the driver's handbook

32
R O A d S A f E t y
Running off the road
A common cause of country crashes is running off the bitumen
road surface to the left, and then over-correcting by steering to the
right and/or braking too hard. If the left wheels of a vehicle leave
the bitumen:
• ease off the accelerator and do not brake harshly
• hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, and
• ease the wheels back on to the bitumen surface, being careful
of the raised step between the soft edge of the road and the
bitumen surface, because this can cause the steering wheel to
be wrenched out of your hand.
Modern cars are fitted with safety technologies such as
electronic stability control (ESC), which can significantly prevent
crashes involving running off the road and/or skidding. ESC
helps drivers maintain control over their vehicle, particularly
in emergency situations and on wet, icy or unsealed roads. It
detects instability and oversteering and stabilises the vehicle by
automatically applying brakes to individual wheels. Vehicles fitted
with ESC can reduce rollover and left road crashes by up to 90%.
Gravel and other loose surfaces
Driving on gravel roads or other roads with loose or shifting
surfaces requires much care and attention. Driving on these roads
is more hazardous than driving on bitumen roads. As control of the
vehicle and braking are more difficult, drivers should slow down to
maintain safe control.
The Driver’s Handbook
When driving on a gravel road, which has half of the tyre grip
or friction of a bitumen road, a driver will need double the
distance when braking to a stop as compared to the braking
distance normally required on bitumen.
Similarly, when driving around a bend on a gravel or
unsealed road, loss of control of the vehicle (skidding) will
occur at a much lower speed, compared to the control you
would have when driving around a similar bend on a
bitumen road.
Overtaking other vehicles
Before attempting to overtake on a country road, ask
yourself whether it is really necessary as you may not be
saving much in travel time. Always check your mirrors
and over your right shoulder for vehicles behind you,
before signalling and then overtaking, but hold back if you
cannot clearly see if there is enough space ahead. Marked
overtaking lanes on country highways provide safe ways to
overtake. When using these lanes, you must always drive in
the left lane unless you are overtaking.
When overtaking, turn your headlights on so other drivers
can see your vehicle. In fact, if your vehicle is not fitted with
daytime running lights (which turn on automatically) turning
your headlights on when driving on country roads can
increase your safety.
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