IT MAKES SENSE TO  STEER GENTLY

All drivers should have the chance to learn skid control, trying out three special surfaces, a normal dry road, a wet road, and a resin coated surface to imagine a crushed snow or wet leaves, its just like driving on sheet ice. On this highly polished surface the car will zig zag back and forth, feeling the tyres moving around, at this stage we must learn to read the signs.

Yes the tyres make different noises when they start to slip, it is not unusual  winter time to turn out of a t- junction and try to accelerate ,and finding the road to be more slippery than first thought, this is where we must practice to catch the slide, by coming back off the accelerator.

At this point a common fault has developed yes over- correction yes on a rear wheel drive car. It is so easy to turn the wheel too much when correcting over-steer and end up with the car swinging one way then the other.

Around 60% of all fatal accidents are caused after a vehicle has begun to skid. it is important drivers get practice as many drivers think there is no point to regain control and wait for the car to hit something.

A DRIVING SKILL HINT

UNDERSTEER… 

This is where the front tyres lose traction and the car pushes wide in a bend, the more you turn the wheel the less the tyres grip and the car refuses to  turn.

What to do? Yes a lifesaver, simply come off the accelerator and briefly straighten the front wheels, as the car slows down the wheels should regain grip helping you to steer back on course, you may need to brake gently to help tyre grip before you can turn the corner.

OVERSTEER…

 This is when the back of the car swings wide and your natural reaction is to come suddenly off the accelerator, by doing this, it makes things worse, the back will swing even wider and you could end up spinning.

What to do? Yes a lifesaver, the trick is to STEER GENTLY into the skid.  This is where (for example ) the rear wheels slide to the left, causing the front of the car to point too far to the right, so at this point you must turn the wheels to the left, and at the same time gently back off the accelerator.

For peace of mind Over-steer is more rare than Under-steer within road cars because manufacturers build cars with under-steer because its easier to control…

So Drive Safe STEER GENTLY and Stay Safe

This has been a short insight to understand steering, resulting in skidding, this coming year we will be offering Skid Control Workshops, keep watching this Blog for further details…

I know the hint talks about winter and it seems such along way a way, but even our very dry roads being hit by heavy rain will give the same effect…

SKID CONTROL IS NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS!

 Just a thought…

 A SPEED CAMERA VAN IS NOT A HAZARD … BUT IT COULD BECOME ONE IF YOU DON’T SEE IT