Your Driving
and
the
Road
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A
lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen on
curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of
physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels.
If
there’s no traction, inertia
will
keep the vehicle going in
the same direction.
If
you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the
brakes. Both control systems-steering and braking-have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Adding the hard braking can demand too
much at those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen
if
you’re steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those
two control systems-steering and acceleration-can overwhelm those places
where the tires meet the road and make you lose control.
What should you
do
if
this ever happens? Let up on the brake or accelerator
pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of
course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions.
Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If
you need
to
reduce your speed as you approach a curve,
do
it
before you
enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your
speed
so
you can “drive” through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
When you drive into a curve at night, it’s harder to see the road ahead of
you because it bends away from the straight beams of your lights. This is
one
good
reason to drive slower.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For
example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a
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