Road Safety Fundamentals

The lower the vehicle's center of gravity, the more stable the car is. For example – electric vehicles, since their heavy battery is at the bottom of the car.

A heavy goods vehicle that is unloaded will not tip over as quickly.

A tank truck that is fully filled is more stable than one filled halfway.

A slope is a dangerous place to drive, so it is recommended to do so slowly and not to make sudden movements with the steering wheel or brake sharply.

A vehicle is acted upon by inertial force (for example, when starting to drive, turning at a bend, or braking).

A car is acted upon by centrifugal force. It is greater when the car's driving speed is higher and when driving through a bend – the smaller the radius of the bend, the greater the force.

On a slippery road, a car may start to slide sideways. The cause may be sudden braking or speed increase.

The grip of the wheels with the road surface decreases as tire tread wears down.

If you brake sharply, the rear wheels will lock up (skid) faster than the front wheels.

If the rear axle of a car with rear-wheel drive starts sliding sideways in a bend, you need to release the accelerator pedal and turn the steering wheel toward the slide to stabilize the car and stop sliding.

If the rear axle of a car with front-wheel drive starts sliding sideways in a bend, you need to press the accelerator pedal and correct the car's direction of movement by turning the steering wheel.

Stop braking the car if, during braking, it starts to slide sideways.

A car is more stable in a bend if driving with the gear engaged.

If, while driving a car, the right wheels go onto an unstable shoulder surface, it is recommended to steer the car back onto the firm carriageway without braking.

When driving on a slippery road and exiting from an enclosed road section (e.g., the end of a forest) into an open one, beware of strong crosswinds, which may be dangerous.

If, after driving through a body of water, the brake pads have been submerged, it is recommended to drive at low speed and press the brake pedal several times so that the brake pads dry out.

Aquaplaning – a wedge of water between the tire tread and the road surface. Its size depends on driving speed, rain intensity, the condition of the tire tread, and the surface and structure of the road.

If you unexpectedly enter an icy straight road section, do not change speed or direction. If necessary, you may slightly release the accelerator.

If driving through deep snow, mud, or soil, it is recommended not to stop, not to make sharp turns and not to change gear – drive in a lower gear.

If you are carrying cargo on top of the car (e.g., a roof-mounted luggage carrier), sudden turning of the steering wheel or braking may be dangerous, because the car's center of gravity is higher, making it easier to overturn.

Cobblestone road surface is the most slippery.

When driving a car whose tires are insufficiently inflated (pressure lower than recommended), the car's fuel consumption is greater, and stability is lower.

The road surface becomes very slippery when it begins to rain.

Reduce speed at a bend – this will reduce centrifugal force.

When turning at a bend, the driver must ensure that the rear wheels of the moving car or the trailer, which travel at a smaller radius than the front, do not run onto an obstacle or into another lane.

If the road bend is sharper than you expected, reduce speed.

Stopping distance – the distance the car travels from the moment the driver noticed the obstacle until it comes to a complete stop.

Braking distance – the distance the car travels from the moment the driver presses the brake pedal until it comes to a complete stop.

Reaction time – the distance the car travels from the moment the driver noticed the obstacle until the moment they started braking.

The greater the speed, the longer the braking distance (a squared relationship): that is, if you double the speed, the braking distance will increase fourfold.

The braking distance depends on driving speed, the construction of the brake transmission, the number of braking wheels, and the force of pressing the brake pedal.

Following distance – the distance between cars traveling one behind another.

Keep as large a distance as possible when driving behind a large vehicle so that you can see a longer stretch of road ahead.

The braking distance may increase during braking if the braking wheels become locked.

If you brake using the engine and do not lock the wheels when driving on a slippery road, the car's stability will be better.

If you brake sharply, unsecured items in the car and passengers will move forward.

If you brake sharply in heavy traffic, the car driving behind you may collide with you.

If the working brake fails while driving, you need to brake by engaging a lower gear and brake with the parking (handbrake). If possible, use an obstacle to help stop.

When driving downhill and braking for a long time with the gear disengaged, the brakes may overheat and fail.

If the car's tires are unevenly worn, it is dangerous to brake the car sharply, because it may become uncontrollable, slide off the road and overturn.

If you brake the car using the engine, the steeper the downhill, the lower the gear you should choose.

Driver's reaction time – the time interval from the moment the driver noticed an obstacle until they took specific action.

An intoxicated driver's reaction time is longer.

A tired and sick driver's attention is not as good and reaction time is longer.

The driver's field of vision is narrower when the car's speed is higher.

It is advisable not to drive a car when emotionally agitated, as this has a very significant impact on your own safety and traffic safety.

If you start to feel sleepy while driving, you must stop and rest.

Cars painted in dark colors (e.g., black, blue) approaching from the front create the illusion that they are moving more slowly than they actually are.

A large vehicle approaching from the front creates the illusion that it is moving faster than it actually is.

If you are approaching an intersection of equal-status roads, it is recommended to scan it from left to right.

In built-up areas, when driving past a public transport stop, you must be attentive, because pedestrians may run onto the road from behind the public transport vehicle.

It is recommended to return to the right lane after overtaking another car when you see the overtaken vehicle through the side mirror.

While waiting for the permitting traffic light signal, hold the car in place with the parking brake engaged.

It is dangerous to leave a car with a diesel engine on a downhill with the gear engaged, because the engine may start by itself.

In fog, the distance to an oncoming vehicle appears greater than it actually is.

Long and frequent acceleration of the vehicle in first gear increases fuel consumption.

The higher the gear, the lower the fuel consumption.

The lowest fuel consumption will be achieved by accelerating smoothly and braking smoothly.

Many factors affect driving economy – speed, the car's aerodynamics, road conditions, driving style, luggage weight, and so on.

When driving uphill, it is recommended to switch high beam headlights to low beam during the dark hours of the day when approaching the top of the hill.