Keeping Yourself Safe on Poor Roads
Anyone who travels knows our country’s roads are constantly under construction, and some roads we drive on every day are better than others. Driving on bad or poorly maintained roads can be very dangerous, and it often takes a higher level of awareness and caution in order for us to stay safe. Since not every road we drive on is paved to perfection, it’s good to know what to do on other less-than-perfect roads. Not sure what to do on these more dangerous roads? Here are some tips to keep you and your passengers safe.
Curved or Narrow Roads
Depending on what geographical area you live in, it is possible to have to travel on narrow roads or very curvy ones with blind turns. The best course of action to properly and safely navigate these types of roads is to take it slow, obey the speed limit, and take note of the changes in speed limit allowances around the curves. Always approach a blind curve with caution – slow down, stick to the right side edge of the road as closely as possible and be on alert for vehicles coming the other way—you never know who won’t be paying attention or coming over the line.
Unpaved Roads
Unpaved roads are also common in many areas of the country, and driving on these roads pose a unique challenge for drivers. Driving on gravel or unpaved roads can lead to vehicles slipping or skidding, which ultimately leads to drivers losing control of the vehicle. Additionally, driving on gravel roads often kicks up a large amount of dirt, dust, and even rocks and debris, which can greatly reduce visibility as well as cause damage to the body of the car or the windshield.
Remember to make sure to reduce your speed when driving on unpaved or gravel roads to prevent the vehicle from slipping or skidding. Should the vehicle begin to skid, however, it’s important to make sure to use the breaks gently and slowly work your way through the gears. Also, it’s important to note that stopping on gravel roads can often take longer than stopping on paved roads, so it’s crucial to make sure to leave additional distance between the vehicle and the stop in order to avoid collisions and also help cut down on the amount of dust and rocks that kick up from driving on the road.
Looking for Behind the Wheel Training? Training Wheels is an Egg Harbor Township driving school specializing in teaching new teen drivers how to stay safe on the road. For more information on our lessons, please click here.
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