The rainy season is here...definitely a good thing. Of course, living in this part of Mexico brings the more dramatic storms; it doesn't just rain, no, Mother Nature seems to be somewhat moodier in these parts. Personally I love it, those atomic clouds which generate forceful thunder that echoes through the mountains, and the buckets of rain drenching Lakeside just send me into the clouds. Unfortunately, this fabulous season can be dangerous for driving!
It occurred to me just yesterday, after seeing a horse getting hit on the highway, that all this rain brings foliage to the roadsides which in turn offers the horses and cows more to eat. There's always the problem of livestock crossing the highway, but it seems there are more attempting it than usual this time of year. For your safety and the protection of all animals, be very watchful. A simple suggestion, if you do happen to pass animals crossing the highway, put on your flashers to warn oncoming traffic.
Another factor influenced by the rainy season would be falling rocks and mudslides. Ever tried to outrun a falling boulder? Fortunately, it doesn't happen often, but certainly something we all have to watch out for. The stretch of road in front of the Coffee tree in Chapala has been cordoned off by the municipio for just this reason. It's amazing how much damage driving over a small rock can cause... and much like a horse, very difficult to see at night, until your right on top of it.
Whether it's an animal or a falling rock crossing the highway, chances are we're going to have to stop abruptly, or slow down while maneuvering. I can't stress enough how maintaining the safety of your vehicles is an important factor in avoiding these hazards. When was the last time you checked the condition of the tires on your car, had an alignment, or had the brakes inspected? These elements will greatly influence the reaction and handling of your vehicle. If a tire is low or out of alignment, the car will pull to one side or another, which could make the difference in missing or hitting something. Balding tires could blowout easily, completely taking control away from the driver. Of course, without brakes - how could you stop in the first place!
Something else to think about: Recently, while driving to work, a small dog ran across the highway in front of me. My reaction was to slam on the brakes. I locked the four wheels and slid. Fortunately, I missed the four-legged creature but put flat spots on the front tires as a result.
What occurred to me, after the fact, was that I never looked in my rear view mirror to see if a car was close behind before I hit the brakes. If there had been, he surely would have hit me, and that could have been very serious. When put in this kind of situation, we rarely have time to think of our options and what the consequences would be - our reflexes just take over. Always look beyond, not just in the lane you are traveling in or to the car in front of you, but look further and anticipate problems. If you see kids at the side of the road, slow down and be ready to stop in case they run out into traffic. This is called defensive driving, something we all have to practice all of the time.
If you have any comments, ideas or questions that might interest our readers, please forward them to S&S Auto:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
