Loss
of
Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three
control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying
to
steer, and constantly seek an
escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable care suited
to
existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to
your vehicle’s three control systems.
In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering
or
cornering
skid,
too
much speed or steering in
a
curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the
driving wheels to spin.
A
cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your
foot
off
the accelerator pedal.
If
your vehicle starts to slide (as when you turn
a corner on a wet, snow-
or
ice-covered road), ease your foot
off
the
accelerator pedal as soon as you feel the vehicle start
to
slide. Quickly steer
the way you want the vehicle
to
go.
If
you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle will straighten out. As it does, straighten the front wheels.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel,
or
other material
is on the road.
For
safety, you’ll want
to
slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions.
It
is important
to
slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try
your best to avoid
sudden steering, acceleration,
or
braking (including engine braking by shifting
to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You
may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues-such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the
road to make a “mirrored surface”-and slow down when you have any
doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking
skid. Steer the way you want
to
go.
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