(Newswire.net — May 30, 2019) — We might all have to drive through a forest with hilly terrain at some point. Whether it is going to be for a nature camp vacation, hunting expedition, visit to parents or grandparents in the countryside etc. Even if you end up not driving through a forest or hilly area, you’ll have someone around you who will have to do that and having the right knowledge to deal with complicacies that are peculiar to driving in such a terrain and environment is essential.
It is a fact that some of the most beautiful sceneries are in the most obscure natural places and we often have to get to those places via routes and roads with terrible conditions. It is sometimes through a forest or rough hilly drive. One of the aims of a driving training is to prepare drivers for all sort of terrain and peculiarities that come with different environment and driving situations, the best kind of driving lessons might not be able to get you through these situations. A typical everyday drive back home or driving to any destination on a smooth flat road is relatively simple compared to driving up a hill with a rough terrain, unfriendly bends surrounded with thick bushes and woods. Similarly, driving on a tarred and flat road without bumps and little hindrance in the city is still joy riding compared to the roller coaster that will be likely experienced while driving through hilly forest and you should prepare yourself for that. This article will also enable you prepare to deal with such a scenario if it ever occurs.
Complicacies that may likely occur while driving in a forest hill area:
- Exhaustion: after driving for hours in a bumpy road with tree roots and jagged terrain. Exhaustion will definitely set in. So when going on a drive like this, take along something that can energize you and keep you alert.
- Tire burst: even if your tires are in excellent condition, there is a chance that one of the tires might hit a sharp stone or nick something. It’s better if that kind of eventuality is prepared for
- Killing Animals: as much as it’s a fact that having an extra smooth ride is an impossibility while driving through forest terrain, you don’t want to add killing of an animal to the list because they could just come out of nowhere without announcement. So keep an eye out for them, you are driving through their homes.
- Rough weather: either heavy rainfall or snowfall can make an already uncomfortable drive more uncomfortable. So, anticipate and prepare for it if it is a winter or rain period.
Tips for driving in a forest hill area
While driving through a forest, coordination and attention is very necessary, that can only be gotten via good driving if you want to be able to drive through successfully without no disturbance or break in the journey. Though, driving through more than a layer of snow in a forest and hilly terrain can be a complicated task. If the driver and the automobile are in sync and operate as one. The driver will be overcome daunting natural environmental elements. Some of the tips gotten from good training that can help you are highlighted below.
Take the time to know about the route you are planning to take
If you really have to drive through forest terrain, then, it is important that you take your time to find out about the route. Use a map that shows all the forest service roads and bear it at the back of your mind that some of these roads might not be accessible by a car. You can also get information about such routes from the local tourist center or the local police station. Information like these could be a lifesaver. If you reach a dead end or see a signpost that instructs you to turn around, then, turning around will be an expedient decision for the driver.
Drive a car suited for rough hill and forest terrain
No matter the warm feelings you have towards your Rolls Royce or a fancy car, you cannot take it for a forest hill drive, they are not just suited for it. The best cars for driving in rough terrains are off-road cars. Off-road cars are capable of driving on both paved and gravel surface roads. A pretest training lessons would be helpful in such cases. They are also well suited for roads with very unbalanced and unfriendly terrain. If you really want to make such a drive then, going with the right vehicle is essential.
Make sure your car is in excellent working conditions
Driving a car that is in “not such good condition” can be a pain in the butt if it is driven through unfriendly terrain. Imagine driving through a hilly forest area during winter without good tires, faulty brakes, Bad fuel filter, clogged exhaust filters, clogged air filter, etc. Doing that is setting yourself up for complicacies that will get any driver frustrated. Before embarking on a drive such as this, make sure that all the components that makes your car road worthy are intact and make sure all the equipment needed to wade an emergency is with you. This includes your Phone, spare tire and tools needed for changing the tire, etc.
Keep your eyes on the road
Because you may be driving through routes that you are unfamiliar, you need to keep your eyes on the road at all times. Avoid potholes and heavy tree branches that might have fallen on the road. If you are carrying luggage on top of the vehicle, make sure they are well tied to the roof of the car. The fact that roads like this are sometimes deathly silent doesn’t mean you are the only one driving through. Watch out for incoming vehicles, trucks and long vehicles. Be careful how you take sharp turns. Envisage bends and slow down before taking them. You should also keep your eyes opened for wide spots along the road where you can easily pull over while a long vehicle or bigger car passes along.
Avoid speeding
While driving too slowly is not advisable because of fatigue and exhaustion, it is also vital that you do not over speed. Avoid speedy accelerations; it will help you approach unexpected situations better while driving.
Driving through a forest with hills can be challenging, but with the right approach and preparedness, it wouldn’t be such a bad experience.