Driving in the Hills:

30th October 2021 to 10th November 2021

I just finished my journey to the hills by my car. I drove around 600 km in the hills. It was my first four-wheeler driving experience in the hills. Hence I wanted to share my experience and some tips that helped me driving in the hills. I wish to share some of my learnings as well. I hope these tips would be helpful for your visit to the hills. 

Tips and tricks to drive well in the hills:

1. Take a good sleep before you start your journey. Say for instance you have to start your journey early morning then a good sleep, the previous night is of paramount importance. You have to be very attentive while driving in the hills. A slightest of mistake can be fatal. Hence you cannot afford to fall asleep while driving. Many accidents occur due to the driver falling asleep.
   
   
2. Try and utilize as much daylight as you can. Driving in daylight is far better than driving at night. Try and start your journey early morning so as to utilize the sunlight to the maximum extent.
   
   
3. Do not overload your vehicle with luggage or passengers. An overloaded vehicle is difficult to maneuver. Also on the uphill path it becomes difficult for the vehicle to move if it is overloaded.
   
   
4. Keep tyre pressure to optimal. Too much tyre pressure will make the vehicle to bump. Just the optimal tyre pressure helps the vehicle to be clinged to the road on turns.
   
   
5. Hand brakes are often used in the hills; hence make sure your handbrake is working properly. In some instances handbrakes can be life savers; hence a hand brake in proper condition is of utmost importance.
   
   
6. You need to be attentive all the time. A fraction of second of non attentiveness can be dangerous. Hence I kept chewing chewing-gums and at certain instances popped up so candies in my mouth, so that I am attentive all the time. Chewing something probably also avoids falling asleep. I saw few cab drivers chewing match sticks or some small twigs etc probably to serve the same purpose of being attentive and not falling asleep. Also keep yourself hydrated at all time.
   
   
7. Always give priority to the vehicle that is climbing and always drive on correct side of the road i.e. on your left (for India).
   
   
8. Blow horn on curves and bends so that anyone coming from the other side knows that a vehicle is approaching even if it is not visible to them.
   
   
9. If you are not an experience driver and finding it difficult to drive in the hills, following some vehicle whose driver is driving with proper rules and regulations would be a good idea. In this way you can beforehand know what path to follow. Even when following a vehicle, be very attentive as there could be instances where the driver in the vehicle in front of you drives through but you are stuck.
   
   
10. In certain instances where the road is very narrow or the road is obstructed due to some landslide etc, wait for your turn and do not rush to cross the patch of road as in these scenarios only one vehicle can pass at a time and you rushing in your vehicle can cause a jam or even worse can lead to an accident.
    
    
11. If two vehicles are stuck face to face then the priority is given to the vehicle that is climbing. Probably in certain instances you would have to put your vehicle in on handbrake and then back track uphill to give way to the vehicle that is climbing the hill.
    
    
12. While you are climbing the hill, keep good momentum so as to climb the stretch. If your momentum breaks it becomes difficult to gain momentum and the vehicle can come to a halt. In such instances I put my vehicle on handbrake and then slowly climb the hill by putting the vehicle on first gear and simultaneously lowering the handbrake.
    
    
13. Never follow or try to overtake a local cab driver as they normally drive fast and sometimes drive in a risky fashion. Even while overtaking a slow driver follow all rules and regulations. Be patient while overtaking. In my experience truck drivers drive well in the hills with proper rules and regulations. When you ask them for a pass (to overtake them) they give proper indicator when they give pass. Other than the use of indicator to give pass, one of the locals also suggested that if you wish to overtake a truck give them three small horns, if the truck driver has the opportunity to give pass to you he will give a small horn which indicates that now you can overtake.
    
    
14. Give pass to a honking vehicle when you get a broad stretch. Don't be deterred by their honking, but as soon as you get a broad stretch let them overtake as most often than not the overtaking vehicles are of the locals or cab drivers who drive fast.
    
    
15. Last but not the least give respect and follow local traditions & faith. In certain instances all drivers stop at a temple to seek blessings for a safe journey.