Hill Roads And Mountains 

When exploring the picturesque mountain ranges of India in your car, do not forget to follow these tips to have a safe time.

1. Prepare yourself and your car

Before beginning the journey, it is essential to be thoroughly prepared yourself and ensure that your car is ready too. You should get enough sleep the night before, since you need to be attentive while driving. If you have motion sickness issues, then pack the right medicines for the journey. As for your car, you need to get the vital aspects, such as the brakes, the clutch, engine oil levels, the coolant level, and so on, properly checked. Don’t keep important or fragile items on the dashboard or in open compartments as they may fall off due to sudden turns and bumpy roads.

2. Take breaks at regular intervals 

One of the important hill driving tips is to ensure that you take regular breaks. This is mostly important if you are driving through a particularly challenging route or are heading towards one. Manoeuvring your car through such stretches requires you to be very attentive. All your mental energies need to focus on ensuring that the drive is safe. Hence, it is advisable to avoid driving continuously for long stretches without breaks. The rest time will rejuvenate you and make sure you are ready for the challenging road ahead.

3. Remove blind spots from the front of the car

One of the essential road safety rules to keep in mind while travelling in the mountains is to remove things such as hanging decors from the front of your car. Many people like to keep small toys or other items hanging from the rear-view mirror. This can cause a blind spot when initiating a turn on narrow roads, which can easily lead to accidents. Similarly, even the adjustment of your seat should be such that the A-pillar of your car does not obstruct your front vision during turns. This can also help prevent accidents to a great degree.

4. Note down emergency contact numbers

Even though you are taking as many precautions as you can, an unfortunate incident can happen anytime. One must be prepared for such scenarios too. For instance, what would you do if your car suffered a breakdown in the middle of nowhere? Since hilly areas also tend to be remote, finding a car repair shop may be difficult. That is why, you must have a list of emergency contact numbers whom you can rely on in such situations. You can reach out to them if anything unfortunate happens and help will be at hand. Most car insurance providers offer the roadside assistance feature. With it, you can reach out to your insurer, and they will send a representative to assist you, even in remote places. * Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under car insurance policy.

5. Avoid riding downhill in neutral gear 

When driving on a decline, many people often resort to neutral gear and think of using brakes repeatedly to restrict speed. However, frequent braking can cause the brakes to heat up and lose their braking potential. This can be dangerous and even fatal, leading to accidents. Hence, let the transmission do its job so that it would not lose traction. Aside from the above points on hill driving, also remember to use a low beam at night, avoid overtaking on blind curves, alert other drivers in case of blind curves, and most importantly, stay in your lane. Before you begin your ride up the hills, do not forget to check if you have carried out your car insurance renewal. If your car insurance policy is not valid, it may not be helpful during difficult situations. * By taking care of these things, you can have an adventurous yet a safe drive up in the mountains. * Standard T&C apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.