The Changes Needed for Country Driving on Curves
The sun is up, the sky is clear, and the days are long, so what better way to enjoy it than taking a ride through the country. Obtaining clean air and beautiful views definitely makes for a better excursion than your normal commute. If you are like most drivers you also will want to test your car within the laws on roads that are not filled with traffic.
Unfortunately there is a threat when driving in the countryside, which is a significant cause of many accidents and it is called the tightening radius bend. Normally when you travel around a corner its radius stays relatively the same so once you have turned into the corner you very rarely have to increase the steering lock further. Tightening radius bends are different and require more steering lock the further into them 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.
To try and stay on the road, the driver may change the wheel or steering lock, and unfortunately the speed is usually too much. This causes the car to be under steered. The driver may fight this feeling by hitting the brakes, which will worsen the condition. In this situation the vehicle will hit traffic coming down the other lane or it may wind up in a ditch.
The problem is further compounded on country roads because hedges, bushes, or trees can obscure a drivers site regarding a bend. Therefore they are unprepared for the change in the corner and danger ensues.
If you want to avoid being a statistic you will want to use visual cues. Before entering a curve make sure you are going the proper speed by braking or if need be changing the gears.
When you cannot view the curve check for telephone poles or light posts, which can signify a change in the road is about to occur. When driving at night using an oncoming cars light beams can work as a guide. You want to enter any bend at a speed you can safely stop with to ensure you do not unbalance your vehicle.
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. - 21392
Unfortunately there is a threat when driving in the countryside, which is a significant cause of many accidents and it is called the tightening radius bend. Normally when you travel around a corner its radius stays relatively the same so once you have turned into the corner you very rarely have to increase the steering lock further. Tightening radius bends are different and require more steering lock the further into them 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.
To try and stay on the road, the driver may change the wheel or steering lock, and unfortunately the speed is usually too much. This causes the car to be under steered. The driver may fight this feeling by hitting the brakes, which will worsen the condition. In this situation the vehicle will hit traffic coming down the other lane or it may wind up in a ditch.
The problem is further compounded on country roads because hedges, bushes, or trees can obscure a drivers site regarding a bend. Therefore they are unprepared for the change in the corner and danger ensues.
If you want to avoid being a statistic you will want to use visual cues. Before entering a curve make sure you are going the proper speed by braking or if need be changing the gears.
When you cannot view the curve check for telephone poles or light posts, which can signify a change in the road is about to occur. When driving at night using an oncoming cars light beams can work as a guide. You want to enter any bend at a speed you can safely stop with to ensure you do not unbalance your vehicle.
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. - 21392
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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 auto bulbs to cut through the darkness. Upgrade headlight bulbs like the Osram Nightbreaker range will improve the light output from your headlights and are completely road legal.
posted by X - Men @ 10:31 AM
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