Everyone has seen one of those car commercials that feature an exotic and powerful sports car whipping around a coastline of hair-pin curves with ease. Unless you are a professional trained stunt-driver, the glamorous scenarios that are featured in these types of car advertisements can be deadly. Curvy roads cause all types of accidents, particularly if they are not driven on with extra caution.
Whether you are driving around a curvy mountain pass or through a roundabout in your hometown, steering around curves can be tricky and potentially cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Keep the following tips in mind when driving on curvy roads in order to stay safe:
1. All drivers need to have a basic understanding of why curvy roads are dangerous. When a vehicle rounds a curve, there are two types of motion occurring: the vehicle’s tires moving forward because of acceleration and the inertia of the body of the vehicle as it travels around the curve. The conflicting movements sometimes cause skidding, a hazardous driving situation. Now that you understand why curves in the road are dangerous, you can make sure that you take the required safety precautions.
2. Slow down! Most accidents that occur on curves could easily be prevented by reducing the speed of the vehicle. Reduce your speed before approaching a curve. Watch out for road signs warning of approaching curves so that you have ample time to slow down before steering through the curve. It is advisable to drive below the posted speed limit as you approach and drive through curves.
2. Slow down! Most accidents that occur on curves could easily be prevented by reducing the speed of the vehicle. Reduce your speed before approaching a curve. Watch out for road signs warning of approaching curves so that you have ample time to slow down before steering through the curve. It is advisable to drive below the posted speed limit as you approach and drive through curves.
3. Turn as little as possible. There is a specific method of driving through a curve that requires you to turn less. As you approach a curve, move to the side of your lane opposite of the direction of the curve. For example, if the road curves to the left, move to the right side of your lane. As you continue through the curve, position your vehicle towards the other side of your lane. Finally, exit the curve towards the side of the road that you began in. This driving strategy will reduce the severity of a curve and the risk of skidding.