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F.37
Precautions in
bad weather
Driving is an outdoor activity. Not becoming aware and taking the right precautions
in bad weather is a major cause of serious traffic accidents.
An experienced motorist is constantly monitoring the prevailing conditions and
knows how to keep safe: Let examine each adverse driving environment:
| 1.
Rain:
Photo:
howstuffworks.com |
Excessive
speed is again the main
factor
for crashes in the wet. The most vulnerable period is during the first
few moments of rain, after a long, dry spell. Dust and oil residue mixes with water to
create a very slippery surface. Avoid heavy braking and accelerate only gently.
Drive with extra cautious around corners and bends.
Aquaplaning occurs when driving at high
speed through
a pool of water. If the grooves in the tyres are not deep enough ( or bald)
they may not cope with the volume of water, that needs to move from
the front of the tyre to the rear. (At 100 km/h 5 litres of water have to be
shifted per second). At excessive speed (or on bald tyres) the vehicle literally floats over the surface of the
water. The driver loses steering and braking power. The remedy is to
come off the accelerator
immediately. (Braking will not fix the problem). The tyres should make
contact again with the
road, otherwise gentle braking may be in order.
|
| 2.
Strong winds:
|
At high speed, in
strong crosswinds, there is a real risk of being pushed into oncoming traffic or off the road.
Careless drivers often lose their caravan, when driving too fast while towing.
A truck or semi-trailer, driving in the opposite direction, especially on
narrow roads, creates strong wind gusts. Reduce speed and
keep a firm hold on the steering
wheel, to avoid losing steering control. |
| 3.
Sun glare:
As
with night driving a bright, low sun on the windscreen will show up any
dirt. Keep the windscreen spotlessly clean! A dirty
windscreen reduces visibility. Horror crashes happen, when the sun blocks a
driver's vision at the wrong moment! Be prepared, be
aware!
If you lose vision,
lower the sun- visor. Don't become distracted doing so,
especially if a spider falls onto your lap. (If this
happens stop the vehicle immediately - see Chapter 26).
Never look directly into the sun. |
The outline of the warning sign
and advisory speed is barely visible against the setting sun. Reduce speed, because
you can’t read the advisory speed sign or assess the shape of the bend
ahead!
|
| 4.
Frost, Ice:
On cold, frosty
mornings or at night beware of ice building up on bridges and culverts. The same rules apply
as does on a wet road surface: Accelerate
carefully, brake early
and with caution, drive through corners very gently. On a very
slippery surface, especially when descending a steep hill, use a lower gear, even in an
automatic vehicle, as to avoid skidding under heavy braking.
|
Photo:
ehow.com
Ensure to
clear all snow and ice from the vehicle. Drive slowly,
brake and accelerate gently, drive with lights on. |
Misjudging
floodwaters can lead to nasty surprises: Watch this short clip:
|
