Shockingly, according to a report published by the World Bank, Saudi Arabia, along with Malaysia, South Africa and Thailand, is among the most dangerous countries to drive in! One reason for this could be that 95% of the country’s geographic domain comprises of deserts and driving through such sandy terrain could be especially dangerous if you do not choose the right vehicle and are not accustomed to braving those tricky sand dunes. Here’s a look at some simple yet practical tips for desert driving that will go a long way in ensuring your safety.
Things to Keep in Mind before Planning a Desert Drive
And most importantly, drive slowly. Although you may be equipped with a powerful machine like the Hilux Saudi Arabia, speeding across a desert makes no sense. When the speed is low, negotiating obstacles becomes much easier and you also cause minimal damage to your vehicle and tires.
Things to Keep in Mind before Planning a Desert Drive
- Choosing the Right Vehicle: When in the desert, you will need a vehicle with higher ground clearance than the standard car. Vehicles like the Hilux Saudi Arabia or the Toyota FJ Cruiser could be good choices here. SUVs and all wheel drives do well on desert terrains. For steep roads and rocky terrains, truck based SUVs are ideal.
- Maintenance Backup is a Must: Give a maintenance backup to your vehicle before starting off in the desert. You will need to check on your tires and replace them with high quality ones. Remember, tires tend to break due to excessive pressure when driving across the desert. Carrying along a good spare is a must too. Make sure you also carry a complete tool kit, including jumper cables, spare fuses, extra motor oil, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and so on. Vehicles like the Hilux Saudi Arabia have plenty of space at the back, where you can easily store all types of supplies.
- Consider Travelling in Groups: It is always a good idea to travel in groups when planning to drive through a desert. Even better, move ahead in a convoy. It is also advisable to keep an extra car in your convoy for carrying supplies alone. It could even double up as a backup vehicle.
- Be Vigilant: Deserts are known for notorious troubles, such as quicksand and soft loose sand. Both can be equally dangerous. While the former is found in shallow, small patches it can be fatal for cars, since it cannot support much weight. Soft sand can also cause trouble, since it traps the vehicle and does not allow it to move.
And most importantly, drive slowly. Although you may be equipped with a powerful machine like the Hilux Saudi Arabia, speeding across a desert makes no sense. When the speed is low, negotiating obstacles becomes much easier and you also cause minimal damage to your vehicle and tires.