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TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY. Driving safely means adjusting to road and traffic conditions. When you can’t control the conditions, you must control your vehicle. Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow or sleet. SNOW & ICE. REMEMBER on corners or bends - you will skid more easily
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TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY Driving safely means adjusting to road and traffic conditions. When you can’t control the conditions, you must control your vehicle.
Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow or sleet. SNOW & ICE • REMEMBER • on corners or bends - you will skid more easily • brake progressively on the straight part so that your vehicle is slow enough to take the bend safely • steer gently round the corner - avoid sudden movements • find a safe place on the straight to gently test your brakes • if the steering is unresponsive then you are probably on ice How slow? At least 10 mph for rain About half normal speed on packed snow Slow to a crawl on ice - this is the most dangerous surface and sudden actions will quickly make you skid • ice or snow? • tyres on ice make virtually no noise • tyres on snow make a crunchy or slushy sound
SAND, GRAVEL, DIRT TRACKS • slow your vehicle • stay back from other vehicles - beware of • dust clouds that hide what is in front and at the side of you • stones flying from other vehicle’s tyres • give yourself extra space and time for overtaking • accelerate and brake gently You do not have as much grip on sand, gravel or dirt as you do on asphalt (black top) roads • if you lose control and leave the road … • brake gently to slow the vehicle gradually • do not try to steer back onto the road - this may cause you to flip over - keep in a straight line if you can • allow the vehicle to come to a complete stop before attempting to rejoin the road • beware of ruts that will take control of your tyres
WATER • stay back so that you can • see and plan ahead • avoid spray from other vehicles • stop in time If you have driven through deep water - find a safe place to check your brakes. Gently applying pressure for a while will help dry out brakes that are wet. Hydroplaning … when your tyres lose contact with the road • most tyres have good traction up to about 35 mph • when you go faster, your tyres ride up in the water (like waterski-ing) • in heavy rain your tyres may lose contact with the road at 50mph • worn tyres will lose traction at much slower speeds Your vehicle can take as much as twice as long to stop on a wet road as compared to a dry road Recover from hydroplaning … • ease your foot off the gas pedal … you will feel the tyres gripping again • keep the steering wheel straight … only try to turn if it’s an emergency • if you must turn, do it SLOWLY or you will SKID • do not try to stop or turn until your tyres are gripping to road again
in all bad weather conditions stay well back from all other vehicles - if someone cuts into the space, fall back to keep a safe distance keep your windscreen clear think twice before overtaking - you don’t know what the conditions ahead are put your headlights on dipped do not put on your hazard lights unless you are in an accident make sure your tyres are in good condition and at the correct pressure make sure someone knows your route and when you expect to arrive - and what to do if you miss your deadline
if in doubt … don’t go out
