THE latest crash involving a bus in Genting might not have claimed any lives. But drivers The New Paper spoke to cautioned about the dangers of driving up to Genting Highlands.
Mr Peter Tan, a director, 55, said the key to coming down the steep slopes of Genting safely would be to 'play with the gears of the car'.
'The best would be to keep shifting between the second and third gears,' he said.
He said it was not advisable to apply the brakes of the car all the way down as the brake pads might wear off.
Said Mr Tan, who has been driving for more than 30 years: 'Not only are the roads steep, it is also very narrow.'
Mr Mike Low, 32, a car mechanic, recommends that drivers should use the 'engine brake' instead of the usual foot brake when coming downhill.
'Engine braking' can be achieved by shifting down to a lower gear.
'If you really need to use the foot brake, you should stop for about 15 minutes midway to let the brake pads cool down,' he added.
Mr Low also advised motorists to conduct pre-maintenance checks on their cars to ensure both front and back brakes are working before making their journey.
Audrey Tan Ruiping, newsroom intern
PAST GENTING ACCIDENTS
JUNE 2008 An express bus plunged into a 20m-deep ravine when travelling from Genting Highlands to Kuala Lumpur, killing two passengers and injuring about 35.
The bus, which had 41 passengers on board, was trying to overtake a car at a bend.
FEBRUARY 2008 Singaporeans were involved in two separate accidents on the way to Genting Highlands over the Chinese New Year weekend. The first involved a tour bus, which overturned. The other involved 11 passengers, including eight Singaporeans. Their van overturned.
JUNE 2007 A bus carrying 28 passengers hit a slope along Gohtong Jaya-Batang Kali road. Just 35 minutes later, a tour bus ferrying 26 Singaporeans crashed into two cars and landed on a van at the Genting Highlands-Karak highway.
