With summer season right here, seaside days and music festivals are set to be in full swing. Which means many city drivers might be hitting the countryside roads. These roads may be difficult, nonetheless, with their winding paths, restricted lighting, and occasional flooding, even for assured drivers.
Driving on these unfamiliar lanes may be daunting. To assist drivers keep protected and put together for navigating these tough roads, The AA has shared skilled suggestions for driving countryside roads this summer season.
The AA Patrol of the Yr, Chris Wooden, shares 6 high suggestions 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 highway may limit the view of the highway forward. Drivers who’re unfamiliar with these roads ought to cut back their velocity and improve their stopping distance.
By slowing right down to an applicable velocity for the bend, you give your self extra time to react to encountering any obstructions within the highway, like a pedestrian, bicycle owner or horse rider. You can even wind the window down in an effort to hear out for the noises of different highway customers.
2. Make use of headlights at the hours of darkness
Some drivers may be stunned by how darkish the countryside turns into at evening in comparison with city areas. Many roads haven’t any avenue lights and there are fewer surrounding buildings emitting gentle.
For some roads, it may be helpful to make use of your full-beam headlights to assist with visibility. Keep in mind to change in your dipped headlights should you see one other automobile.
3. Flooded roads
Flooded roads usually tend to happen on nation lanes. If you happen to encounter a part of the highway that’s underwater, it is best to attempt to keep away from driving by way 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 it’s good to. If you’re out of the water, check your brakes to see that they’re nonetheless working correctly. If you happen to break down, it’s essential 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 throughout the day, so be careful for sudden turns.
Keep in mind to take care of loads of distance and guarantee you have got sufficient area should you’re planning to overhaul. Since they typically take quick journeys, think about ready to see in the event that they flip earlier than overtaking.
5. Livestock
Almost a billion cattle are reared within the UK yearly, so encountering them on countryside roads is widespread. You possibly can overtake cows, sheep, or horse riders, however keep below 10 miles per hour and depart no less than two metres of area. In line with Rule 50 of the Freeway Code, horse riders ought to be carrying 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.
Strive to not rev your engine or blow the horn as this could frighten the animals. In some instances, it’s greatest to attend or comply with animals till the highway is evident. Cattle grids, typically present in rural areas, may be pushed over with none points, however be sure that to take action slowly.
6. Cellular Protection
It’s potential that you simply’ll lose your sign in some unspecified time in the future whereas driving within the countryside. Even should you 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 possibly can obtain earlier than your journey to assist with navigation.
If you happen to 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.
