Driving: How to survive different driving situations in the Philippines

Driving can be a challenging task, especially with the different driving conditions and unexpected situations that you may encounter on the road. In the Philippines, for example, the rainy days bring about floods in low lying cities and cause landslides in the mountainous countryside. So how do you prepare for the worst road situations? Carmudi PH has made a list on how every driver can survive different road dilemmas and be on top of every situation, even in the most critical road emergencies. We have listed some of the most common road scenarios that require you to be in the right state of mind and have the right tools at hand to get away from even the worst circumstances.

Blown-out tire

The situation: Perhaps you have been neglecting your car’s tire pressure; it is one hot day and your tire can not take the heat. And as it so happens, you forgot to carry a spare tire with you and the nearest vulcanizing shop just happens to be kilometers away. What will you do? The solution: If this ever happens, squeeze your car’s gas pedal for two seconds to help you control the car and prevent braking and turning. Gently release the accelerator pedal which should allow you to slow down in preparation for stopping at the side of the road. Drive straight down your lane if necessary and coast to a safe 40 kilometers per hour or lower. Quickly turn on your hazard lights to warn other vehicles that you are encountering some problems so they will take caution. Turn toward the part of the road that is on the same side as your blown-out tire. Only then should you call a local mechanic or get your car towed. To prevent your tire from blowing up regularly, monitor its pressure and have it checked from time to time to see if it has developed tread separation and cracks.

Stuck throttle

The situation: Because of some loose floor mats or a poorly placed racecar throttle cable, your throttle may get stuck and your car can be sent flying, although not literally. It is a very uncommon occurrence for most drivers, but it could also be life threatening. The solution: Have a clear mind if your car suddenly accelerates. If your car starts racing when you push the break, quickly release it. In some instances you may actually be pushing the gas by mistake. Putting the transmission in neutral and/or pushing the clutch can also lessen your speed. Don’t worry about your transmission box as most modern cars prevent this damage. Putting it in reverse is also an alternative as it will either stall or act as if it was in neutral. If this still does not work, your last resort is to switch off the ignition. However, this tactic will only be effective on cars with engine off and not with keyless ignition types.

Emergency stop without ABS

The situation: You are driving a ‘90s car model and it does not have an anti-lock brake system (ABS). You realize that you need to stop the car as an unwary pedestrian suddenly crosses the road. How do you react to such a driving challenge? The solution: There is only one way to go- organic ABS with fluid braking skills. You need to push the brake pedal hard, but with the right touch so as not to skid your tires. If your tires stop, its grip on the road drops and you must release the brake pressure carefully until the tires start rolling again and then reapply the brake pressure. Remember, if your brakes are locked, the car will not steer at all. Some drivers, due to panic, suddenly steer the wheels without realizing that they are now pointing left or right instead of forward. Extensive practice in the parking lot could help you react quicker should this situation occur.

Dropping two wheels off the road

Situation: You are on your usual countryside road at a weekend and somehow find two of your tires have dropped off your car. The fall was significantly deep and you now realize that you are on a shoulder that is under construction. How do you get out this mess? The Solution: This should be the easiest problem to handle on the road, but some drivers, especially those who have experienced it for the first time, find it difficult to get out of. First, remove your foot from the accelerator and stay away from the brake pedal. If you have ABS it will come in handy. Drive parallel to the road and maintain a speed of 50 to 60 kph. With two hands on the steering wheel, gently turn it less than 5 degrees and it should slow the car down more. If it is harder to brake, don’t steer it more than 15 degrees. Turning the wheel 45 to 60 degrees will likely cause your front tires to regain traction before your back wheels do, thus either spinning your car out or letting it shoot across the road into other traffic. These are just four of the different driving conditions that a driver can encounter while he is on the road. Look out for up and coming posts about other road situations and the solutions to them.