How To Corner Safely When Driving Your Car On Country Roads
Driving in great weather is something many of us love to do. We like to go out, feel the warm weather and let the sun shine down while we visit the country. Daily commutes tend to get boring, and stagnate. With new views and fresh air it is possible to enjoy your cars power while staying within the laws of the road.
UK roads in the country are tight, so when a curve comes up there is a phenomenon called the tightening radius bend. This condition is a danger for drivers, and is a leading cause of accidents. When you go around a corner the radius is the same as when you began to turn, so you don't have to adjust the wheel. On a curve in the country the bends are different, which means you have to adjust the wheel the further you go.
The typical example of a crash caused by a tightening radius bend is a when the driver turns into a corner at a speed they think suitable for the conditions and corner type, but mid way through the bend significantly tightens.
In an attempt to stay on course the driver applies more steering lock but the speed is too high and the car starts to understeer. To fight this the driver applies the brake sharply which worsens the understeer and the car ploughs on either into an oncoming car or off the road and into a ditch.
The countryside offers another challenge to drivers, especially in the summer. Since the bends can be quite tight it can be difficult to see the changes in the road. In the summer hedges, bushes, or trees can also obscure the curve. A driver can easily be caught by a sudden corner.
In order to avoid becoming another countryside crash statistic you need to use extra visual clues if the bend is obscured, and ensure that all of your braking and gear changes have been done before you enter the corner.
If you cannot see through the corner, look ahead for telegraph poles or lamp posts which are normally at the edge of the road and give advanced warning of the shape of the bend. If you are driving at night use the light from an on coming car's headlight bulbs as a guide. Only enter a bend at a speed that allows you to stop safely on your side of the road within the distance you can see and avoid unbalancing a car mid corner by braking or changing gear.
After the curve begins to dissipate you will be able to increase your speed again. There are other dangers in the country besides bends in the road for you to be watchful of. Mud, slower moving vehicles, and even livestock can create accidents. If you think "What If" when driving, you could avoid an accident. - 21393
UK roads in the country are tight, so when a curve comes up there is a phenomenon called the tightening radius bend. This condition is a danger for drivers, and is a leading cause of accidents. When you go around a corner the radius is the same as when you began to turn, so you don't have to adjust the wheel. On a curve in the country the bends are different, which means you have to adjust the wheel the further you go.
The typical example of a crash caused by a tightening radius bend is a when the driver turns into a corner at a speed they think suitable for the conditions and corner type, but mid way through the bend significantly tightens.
In an attempt to stay on course the driver applies more steering lock but the speed is too high and the car starts to understeer. To fight this the driver applies the brake sharply which worsens the understeer and the car ploughs on either into an oncoming car or off the road and into a ditch.
The countryside offers another challenge to drivers, especially in the summer. Since the bends can be quite tight it can be difficult to see the changes in the road. In the summer hedges, bushes, or trees can also obscure the curve. A driver can easily be caught by a sudden corner.
In order to avoid becoming another countryside crash statistic you need to use extra visual clues if the bend is obscured, and ensure that all of your braking and gear changes have been done before you enter the corner.
If you cannot see through the corner, look ahead for telegraph poles or lamp posts which are normally at the edge of the road and give advanced warning of the shape of the bend. If you are driving at night use the light from an on coming car's headlight bulbs as a guide. Only enter a bend at a speed that allows you to stop safely on your side of the road within the distance you can see and avoid unbalancing a car mid corner by braking or changing gear.
After the curve begins to dissipate you will be able to increase your speed again. There are other dangers in the country besides bends in the road for you to be watchful of. Mud, slower moving vehicles, and even livestock can create accidents. If you think "What If" when driving, you could avoid an accident. - 21393
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If you want to make good progress when motoring along country roads at night you are going to need very good car lights to cut through the darkness. Upgrade headlight bulbs like the Osram Nightbreaker will improve the light output from your headlights and are totally street legal.
posted by X - Men @ 2:11 AM
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