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The monsoon roads
FEAR OF the Chennai Traffic Police's speed radar guns should rightly put a restraining hand on the speedometer, more so the fear of monsoon. Over-speeding is always a slippery slope, but it assumes greater danger when the rain gods are around.
"Skidding is very common during rain. Every time you accelerate, brake or steer suddenly, you can skid. And braking distance increases on wet roads, so keep well behind the vehicle ahead," says Saravanabhavan, a safety consultant with the Loss Prevention Association of India. "Driving fast through pools of water can harm your brakes and spread water under the bonnet which can stop your engine."
Attention to detail (regarding your car) could often be the dividing line between life and death during monsoon.
"Worn-out tyres can cause dangerous skids. Replace them. Make sure your wiper blades are not old or cracked. Use your headlights even during the day. Be extra cautious while reversing." Not checking the level of the brake oil could be foolhardy.
"Immediately after you have passed through a pool of water, apply the brake a few times, for water could have entered the brake shoes and brake pads," says Kuppusami, deputy works manager, Sundaram Motors.
"During rains, there could be mist formation on the inside of the windshield. You could demist the windshield by switching the air-conditioner system to the atmospheric mode," he says.
"Before switching off the engine, depress the clutch about eight to ten times so that water particles on the clutch plate are removed. Failure to do so could lead to `shuttering'," he says.
Give your car the benefit of an anti-corrosion paint after the monsoon is over. In point of fact, even monsoon apart, there is a strong case for dousing your car in anti-corrosion paint, because Chennai is a shore-based city.
If you are in the habit of driving with a punctured spare tyre, mend your ways. It is the experience of most drivers to encounter tyre-menders who had set up shop on pavements of deserted roads even on Sundays or other holidays. Don't expect such luck to bail you out when the sky is a leaking cistern. The showers would drive such saviours away. If you have a spare tyre that is punctured, set it right. And learn how to change tyres, if you do not know how.
When the rain gods shower their bounty as if there were no tomorrow, the best driving you could is "no driving" at all. Pull up by the side of the road. Keep the parking lights are on.
The ancient Babylonian tradition has it that Quolisaros (which is the principle of error personified as a demon) is as pervasive as air. During monsoon, the demon of error enjoys greater latitude on our roads. Keeping this in view, one would do well to practise defensive driving. Put simply, defensive driving means taking responsibility for the other road users, as also making allowance for their errors.
"Cyclists, two-wheeler riders and handcart pullers get blinded by the rain as they do not have the advantage of a windshield wiper. The driver should look out for them," says Saravanabhavan. "The responsible driver also looks out for pedestrians, as most of them pay more attention to protecting themselves from the rain than from dangers on the road."
If the recent gully-washers are anything to go by, Chennai is in for a phenomenal drenching this season. And your driving skills could be put to the acid test. Commit the afore-given tips to heart, and nothing can prevent you from coming out with flying colours. Not even demonic rainstorms.
P.F.
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