Good motoring
Safety saves
H. Kishie Singh

This is an advice from a young lady, Nikki, I taught driving many years ago. She could handle the Gypsy at my farm even though she had never driven on roads. Needless to say, everything written in this column was drilled into her. She got her Chandigarh driver’s licence at first shot. Later on she got a Canadian driver’s licence. She now lives in Delhi and works in Gurgaon. Gurgaon is not the safest of places for young ladies to be driving, especially at night.

Nikki has some useful tips to drive safe and get home safe. As she gets to her car in the parking lot, she checks the tyres. One of the easiest ways to stall a car is to deflate the tyres. The baddies who hang around parking lots identify cars driven by young ladies and deflate the tyres partially. Within a couple of kilometres of driving, the driver, sensing a puncture, stops. That's when the miscreants swing into action.

It would be safer to stay in the parking lot and get help. There is another reason for walking around the car. This is to make sure no one is hiding on the passenger side. As she unlocks the driver’s door, thanks to central locking, all four doors open. As the lady settles into the driving seat, the miscreants can open the passenger door and gain entry into the car.

Another hint. As soon as you unlock the driver's door, open it a few millimetres and quickly lock it again. This makes sure all three doors are locked; only the driver’s door is open. Get into the car and press the lock button. You are now safely seated in your car. Put your handbag out of sight — maybe under your seat but certainly not on the passenger seat, where prying eyes can see it.

Keep your cellphone handy, not in the handbag, which is hidden away. While driving, avoid talking on the cellphone but be prepared for an emergency. As you fire up the engine, buckle up and adjust the heater or A/C controls. No fiddling around while driving.

Another hi-tech option in some cars is remote locking. Equipped with this device, some drivers unlock their cars from 10-15 metres away, enough time for some one else to enter your car before you get to it. Nikki has some more safety hints. Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area. Your keys should be in your hand, ready to use. Don't waste time trying to find your keys in one of your pockets.

In the morning reverse into the parking area. This way you won't waste time reversing out, which is time consuming and could be difficult in the dark. On the way home stick to the main roads, which are busy and well lit. Keep the petrol tank at least half full. It can be a bad situation if you are driving fast to avoid unruly elements and the needle is hovering around the empty mark.

Needless to say, your car should be in excellent running condition. It should start instantly and not falter if you have to step hard on the accelerator. As you leave the parking lot, call some one from your family or a friend and inform him that you are heading home. Leave the phone on redial mode so that at one press of the button you can contact your family member or a friend in case you are confronted by a rogue.

Nikki commutes about 50 km a day, as do thousands of other girls. Delhi today has the dubious distinction if being the crime capital of the country. These hints could prove invaluable. I am learning from these youngsters. True, child is the father of man.

Happy motoring.