Loss
of
Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area
of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid,
a
driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your Geo’s three
control systems.
In
the braking skid, your wheels aren’t
rolling.
In
the steering or cornering skid, too much speed
or steering
in
a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle
to
go.
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you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction
is
reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on
the
road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on
a
surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues
--
such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to
make a “mirrored surface’’
--
and slow down when you
have any doubt.
If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember:
It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti-lock, then
in
a braking skid (where the wheels
are
no
longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes
to get
the
wheels rolling again. This restores steering
control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly.
As
long as
the
wheels are rolling,
you will have steering control.
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