Advertisement
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 should 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.
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.
Advertisement
