Going on a self-drive holiday? Stock up on these expert tips before you hit the road.

Getting ready

- Plan your route and travel with a partner if possible, taking turns to drive. Take a break after every three to four hours on the road.

- If you are driving into the woods, always contact park rangers and inform them of your route. In case of emergency, you can be easily located.

- Rest well before the drive. Make sure you have enough fuel, drinking water and snacks, and a spare tyre that is ready for use.

- If renting a car, make sure you get one in good condition. Check tyres for sufficient thread. If possible, take along your own tyre inflator and check if the rental company has an AA back-up service in case of emergency. When driving in wintry conditions, make provisions for chains.

- Do not leave anything valuable exposed in the car, especially at rest points.

Beware livestock or hailstorm

- Although the Highway Code is international, familiarise yourself with native road signs and traffic rules.

- Look out for weather conditions you do not experience in Singapore from mists to hailstorms. Strong crosswinds are hazardous because they may make your vehicle swerve. Look out for wind socks which indicate wind intensity and direction.

- In countries such as New Zealand, look out for one-lane bridges. You will need to stop before entering the bridge if there is an oncoming vehicle. Roads in certain places such as Fraser's Hill in Malaysia have traffic flow that is only one way, for ascending and descending, according to odd and even hours.

- Look out for livestock or wild animals crossing the road. When driving at night or along narrow trails flanked by thick vegetation, be prepared for startled wildlife bolting across your path.

- Watch your speed on winding mountain roads, dirt tracks and mud paths. Conventional family sedans are not designed to handle rough conditions and you may damage your car with reckless driving.

Hazard lights play it safe

- In Malaysia, especially on trunk roads, drivers will signal right to indicate that it is not safe to overtake. When it is safe to do so, they will give a left signal.

- When it is raining heavily, Malaysian drivers may switch on hazard lights.

- Unlike in Singapore, a flashing high beam from a car on the opposite side of the road is not an aggressive gesture. The driver may actually be warning you of a speed trap ahead or, if at night, that you are approaching a bend or over a hill.

- While you can switch on your high beam when travelling at night along poorly-lit roads, provided there are no cars in front, turn them off momentarily when there is an oncoming vehicle so as not to blind the driver.

Watch your manners

- Always give way, wave to say thanks and do not tailgate or honk excessively. In other countries and especially in the countryside where the pace of life is more relaxed, the hectic city-style driving that most Singaporeans are accustomed to will only antagonise locals.


This article was first published in The Straits Times on Oct 21, 2008.

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