You are approaching the curve at 40 mph to maintain control when should you adjust your speed

Everyone has seen one of those car commercials that feature an exotic and powerful sports car whipping around a coastline of hairpin curves with ease. Unless you are a professionally 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.

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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.
Never ignore curvy road signs
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.
4
If drivers are not careful to pay attention, they often veer towards either side of their lane while driving through curves. Make sure that you follow the above steering recommendations to avoid driving out of your lane. However, you must also keep watch for approaching drivers while rounding a curve. Approaching drivers who are driving too close to the center of the road while driving through a curve may put you in danger of a head-on collision. Additionally, you must make sure that you do not steer off the road by taking a curve too wide. If this happens, slow down and calmly steer your vehicle back onto the road. Avoid over-correcting or slamming on the breaks. The following video contains several typical mistakes that inexperienced drivers make on curvy roads:
5
Accelerate out of the curve. After you have safely driven through the curve, you can apply the accelerator and increase your speed. If you do this too early, however, you will risk skidding.
6
Drivers need to understand that when a vehicle skids, it is moving on its own, not because of the application of the accelerator. When a car is skidding, the accelerator, brakes, and steering wheel will not work as normal. Normal operational procedures are not likely to be successful.
7
Sometimes a vehicle will understeer, a type of skid that happens when the vehicle turns sharply and begins to slide on the slick sidewalls of the tires.
Understeering can be prevented by reducing the speed of your vehicle as you drive around curves.

If you do experience a skid while driving on a curvy road, there are several strategies you can use to help regain control of your car:

1
Immediately take your foot off the brake and gas pedals. Neither will help stop the skid and could in fact make it worse. Keep both hands loosely positioned on the steering wheel. Do not make any sudden steering motions. This may cause you to overcorrect.
2
After the vehicle has had a couple of seconds to slow down, lightly apply the brake as you begin to steer the vehicle in the direction you want to travel. Here’s a smart piece of advice how to focus on your direction:
3
While recovering from a skid or understeer on a curvy road, do your best not to make any sudden movements. While skidding can be a frightening experience, it is important to remain calm and think clearly.
4
Many curvy roads are located on a steep incline, declines, ridgeways, or cliff areas. If this is the case when you experience a skid, you may have to take drastic measures to keep your vehicle from plunging off an embankment. Use common sense and weigh your options as much as possible as you try to regain control.

Curves can be killers. The main thing to remember when driving on curvy roads is that a small reduction in your speed will drastically reduce the probability of your vehicle skidding.

BEFORE DRIVING

Adjust your seat, apply the seat belt and adjust all mirrors. Make sure you know the location of all controls and can reach them easily.

BEFORE STARTING YOUR ENGINE

Make sure the parking brake is set and the transmission is in park.

VANS AND SUBURBANS

Warm the vehicle up no faster than 1000 rpm’s. Check all the gauges for operation (oil, voltage, temperature, etc.)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS

Know the gear pattern. Depress the brake, move the gear selector to the proper gear, release the parking brake. As the vehicle speed increases, the vehicle will automatically shift to a higher gear.

Allowing a vehicle to coast in neutral is against state law and it can also cause damage to the transmission!

STEERING AND TURNING

Make all maneuvers smooth and correctly. Always hold the steering wheel with a firm grip using both hands. Hand positions that are recommended are 10-2 and 9- 3.

MIRRORS

Get the “Big Picture” keep your eyes moving always looking ahead, left, right and to the rear. Check the mirrors every 8 to 10 seconds or more often in unique situation.

LANE USE AND POSITION ON THE ROADWAY

Center your vehicle in the proper lane. The shoulder of the road and parking lanes are only for stopping and parking if traveling in two or more lanes in the same direction. Stay in the far-right lane unless passing. Drive a safe distance behind other traffic – follow the Basic Speed Law!! If in doubt, always yield the right-of-way – NEVER take it!

42-4-1101. Speed limits

No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.

CHANGING LANES

Check the traffic approaching from the rear of your vehicle. Give advanced notice of your intention to change lanes by engaging the left turn signal. When clear, move to the passing lane. When passing is complete engage your turn signal to move back into the right lane. Cancel your turn signal. The lane changes should be smooth.

LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS

Check the traffic on all sides of your vehicle. Signal 100 feet prior to turning at lower speeds in a city or town areas. Signal 200 feet prior to turning at higher speeds of 40 mph or more.

BEFORE TURNS

Downshift and/or brake before entering the turn. Position your vehicle in the proper lane giving proper notice to surrounding traffic. Wait behind stop lines, signs, crosswalks and sidewalks. When it is clear make the turn in one complete maneuver.

TURNING AROUND AND BACKING MANEUVERS

Signal well in advance by tapping your brakes, engaging turn signals, etc. Engage hazard warning light, tap your horn, check all mirrors for traffic and obstacles (look over your shoulder to clear blind spots), let traffic pass before backing up. Use caution – back slowly. NO U-TURNS on highways or interstates (if you miss an exit, go to the next exit, do not use the lanes provided for emergency vehicles between the medians).

CURVES

When approaching a curve, check the traffic in all directions. Before entering the curve reduce your speed and brake if necessary. Keep your vehicle in your lane of travel and continue to check traffic in all directions.

EXPRESSWAYS

Before entering an expressway, check all traffic, use proper turn signals and merge smoothly into the proper lane. Remember the traffic already on the expressway has the right-of-way, you must yield to them. Once you are on the expressway maintain the proper lane, spacing and speed. Check your mirrors constantly and monitor traffic in front of, beside and behind you. When exiting the expressway, check all traffic, use proper turn signals. Do not decelerate until you have entered the exit lane.

INTERSECTIONS

Observe traffic at least three times before approaching an intersection, especially monitor any fast-approaching traffic. Turn signals still engaged by other driver, traffic not stopping for stop signs or traffic signals should be watched carefully.

STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS

ALWAYS yield the right-of-way! Stop behind stop lines, signs, crosswalks and when it is clear then pull forward and stop a second time. Re-check the intersection then proceed when it is clear. Check your mirrors and cover the brake so if needed you can stop.

42-4-802

Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians when a pedestrian is entering the roadway within a crosswalk without dedicated traffic signals. Drivers can enter the crosswalk to continue driving if the pedestrian is on the other side of the crosswalk, but not if they are so close that they would feel endangered by the vehicle’s passing.

PASSING

Check traffic signs and road marking to determine if passing is permitted. Check oncoming traffic, beside and behind your vehicle that may also be preparing to pass. Engage your turn signal, and when clear move into the passing lane. When there is ample room between your vehicle and the vehicle you just passed, engage your turn signal and move back to the right lane 1 to 1 ½ vehicle lengths ahead of the vehicle you just passed. Cancel your turn signal.

STOPPING

Vehicle weight and road conditions have a serious effect in the distance you will need to stop your vehicle. If possible, check your brake capabilities. Apply the brakes smoothly and ease off the pedal just prior to achieving a complete stop. When traveling behind the other vehicles make sure you allow ample distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. You need to be able to see their back tires touching the ground.

PARKING

Always leave yourself plenty of room to move out of a parking area. Turn the wheels toward the curb, shift into park and set the parking brake.

REAR OVERHAND AND TAIL SWING

Unlike a passenger car, buses have additional room behind the rear wheels to the outside of the bumper. This additional length requires closer observation when making turns as the tail swing can extend three to five feet over the curb. It is especially important when backing into a parking space. You must stop so the overhang is not going to hit anything. Do not wait until the rear tires hit the curb because at the point it may be too late and you have hit a tree or pole next to the curb.

DISTANCE

Always drive a safe distance behind other traffic. Remember you are responsible to follow at a distance that will permit you to stop without striking the vehicle in front of you. Add ten seconds to your following distance in adverse weather conditions.

STARTING OUT ON AN UPGRADE

Check the traffic in all directions, accelerate slightly so you do not roll backward and allow extra room between you and the vehicle located in front of you.

STARTING OUT ON A DOWGRADE

Check the traffic in all directions, release the accelerator and select a safe speed. Downshift to reduce speed. Braking is used if additional slowing is needed prior to descending.