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Your Driving and the Road
Braking In Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need
to. With anti-lock, you can
steer and brake at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system
fails to function, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
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
accelerate. Those two control systems-steering and acceleration-can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose
control.
What shoura you
do if this ever happens? Let
up on the 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.
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