With summer season right here, seaside days and music festivals are set to be in full swing. Which means many city drivers will likely be hitting the countryside roads. These roads will be tough, nevertheless, with their winding paths, restricted lighting, and occasional flooding, even for assured drivers.
Driving on these unfamiliar lanes will be daunting. To assist drivers keep protected and put together for navigating these tough roads, The AA has shared knowledgeable ideas for driving countryside roads this summer season.
The AA Patrol of the 12 months, Chris Wooden, shares 6 prime ideas for driving on countryside roads
1. Decelerate for blind bends
Nation lanes are sometimes a lot narrower than metropolis roads and have considerably tighter bends. Issues like hedges and bushes that line the street may prohibit the view of the street forward. Drivers who’re unfamiliar with these roads ought to cut back their pace and enhance their stopping distance.
By slowing all the way down to an applicable pace for the bend, you give your self extra time to react to encountering any obstructions within the street, like a pedestrian, bike owner or horse rider. You can even wind the window down in an effort to pay attention out for the noises of different street customers.
2. Make use of headlights at the hours of darkness
Some drivers is perhaps shocked by how darkish the countryside turns into at evening in comparison with city areas. Many roads don’t have any avenue lights and there are fewer surrounding buildings emitting mild.
For some roads, it may be helpful to make use of your full-beam headlights to assist with visibility. Keep in mind to modify in your dipped headlights for those who see one other automobile.
3. Flooded roads
Flooded roads usually tend to happen on nation lanes. In the event you encounter a part of the street that’s underwater, you must try to keep away from driving by means of it if the water is transferring or greater than 4 inches deep.
If you end up within the water unintentionally, drive very slowly and be able to reverse if that you must. Once you’re out of the water, check your brakes to see that they’re nonetheless working correctly. In the event you break down, it’s vital to make sure you place your self in a protected place, earlier than calling your breakdown cowl supplier.
4. Tractors
When following a tractor, bear in mind they are often longer than they appear, particularly if they’ve a loader on the entrance. Tractors could not sign or use brake lights in the course of the day, so be careful for sudden turns.
Keep in mind to take care of loads of distance and guarantee you’ve sufficient house for those who’re planning to overhaul. Since they typically take quick journeys, take into account ready to see in the event that they flip earlier than overtaking.
5. Livestock
Practically a billion cattle are reared within the UK yearly, so encountering them on countryside roads is frequent. You’ll be able to overtake cows, sheep, or horse riders, however keep beneath 10 miles per hour and go away at the least two metres of house. Based on Rule 50 of the Freeway Code, horse riders must be sporting light-coloured or fluorescent clothes in daylight, and reflective clothes if using at evening or in poor visibility, so they need to be simple to identify.
Attempt to not rev your engine or blow the horn as this could frighten the animals. In some circumstances, it’s finest to attend or comply with animals till the street is obvious. Cattle grids, typically present in rural areas, will be pushed over with none points, however make sure that to take action slowly.
6. Cellular Protection
It’s attainable that you simply’ll lose your sign sooner or later whereas driving within the countryside. Even for those who can’t use your telephone for calls, the GPS ought to nonetheless work because it depends on satellites fairly than a cellular community. There are map functions you’ll be able to obtain earlier than your journey to assist with navigation.
In the event you use streaming companies to take heed to music, it’s a good suggestion to obtain your favorite playlists for offline listening earlier than you go.
