Follow the four r's when?

Answer 1

Avoiding a head-on collision:

MEMORIZE AND USE THE FOUR R's

• Read
• Right
• Reduce
• Ride

READ the road ahead. It's all about being prepared. Look on both sides of the road for things like potholes, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other hazards. Look ahead to the next hill or curb for drivers who may enter your lane. Check out the next intersection for impatient drivers waiting to move. That way, you can anticipate a potential head-on before it occurs.The second R is to ride to the RIGHT. If you see an oncoming vehicle nearing the centerline, drive slightly to the right of your lane. The closer the other car comes to your vehicle, the further you must move to your right.

By the way, on a four-lane highway the safest lane is generally the lane to the right.Next, REDUCE your speed. By reducing speed, we can lower the energy of the car, and therefore; increase our control. Flash your lights, honk your horn--anything to warn the oncoming driver. If he still keeps coming, be prepared to RIDE off the road. Drive, don't skid, off the road. If you skid, you lose control. So don't lock your brakes. Look where you want to go and follow the path of least resistance. Remember, it's natural to aim the car where you're looking.Squeeze non-A.B.S. brakes. For A.B.S. brakes, keep heavy pressure on the pedal.

And if you have to hit something, obviously go for something soft or light, like bushes. If you're headed for something hard, like a tree, try to hit it at a glancing blow. Every inch off center reduces the impact and increases your chance of survival.

After that, you need to know how to drive back onto the road. Get off the gas and stay straight by looking down the road where you want to go. Don't hit the gas or the brake or jerk back onto the road. Just gradually ease the car back onto the hard surface. You might end up in the ditch, but it's better than hitting another car head-on.What would you do to avoid an oncoming car? You would just get into their lane, the left lane, because they're in YOUR lane, right? WRONG!

If you drive to the left, the oncoming driver just may instinctively pull the car back into his lane. You don't want to go there. Remember the four R's; they just might save your life.

As traffic continues to increase, there are more and more aggressive drivers out there. You've got to stay cool and calm. Don't give them control over you. One of the best ways to do that is to increase following distance. If you're right on a bumper, and the guy slams on his brakes, where are you going to go? If you don't leave enough room, you're going to go right into his trunk! So give yourself space.

Answer 2

Avoiding a head on collision