drive on expressway

Hi

Just felt that this might be the right section for my post..I am likely to drive from Pune to Mumbai on the expressway coming weekend. This will be the first time I shall be driving this long. Have hardly driven on expressway..only once I had gone upto the first toll from Pune side and came back just to get the feel of expressway. That time a gap in the divider was kept open just before the toll booth.

It’s Maruti Alto driven around < 3000 KMs in past 2 years!! Yes it’s driven very less!!
Wish to get few tips or info from you

Are there any difficult spots on this road and in general if you have any general suggestions/advice for the first timer! I plan to travel in the early morning hours and may as well be alone traveler

What are the measures if the vehicle breaks down, I have seen some mobile number signages on the expressway

Thanks..

Sorry Rick but this is not the correct section.You should have posted it in the travel Experiences.Mumbai-pune highway is not at all difficult to drive.Only be careful driving in ghat.No problem, you can go in the alto without any problems.If you travel alone make sure you listen to music and have chewing gums which will feel you fresh and alert.

Rick.

1. Keep your speed excitement to 80 Km to MAx 100 KMphr. ALAWAYS BE IN YOUR LANE.

2. use Right lane to overtake only & do not continue driving on the same.(have seen many doing so).

3. Always keep watch in your rear view mirror before changing lane. you will find few speed enthusiasts overtaking you from both sides. SO always stick to your lane.

4. check tyre pressure & keep your spare tyre inshape.

5. Be Alert at all point of time. the reason being most of the car are speeding. The margin for  error is quit less.

6. The GHAT section after LOnavala is quite tricky for first timers. As there are sudden curves which will take you by surprise if you are speeding hard. Being your first time drive safe after Lonavala up to the Toll naka.

7. Always watchout for diversions. There is always some or the otherkind of repair works carriedupon on the expressway. I always felt that the diversion signs are too close to the repair junction. Hence you get very little time to change lane incase of FAST heavy traffic.

Well these are few i can think of hand. DO not get carried away by the other fast moving cars & check your car limits. Its a MAD WORLD out there on expressway when you see people over speeding. You thought my get tempted to , but i suggest for the first time just enjoy the expressway with your speed restricted as mentioned above.

Have a safe journy.. & do give your feed back on your returne.

My 2 cents (quite similar to Satish)

1. Drive below 100 kmph

2. Stick to lane

3. give indicators well in advance to change lane

4. Do not get tempted to drive fast seeing others zooming past your car

Great tips guys.

Forgot to mention,happy journy...

I am being a new driver have a doubt on this. My friend tells me to always go on the right lane so that it will be easy for over taking slow moving vehicles (as such i go a max of 80-90 only). I did the same by keeping on right lane. Other speeding vehicles had over taken me on the left. I hope i was driving on wrong lane. Pls correct me so that i dont repeat the mistake again. I am planning for another Highway drive this weekend.

gr8 tips...thanks a lot

Hi Rick

Based on your (nice you asked) questions, I believe you are a conservative driver, which is a good thing.

Everything Satish said is great. Plus a little from my experience of the expressway (I go often)

- The ghat section is easy when you're going to Pune but the SLOPES of ghat while coming back to Mumbai can be really deceptive. While coming back, go really slow on the slopes of the  ghat - very few cars have the kind of traction needed for high speeds on those slopes.

- Use the indicator (city or highway) before/while changing lanes.

- There are people on expressway who ARE going at 180+ kmph  ;) . Therefore please follow lane discipline. Please use the rightmost lane only for overtaking. 

- It's a fun road to drive and among the safest if you follow rules. Happy driving. Please don't cross 80 in the Alto.

@Jey. Yes you are suppose to move away from the right lane so that other driving faster than you may over-take you from right and not left. Its very dangerous for you as well as the person overtaking you from left side, as you both may not understand each others intension and may crash into each other. I have seen quite a few incidents like this. As per Indian Road norms right lane is for speeding vehicles who want to over take.

Thanks Anshu & others. Will take care of lane discipline while driving hereafter.