Getting out on the downhill (low) side
ot
a
vehicle stopped across an incline
is
dangerous.
If
the vehicle rolls over, you could
be crushed or killed. Always get out on the
uphill (high)
side
of
the vehicle and stay well
clear of the rollover path.
Driving in
Mud,
Sand,
Snow or
Ice
When you drive in mud, snow or sand, your wheels
won’t get good traction. You can’t accelerate as quickly,
turning is more difficult, and you’ll need longer braking
distances.
It’s best to use a low gear when you’re in mud
-
the
deeper the mud, the lower the gear. In really deep mud,
the idea
is
to keep your vehicle moving
so
you don’t
get stuck.
When you drive on sand, you”ll sense a change in
wheel traction. But
it
will depend upon how loosely
packed the sand is. On loosely packed sand (as
on beaches or sand dunes) your tires will tend to sink
into the sand. This has an effect
on
steering,
accelerating and braking. Drive at a reduced speed and
avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction.
On these surfaces, it’s very east to lose control. On
wet ice, for example, the traction is
so
poor that you will
have difficulty accelerating. And
if
you do get moving,
poor steering and difficult braking can cause you to slide
out
of
control.
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds or rivers can be
dangerous. Underwater springs, currents
under the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the
ice. Your vehicle could fall through the ice and
you and your passengers could drown. Drive
your vehicle on safe surfaces only.
4-25
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