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.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You
can avoid these problems by braking
-
if
you can
stop
in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room.
That’s the time for evasive action
-
steering around the
problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well
in
emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes
-
but, unless you
have anti-lock, not enough
to
lock your wheels.
See
Braking
on
page
4-7.
It is better
to
remove as much
speed as you can from
a
possible collision. Then
steer around the problem,
to
the left or right depending
on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended
9
and
3
o’clock positions, you
can turn
it
a full
180
degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to
act fast, steer
quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel
once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason
to
practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
4-1
1
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