If turning to avoid a hazard:
Answers
You should brake hard.
You should not brake as it may cause the wheels to lock.
You should turn very sharply.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: You should not brake as it may cause the wheels to lock.
When turning to avoid a hazard, it’s important to maintain control of your vehicle. Braking too hard can cause your wheels to lock, especially if you are turning sharply or at high speed, which could lead to a loss of traction and potentially cause a skid or even a crash. Here’s why:
- Maintaining Control: When you brake hard during a turn, you reduce the grip of the tires on the road surface, making it difficult for the tires to follow the curve of the road. This is because, in a turn, the tires need to maintain a certain amount of friction to steer the car safely. If you brake hard, the tires could lock up, and your vehicle will slide straight ahead rather than following the curve of the turn.
- Skidding and Loss of Traction: When the wheels lock, the vehicle is no longer able to respond to steering inputs properly. This could result in a skid, where the vehicle slides uncontrollably across the road. A loss of traction can be especially dangerous on wet or slippery roads, where the risk of skidding is higher.
- Proper Technique: The best practice when avoiding a hazard while turning is to gently brake before the turn if possible, to slow the vehicle down in a controlled manner. Once you’re in the turn, avoid braking. Instead, focus on steering smoothly to navigate the turn. If necessary, you can use engine braking by easing off the gas pedal to slow down without causing any instability.
- ABS Systems: In modern vehicles, Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) help prevent wheel lockup by automatically modulating brake pressure. However, even with ABS, it’s still important to avoid braking abruptly during a turn unless absolutely necessary. Instead, try to steer around the hazard and use your brakes only as needed, to avoid disrupting the vehicle’s balance.
In summary, when turning to avoid a hazard, the key is to remain smooth with your steering and avoid abrupt braking, which can reduce your control and increase the risk of an accident.