Advanced Driving Advice: Cornering
February 28th, 2010
When the weather is warm and the sun shining, there is no better feeling than going for a pleasant drive in the countryside. The fresh air and scenery certainly beat the normal daily commute and if you are keen driver you can enjoy the performance of your car within the legal limits on relatively uncongested roads.
UK roads in the country are tight, so when a curve comes up there is a phenomenon called the tightening radius bend. This condition is a danger for drivers, and is a leading cause of accidents. When you go around a corner the radius is the same as when you began to turn, so you don’t have to adjust the wheel. On a curve in the country the bends are different, which means you have to adjust the wheel the further you go.
An example of the usual car accident on a curve is when the driver enters the bend at a speed they feel is correct. This speed may be determined by the conditions and the type of curve; however, the bend can tighten further into it, which means the speed is no longer appropriate.
The driver may attempt to correct for the speed by applying more pressure to the steering, tightening it up, but the speed is normally too high and the car begins to under- steer. The driver may try to fight this phenomenon by using the brakes, but this can cause the vehicle to hit an oncoming car or go into the ditch.
The countryside offers another challenge to drivers, especially in the summer. Since the bends can be quite tight it can be difficult to see the changes in the road. In the summer hedges, bushes, or trees can also obscure the curve. A driver can easily be caught by a sudden corner.
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.
As soon as the bend ends you are able to speed up your vehicle until the next curve. When driving in the country you need to remember there are other dangers for drivers, such as slow moving tractors, livestock, or slippery mud. Always think “what if” to determine the correct speed for a curve.
If you want to make good progress when driving on country roads at night you are going to need very good auto bulbs to cut through the darkness. Upgrade headlight bulbs like the Osram Night Breaker will improve the light output from your headlights and are completely road legal.
