Steep Roads? Don’t Panic and Follow These Important Tips!
6 July, 2023
When driving a car, one of the concerns for both passengers and drivers is the risk of accidents, especially on steep roads. Steep roads are characterized by their sharp inclines or winding paths, demanding extra caution from drivers. These types of roads are commonly found in mountainous regions and can either be steep downhill slopes or steep uphill climbs.
Steep roads often induce panic in drivers, making it difficult for them to control the speed of their vehicles. However, drivers need not panic, as there are several methods and tips to prevent accidents or hazards while driving on steep roads. Here are some crucial tips to keep in mind:
1. Ensure Your Car Is in Optimal Condition Before Setting Out
First and foremost, before hitting the road, make sure that your car is in optimal condition and free from any issues. Conduct a thorough check at the workshop to confirm that your vehicle is healthy and well-maintained. Examine various components such as brakes, lights, transmission, tires, and wipers to ensure they are free from damage.
Furthermore, ensure that vehicles destined for steep roads are regularly serviced to prevent engine-related problems. Pay attention to factors such as car oil, coolant, fuel, or energy sources. If using a gasoline-powered car, make sure to refuel before setting out. In the case of an electric car, ensure it is fully charged.
2. Avoid Continuous Braking
While descending steep slopes, drivers often tend to brake continuously to prevent the car from descending too quickly. However, this practice is not advisable. Constant braking generates excessive heat energy, which can adversely affect the car’s engine.
Therefore, opt for quick-tap braking. This involves briefly tapping the brake pedal only when necessary and releasing it intermittently. Quick-tap braking allows the car time to “cool off” before engaging the brakes again. By adopting this method, you can prevent excessive heat buildup in the car’s engine.
3. Obey the Traffic Signs
Another key tip for safe driving on steep roads is to always pay attention to traffic signs along the route. Typically, extreme or steep roads have corresponding traffic signs, such as signs indicating steep inclines or declines, as well as sharp turns to the right or left. Ensure you observe and obey all traffic signs to drive safely and securely.
If the steep road you’re navigating lacks proper traffic signs or the existing signs are damaged, reduce your vehicle’s speed immediately and drive cautiously. Excessive speeding on an extreme road with insufficient traffic signs poses a high risk of accidents, particularly at night or in adverse weather conditions. If necessary, consider pulling over temporarily at a suitable location and waiting for better weather conditions.
4. Brake Before Reaching Turns or Declines
Steep roads generally feature numerous curves, declines, and inclines. When approaching curves or declines, gently tap the brake just before the vehicle reaches the turning or declining point. It’s advisable not to brake when the car is too close to the turning point or has already reached it. Delayed braking can result in the car accelerating too fast through the curve or declining, leading to a loss of balance.
Applying brakes slightly before approaching curves or declines ensures that you, as the driver, are better prepared and can anticipate the upcoming turn or decline. This approach also reduces the risk of skidding when navigating curves and declines. Additionally, braking earlier alerts drivers behind you.
5. Pay Attention to Traffic Flow
In addition to traffic signs, drivers should monitor the flow of traffic on the road. Traffic flow refers to the density of vehicles on the road as you drive through it. Adjust your car’s pace according to the prevailing traffic flow.
For instance, if the road ahead appears congested and slow-moving, gradually reduce your speed to ensure that you and the cars behind you have sufficient time to brake and avoid collisions. Conversely, when traffic is moving smoothly, avoid driving too slowly to prevent obstructing vehicles behind you.
6. Avoid Overtaking Other Vehicles
When driving on steep roads, refrain from overtaking or passing other vehicles. Attempting to overtake on steep roads is not only dangerous for you but also for the surrounding vehicles. Overtaking on steep roads is particularly risky due to limited visibility.
Furthermore, steep roads—whether they have sharp turns, declines, or inclines—typically feature “no overtaking” traffic signs and unbroken road markings. This signifies that overtaking is prohibited on such roads. If you decide to overtake a vehicle ahead, you’re violating traffic regulations and could face penalties.
7. Keep the Engine Running
The final tip for safe driving on steep roads is to keep the engine running while driving. Turning off the engine while driving on steep roads is strictly prohibited, as it can endanger both the driver and passengers. This practice also jeopardizes other drivers and passengers on the road.
If the engine is turned off, the brakes won’t function, leading to an inability to control the vehicle’s speed. If the car continues to move rapidly without braking, the risk of colliding with other vehicles becomes unavoidable. Therefore, refrain from turning off the engine while navigating steep roads.
In addition to following the aforementioned essential tips, it’s advisable to use vehicles specifically designed for handling steep roads, such as the futuristic Wuling Air EV electric car. This vehicle not only excels at sharp turns but also conquers steep uphill climbs and downhill descents, as well as bumpy roads with minimal vibrations. Equipped with a responsive driving system and torque reaching 110 Nm, along with an aer odynamic design and power management technology for optimized uphill performance, Air EV ensures safe and comfortable driving on steep roads.
With Wuling Air EV, you can experience #ThisIsMyEVWay while embarking on journeys to challenging destinations surrounded by the beauty of nature. Enjoy the splendor of Indonesia’s landscapes without worrying about steep roads with Wuling Air EV!
