Braking is usually done for safety reasons, it can be one of the most dangerous actions you ever take if not done with the correct amount of thought.This is why I felt this article following could help make the difference between safety and potential / actual danger.
The Rules of Braking comes from the Old Road Craft manual used by the Police, like many things in the past you had to learn them word perfect to pass an exam on the courses.
Unfortunately getting it right in an exam did not mean that you understood it for use in a practical way. Initially driving at speed these lists do not come to mind easily, with a fast changing picture around you particularly in a progressive mode.The only way you can learn their meaning is by repeating them at the relivent times and places many times over.
If you can practise resiteing the Rules of Braking at the relivent time while in the hot seat, you will feel much more comfortable at speed , particularly in the wet. They really are life savers.
Lets have a look at the RULES OF BRAKING
B---------- 1.Brake in plenty of time.
B---------- 2.Brake firmly only when travelling in a straight line.
A---------- 3.Vary the brake pressure according to the road surface and weather conditions. (refer to my article about Driving In the wet).
4.When descending a steep winding hill brake firmly on the straight stretches, ease off the pressure in the bends. Remember the advantage of taking a low gear at an early stage of descent.
The phrase ' that rules are made for breaking ' comes to mind particularly with reference to Number 4. which I do not think was written with a great deal of thought but with the best will in the world.
With 24 years of training the two highlighted phrases have regularly caused some confusion.
Dealing with the phrase ease off the pressure in the bends. Students interpretation would miss quote it thinking it said come off the brakes in the bends.
Oh yes, it made it very interesting on steep winding hills because the car would speed up in the bends with the weight of the car and four occupants, the situation would get more and more exciting. I had to come in with a word of advice, not always polite as you might imagine.
Then I would stop the car and get everyone out away from the pressure just felt, and explain the proper use of the correct phrase.
The second of the highlighted phrases in Rule 4 above Taking a low gear at an early stage of descent.
This always seemed to be a contradiction of the advice in Road Craft which indicates ' when approaching any hazard e.g. bends, junctions and roundabouts, is to take a gear for the reduction of speed you have achieved, when you know you are feeling safe, so that as you entered the hazard your hands are now back on the steering wheel.
Also in the case of the steep winding hill, it is much more comfortable to have taken the low gear and have your left foot off the clutch before going over the steep drop ahead, having the retardation of the engine controlling the vehicle.
If you go over the top and then think ' I might need a lower gear here'
it can make things interesting. As you go down a steep slope and decide to change down during the process, you will have to depress the clutch, the car would at that moment start to speed up. Free wheeling
The paragraph above could be dealt with if the driver had considerable experience, it would make sense to have better control of your vehicle prior to descending the steep hill, with your hands back on the steering wheel so that you can concentrate ' on braking firmly, on the straight stretches and only easing off the pressure in the bends'.
When you feel that the slope is not that steep you can change back up the gears to relax the engine. Nothing is lost by taking the gear prior to descent, and it is always better to take the safer controlled action until you see a need for change.
Try the above advice particularly when seeing a sign that tells you a steep hill down is just ahead. Do not try to work out how steep the hill is, just go by the lack of vision and how much you have lost. Get some speed off and take the appropriate controlling gear for that speed so that your hands are now able to be back on the steering wheel, with your left foot off the clutch, before you get to the steep drop.
This is the first of two articles on braking. This article gives you some well tried rules to go by, with my instructional thoughts attached. The second will deal with the same subject, but with much deeper thought and analysis, which will improve your ability to deal with many different incidents. Also building your confidence as knowledge is gained.
TAKE CARE OUT THERE, NO ONE IS GOING TO DO IT FOR YOU
DAN MOONIE
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