Steer it up safely

For the uninitiated, the first encounter on the open road (Philippine ones especially) is usually a traumatic experience. Infinite numbers of slow- moving tricycles ply national highways, most bus drivers seem to have death wishes, and some motorists just don’t follow the rules. You are also likely to come across extremely dangerous hazards, like vehicles missing taillights or headlights, pedestrians that dart across the street, or the occasional drunkards that stumble onto the road. The list can go on and on. The combination of the bad driving habits of other motorists and the "uniqueness" of the Philippines when it comes to motoring can make any out-of-town drive an accident waiting to happen.

I was talking to Carlos Anton recently and we came across the subject of how driving in the Philippine setting can be a treacherous ordeal. A stickler for safety, he’s also one of the quickest drivers on the racetrack, having won the 2001 Philippine Junior Touring and Subic Production Car Championships, which can be added to the already innumerable awards he has garnered through the years.

And after sharing stories of our near misses and close-calls on the road, Carlos (who drives back and forth from Baguio to Subic to attend the races on a regular basis) offered me a few tips and reminders that would make the drive safer not only for you and your passengers but for other motorists as well.

So who better to give driving advice than a pro?

• When driving, look forward as far (and I mean as far) as the eye can see and not just a few cars ahead of you. This way, if something happens down the road you have time to prepare yourself. If something should happen closer to your car don’t worry, your peripheral vision is sure to catch it.

• In an emergency, never slam on the brakes to the point of lock-up. When this happens, your tires lose traction, and without traction the car is no longer under your control. In an event like this, the driver is helpless to undertake any more evasive maneuvers since the steering won’t respond, so as much as possible don’t lock your brakes.

• If you are sleepy, just pull over to the next gas station and catch some Zs. Loading up on caffeine would help, but it would be a better alternative to grab some rest instead. By the way, studies have also shown that blasting the car stereo or rolling down the windows don’t help in combating drowsiness, so why risk it?

• Reduce speed in towns or would-be congested areas, even in the middle of the night. Honk a little while driving through these parts, just as a warning to let people know that you are coming through.

• Try to anticipate the actions of the other cars on the road. For example, if you see a vehicle parked on the shoulder with its front wheels pointing in towards the road, then chances are the driver is ready to pull into the lane. Being mindful of these little details help a great deal in accident avoidance.

• Quick as you think you are, there might be someone who is quicker than you. Before overtaking take a peek at your side mirror and make sure that no one is trying to overtake you. Not doing so can lead to a major accident, especially at high speeds.

• When overtaking, make sure that you are in the right gear, meaning, you must have more than enough power on tap to complete the maneuver because you never know, the car you are overtaking might speed up. If it is nighttime, switch your lights on to bright so that the driver in front of you will be aware of your presence.

• In relation to the previous reminder, if someone is overtaking you, hold back the racer instinct and maintain your speed. Do not speed up. The other driver has probably already gauged the distance and time it will take to pass you, and you don’t want him boxed out of your lane if another car is headed at him from the other direction. The fact that the overtaking driver has caught up with you and with steam to pass means he is already going at a faster rate than you are, so just let him through.

• Do not follow an overtaking car unless you are sure that there is enough space to get back into your lane after the maneuver. Chances are the driver ahead of you is leaving enough room for himself only, and if another car is coming from the other lane, the driver in front of you will see it and you won’t. The safer thing to do when overtaking is to pass one at a time. At least that way you literally won’t be putting "blind" faith on the driver ahead of you.

• If you have the open road all to yourself and no one is headed your way, drive with your left wheels on the center line. That way, if any tricycles, kids, dogs, or drunkards find their way onto the road, you already have more space to avoid them.

• Don’t make any sudden movements with the steering wheel if you are going at a reasonably fast speed as you might lose control of the car.

• Lastly, keep your eyes on the road. If you have companions, you can talk to them all you want but keep your eyes up front. Don’t forget to wear your seatbelt of course, and don’t text and drive.