How to Safely Drive on Mountain Roads – AutoPH 101

If there is a skill that some people can be proud of, it’s being able to or being an expert when it comes to driving on twisty mountain roads. Knowing that I do a lot of road trips with my friends, I’d like to share some tips and skills that will be very much applicable when you take those twists and turns. 

We are all probably itching for a summer road trip, which sadly cannot happen soon thanks to the global pandemic. Nevertheless, these tips will be very useful once you are able to hit the road again. 

Here are the six basic skills you need to know about driving on mountain roads.

Building momentum when ascending

When traversing inclines, you will need to build your speed to give you the momentum that your vehicle will need to go up. You can do this by adding a little bit more power and acceleration while approaching the incline. It’s the same principle as when going up flyovers and bridges in the city.

Do take note that too much uncalculated speed is also dangerous. Just the right amount of speed and power will get you up there. Plus, also take note that you should be cautious of the vehicles going down the opposite direction. Don’t drive too close to them to avoid accidents even if you should be given the right of way. 

Engine braking when descending

Always be careful when descending on steep roads. You should start slowing down when approaching the downward slope or corner, lower your gear, then descend gently. The engine’s RPM will immediately go up and you will be able to feel an upward pull as if you were using your brakes if done correctly. This means that your descent is being controlled by the engine and is slowed down. 

If you decide to just use your brakes you will most likely end up burning them out and lose them for the rest of the descent which is one of the worst things that can ever happen when you’re behind the wheel.

Proper overtaking

You should never ever overtake on a blind corner even if you think that there is no other vehicle in the opposite direction. You will never know what is approaching on the other side of the road. If you really want or need to overtake the vehicle ahead of you, it is best to wait for a straight or slightly curved section of road while not  forgetting to check first for possible vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.

In addition, accelerate first before entering the opposite lane as it will help you gain better momentum for overtaking, and will also have better guarantee that you complete your overtaking maneuver.

Taking turns

Always slow down when approaching a curve. This perhaps is the most common warning when driving in mountainous areas. You’ll usually see a sign on the side asking you to slow down. 

To make driving on the curve easier, slightly veer away and position your vehicle to the outer side of your lane so that you would not need to steer as much. Miscalculations and overconfidence are often the causes of why some motorists get into accidents while on zigzag roads. 

Entering a town

Mountain roads and areas are also home to hundreds of people. When on a road trip, you will most likely pass through a small town or at times, a city, on your way to your destination. As you approach a town, always lower your speed to anywhere between 30 to 50 kilometers per hour. Be cautious of the foot and vehicular traffic inside the town. It is always best to be in your defensive driving mode especially in busy areas like this one. 

Pulling over

One of the best things about road trips is scenery. There are times that we just have to stop and marvel at the view. Of course you can do so provided that there is space for you to pull over. When you pass by beautiful scenery and you wish to stop and take a picture, you can slow down and pull over to the side if there’s no vehicle behind you. If there’s one or more of them trailing behind you, show your intent by using your turn signal to alert them then start slowing down and driving to the side safely.

Give way to overtaking vehicles

It is a common Filipino trait to not give way when someone is overtaking. While it is good sometimes, especially when falling in line at a toll booth or drive thru, you should never block vehicles trying to overtake you. More often than not, the drivers behind these vehicles are more experienced than you and may have years of experience with the road you’re on. You might end up causing an accident if you keep up your sense of pride.