Corners & Bends
Corners
and bends are hazards that are encountered on most journeys and must be
negotiated safely. The System of Car Control is applied to these road
features, but the way it is applied depends to some extent on road speed.
Bends
- National Speed Limit Zones
The
approach speed is generally high and consequently good forward observation
alerts you to the bend in good time (Information). Consider a single
carriageway road. As you approach a right hand bend position yourself
towards the left hand side of your lane so that you can improve your view
of the road ahead. However, only do so if there are no nearside hazards
such as pedestrians, cyclists or roadside debris. For left hand bends
position yourself towards the right hand side
of your lane but without driving on the white centre line. However,
be prepared to move back to a central position if there is oncoming
traffic or if you could mislead following traffic, or other road users, of
your intentions. If necessary, reduce
your speed on the approach, by deceleration or by braking if a
substantial reduction in speed is required. Whatever method is used, use
your mirrors (information) before reducing speed and ensure the speed
reduction is smooth. When you have the correct speed for the bend then, if
necessary, select a lower gear for that speed.
You
are now in the correct position, travelling at the correct speed and in
the correct gear. You should be driving at a constant speed towards the
bend. A good rule of thumb is that, after the gear change, there should be
at least 2 seconds
between
your hand returning to the steering wheel and your turning of the steering
wheel to steer through the bend. If you are on a left hand bend with no
pavement, then sound your horn to alert pedestrians to your presence (give
information). As you drive through the bend you will need to increase the
pressure on the accelerator pedal slightly to overcome the natural
tendency of your vehicle to slow down on the bend. In effect, you are
accelerating slightly through the bend but your road speed remains the
same throughout (called driving at constant speed). This will ensure an
equal weight distribution on all four tyres - increasing vehicle
stability. When you reach the central point of the bend (the apex), the
view of the road ahead will quickly improve. As you start to straighten
the steering you can begin to increase road speed and accelerate away from
the bend - provided there are no further hazards or speed restrictions. Check your mirrors before increasing speed (information).
Bends
- 30mph Zones and Less
The
'System' as outlined above is applied with the following additional
points. At these 'low' speeds there is generally no advantage in
positioning to improve observation. There will be an increased likelihood
of road users nearby so that changing position on the approach to a bend
is more likely to mislead. Assuming a single carriageway road, adopt and
maintain a central position in your lane on the approach and through the
bend. However, be prepared to change position for safety - for example, to
give more clearance between you and oncoming traffic or
between you and vehicles parked on the bend. If lane widths are
relatively wide, avoid any temptation to shorten right hand bends
(cutting) which could put you into conflict with oncoming traffic.
Bends
- Between 30mph and National Speed Limit
The
System is applied but the procedure for positioning will depend on the
situation. Generally, as road speed increases then more advantage can be
gained by positioning to improve observation.
Corners
- All Speed Limit Zones
Corners
are generally right angled and occur at junctions. Right hand turns at
corners tend to be from a minor road to a major road and consequently they
will be negotiated from a rolling or a standing start from a give way or
stop line. Left hand turns at corners tend to be from a major road to a
minor road so that the initial speed of approach can be anything up to
70mph. Whatever the initial speed of approach, most left hand corners will
require approximately the same speed to be negotiated safely. The corner
is observed at the earliest opportunity (information). Other road users
needing to know your intentions are alerted by your left hand signal, and
perhaps a slight change of position towards the left hand side of your
lane (give information and position). Check you mirrors and
then reduce your speed (probably by braking) until you have
acquired the safe speed for the corner. Once you have the correct speed,
remove your foot from the brake and select a lower gear (probably 2nd
gear), if required. If you are going downhill into a corner, it is
acceptable to change gear with the brakes applied - provided that most of
your braking has been done before the gear change. As you enter the new
road watch out for pedestrians walking across your path and for speed
limit signs. As you start to straighten the steering you can begin to
increase road speed and accelerate away from the corner - provided there
are no further hazards or speed restrictions. Check your mirrors before
increasing speed (information).
The
limit point of observation
As you approach a bend you will see the road disappearing to the left or right. At the point where the road disappears, pick out one feature on each side of the road - as seen from your vantagepoint. As you get nearer to the bend, these two features will appear to get wider apart. The slower they separate, the tighter the bend. The faster they separate, the more open is the bend.
Disclaimer:
Driving is never a black and white
activity, but full of grey areas, therefore neither I nor my fellow
Observers in the St Helens Group of Advanced Motorists are liable
for any consequences you may experience as a result of reading our advice. You are the driver. You
should be in control of your vehicle at all times.