Safer Driving, blind bends

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Safer Driving

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Blind Bends

Blind bends are very hazardous and should be treated as such. There is method and procedure to driving safely round a blind bend.

• As you approach the bend position you car for the best view of the road ahead. If the road bends to the left then pull closer to the center of the road but do not cross the white lines. If the bend is to the right then keep to the left until you can see through the corner.
• Lower your speed and keep it smooth. The best way to help the tyres keep their grip of the road surface is not to suddenly change your speed, especially in the middle of a corner. Drop a gear if you need to , this will slow the car down as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator so you will not necessarily need to brake which is not recommended during the turning of a vehicle. If you brake hard whilst going round a corner then the tyres can break traction and the car will then immediately try to skid in a straight line rather than continuing to turn the corner.
• Keeping the accelerator at a constant during the manouvre will keep the car stable and using the right driving line through the bend will help to keep the car where you want it.
• If you can imagine the path of your car through a bend try to make that path as constant as possible without sudden twists or turns. A long curve is much better than a straight followed by a sudden turn and then straight again. If the sudden turn is too much for the tyres to hold then the car could leave the road or skid into the path of an oncoming car.