JKJR BERSAMA RAKAN KONGSI PERHEBATKAN

KEMPEN ADVOKASI KESELAMATAN JALAN RAYA BAGI ISU KEUTAMAAN PENJAGAAN SISTEM BREK KENDERAAN

30th OCTOBER 2009

Driving Safety Tips - Skidding and Hydroplaning in Rainy Conditions

Losing control of your car on wet pavement is a frightening experience. Skidding is a very scary experience.

Hydroplaning happens when the water in front of your tyres builds up faster than your tyres can push out of the way. The water pressure causes your car to float and slide on a thin layer of water between your tyres and the road.

Safety Tips To Prevent Skidding

1. You can prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. When you need to stop or slow down, do not brake hard. Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal.
2. If you do find yourself in a skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the accelerator and carefully steer your vehicle to safety. For cars without anti-lock brakes, avoid using your brakes. This procedure, known as "steering into the skid," will bring the back end of your car in line with the front. If your car has ABS, brake firmly as you steer into the skid.

Avoiding Hydroplanning

1. Avoid hydroplaning by keeping your tyre pressure at the recommended level. Maintain good tyre tread. Don't put off replacing worn tires. Slow down when roads are wet.
2. If you find yourself hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw your car into a skid. Ease your foot off the accelerator until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. If your car has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally. The car's computer will automatically pump the brakes much more effectively than a person can do.

What to do if your brakes fail?

a)          For Non Automatic Transmission

• Shift into a lower gear
• Release the clutch pedal (for manual transmissions)
• Apply the hand brake.

b)          For Automatic Transmission

• Apply hand brake and move the gear lever into the low range position.

Solution For Wet Brakes?

• Drive the vehicle a short distance
• Apply light pressure to the brake pedal.
• The heat generated by the friction of the brakes against the brake drum will evaporate the water from the brake linings.

Downhill Braking Control

• To prevent overheating and excessive wear on brakes when moving down a long hill or steep grade, use a lower gear instead of the brake pedal to control speed. Shift to the lower gear at the top of the hill, before you descend.

Other Issues :

-  Overloading your vehicles can cause brake failure.

-  Faulty suspension and alignment can contribute to loss of control. 

30  Oktober  2009   

Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya, Malaysia

www.jkjr.gov.my / www.panducermat.org.my