As a general rule, keep left to the maximum giving the due space on the right to the oncoming vehicles. Failure to do so would cause tension to the driver of the oncoming vehicle. Driving with tension is a pass port to hell.

When it comes to curves, especially the blind curves, it is a must to apply brakes gently and sound the horn in anticipation of the vehicle from the opposite side , if it is daytime and dip and dim the headlights if it is night time. This would greatly help the driver of the oncoming vehicle to avoid accidents;. He would in turn follow suit.

Even if the driver of the vehicle that comes from the opposite side does not reciprocate your signals, there is nothing loss for you. In fact you would be in an advantageous position. Even if he comes at a great speed, as you anticipate it and drive with focused mind, you can rise to the occasion where as he would be bewildered to negotiate left or right and the chances for the vehicle to capsize are not ruled out. Dispassionate driving is the need of the hour.

Before negotiating on the curves one has to mentally calculate whether such curve is a narrow one or a long one. If it is a narrow one the speed of the vehicle has to be gradually reduced noticeably to 30 - 40 kmpl. The curves are laid with gradient, i.e., they are sloped down towards the centre of the curves to avoid such accidents due to centrifugal force.

Preventive Maintenance

When one has to take the vehicle for a long trip the following items have to be taken care of.

1.   Oil Check up

2.   Brakes check up. If any brake shoes are worn out, replace them by new ones.

3.   Air Check up is of utmost important. Tyres without proper air pressure would not give the due mileage. They have to be properly inflated with digital pressure gauges or else they would deflate the purse of the owner.

4.   Grease packing is a must as it would enhance the life of the vehicle from the effects of wear and tear.

5.   It is a vehicle with power steering one has to be very careful. The driver would find handling the steering effortless . The very term 'power steering' indicates that its function is based on the power supplied by the dynamo which supplies the necessary power to the maneuver the steering. This is possible only when the ignition key is turned on and the engine is running. Suppose the engine is stopped, the power steering would lose its easy handling provision and it would be very difficult to manually handle the steering then. You could not at such times negotiate the curves. This has to be viewed seriously especially when the vehicle moves across the road flooded with water.