Welcome news is that fresh regulations on safety-related design and construction of heavy vehicles will likely be rolled out over the next few months. The revision in rules

is long overdue: heavy vehicle construction methods–and the rules governing them– are still stuck in the pre-WWII era, while engines and chassis have gone contemporary. Of course, whether the new rules will be accepted by all state governments is another issue altogether; there are enough state transport departments, which for various reasons, insist on archaic construction methods, and design.

Smoky Joe

Since we are talking about the fastest on the highways, the ultra-luxury buses now plying on cross-country routes bear mention. The Volvos are the most visible, but Tata, Ashok Leyland and even Mercedes Benz can be seen. Their speed–over 150kmph–can be intimidating for the average car driver chugging along at 100 to 140.

Just pray that you are never stuck behind one of these buses in city traffic; they have huge exhaust pipes that spew out amazing volumes of smoke and soot. The BR-7 buses from Volvo are perhaps the worst. A quick investigation revealed that while the main engines of these buses adhere to specified pollution norms, there isn’t a set of norms for the power plants running the AC.

One solution, seen to be effective abroad, is to re-route the exhaust pipe vertically upwards till it’s clear of the vehicle’s roof.

The toilet discharge facility in these buses is another story–one with a very smelly truth.

Seated high

 I’ve always found long drives in utility vehicles disappointing. Invariably, the ride is tiring, and the mileage bad. But the Tavera had me falling off my seat in happy surprise (some friends and I have been up and down the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan Coast in a Tavera that had AC, power steering and some other trappings that make life comfy). It was smooth driving all the way, and the ladies say the ride is as good as in any fine luxury car. The fuel economy: 17 km per litre of diesel over 2,000 plus km with the AC on at all times. Drivers of other UVs have signalled unambiguous confirmation of the same.

The mid-segment UV is fast evolving–from farm pick-up to family car–both in terms of initial cost and fuel consumption. One reason that’s a good thing: in a UV, you rub shoulders with the big boys on the highway. After all, power flows from the height of the driver’s seat!

Driving ’em away

About the problem of rats (see: Over the Top, 31 March 2005), Atul Sarana of Suratkal has a tip: place a partly open pouch of tobacco under the bonnet–the odour keeps the rats away. This is the only good use I’ve seen of tobacco yet.