HIGH ROAD & BY-ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18004, 26 April 1930, Page 23 (Supplement)

HIGH ROAD & BY-ROAD.

SKIDDING. . A WET-WEATHER DANGER. REDUCING THE RISK. Slower driving must be the rule on straight, level roads that are slippery, and the speed must be still further reduced when approaching curves and' down-grades. Care must also be taken to avoid the necessity for quick stops. With the approach of the rainy season inexperienced drivers —and experienced ones too, for that matter — should be on their guard against the skidding evil (advises a writer in The Open Road). Ample clearance should be maintained between cars travelling in the same direction, intersections should be approached at reduced speed, and greater heed should be given to ped'estrians. Pedestrians should themselves be constantly on guard in traffic, and should remember that oil many occasions they can stop and turn back when motorists, 'no matter how careful or skilful they may be, will be unable to avoid striking them. Every driver should know that the tendency to skid is likely to he increased by applying the brakes suddenly or so forcefully that the wheels become locked (that is, held so that they cannot revolve), and also that more time and distance is required to bring a car to a stop when the wheels slide along the pavement than when the braking action slops just short of locking the wheels. If the wheels become locked—the driver can usually “sense” this when it occurs—the brakes should be released momentarily, and re-applied immediately, this process being repeated if necessary. Always remember that keeping the wheels turning is one of the most important requirements for preventing skidding and sliding when trying to stop a car. Skidfling often occurs when driving with all possible caution. This happens most frequently on “crowned” roads—roads that slope from the centre downward towards either side — but it Is also present on straight stretches. When a skid occurs under these conditions, the immediate and Instinctive reaction of an inexperienced driver is Lo throw out the clutch and apply the brakes. This procedure is usually ineffective, however, and it may increase the skidding action. Remember that it is of the utmost importance to keep Lho wheels revolving. The usual method of overcoming the skidding action in a case of this kind consists in leaving the clutch engaged, applying the brakes gently (if they aro used at all), and turning the front wheels momentarily to the right If the rear wheels are sliding In that direction, or to the left If they are slipping to the left, Steering in this way helps' to keep the oar parallel with the normal direction of travel, and tends to move tho rear wheels ■away from the danger region at the sldo of the road. Sometimes, however, It is not practicable to proceed in just that way. The car may already be dangerously close to the side of the road toward which It is skidding, and a deep ditch or other serious hazard may be perilously near. It is impossible t.o give general advice for coping with an emergency of that kind, because the correct procedure will depend largely upon the exact nature of the conditions. It may perhaps be advisable to throttle down the engine, leaving the clutch engaged, and at the same time steering towards the oentre of the road. This will probably increase the skidding action momentarily, but it will presently (if the plan works out successfully) bring tho front wheels farther away from the side of the road. The momentum of the oar may then suffloe to oarry it up toward the road crown. A slip, or loss of traction, on a greasy road must not be confused with a skid. In the one case an application of the brakes will often enable the wheels to grip; in the other brakes ■must not be used.