6 tips for safe downhill and mountain driving

(Baonghean.vn) -Mountain passes and steep roads pose a challenge not only for amateur drivers but also for professional drivers. On these routes, it's crucial to master the techniques for safely descending slopes.

1. Obey traffic laws and signs.

For safety reasons, mountain passes always have a densely packed system of road signs and convex mirrors. Drive at the permitted speed, obey road signs, and assess visibility, available space, and speed when overtaking. Use your turn signal when requesting to overtake. While driving, maintain a calm demeanor because momentary emotions can affect your mental state, judgment, and ability to react.

2. Maintain a reasonable speed.

If you're driving in a convoy on a mountain pass and see the car in front speeding along with smooth cornering maneuvers, remember that they have excellent skills and extensive experience in downhill driving. Therefore, you shouldn't try to keep up with that speed; just one mistake could be life-threatening.

Drive at a speed that feels safe and comfortable for you, allowing you to handle corners, and slow down if you feel the car is going a little too fast.

The most appropriate speed when descending a mountain pass is the speed at which the driver can maintain control with minimal braking; the vehicle will then descend using only the throttle and primarily rely on its inertia.

Always stay in your lane when driving on mountain roads. Especially avoid cutting corners where there are solid lines; these are blind corners and accidents are very likely to occur.

3. Braking techniques

On winding mountain roads, brakes play an even more crucial role. Before each trip, take the time to check your vehicle's braking system, including seat belts, brake pads, deceleration aids, and power steering fluid.

Never apply the brakes continuously. Use other vehicle systems to control the vehicle's deceleration. Continuous and frequent braking causes excessive friction on the brake pads, overheating of the braking system, and boiling of the brake fluid, posing significant dangers to the vehicle and the driver.

4. Combining mechanical braking and gearbox braking.

This is one of the techniques passed down by many experienced drivers. Many newer cars are equipped with automatic transmissions instead of manual ones, but both types of vehicles have engine braking support when going downhill. Therefore, when driving on long, steep mountain roads, drivers should avoid using the highest gear and combine it with the use of the mechanical brake.

For automatic cars, never leave the gear in neutral (N) because the car will roll.

5. Use numbers appropriately.

You should drive in a low gear, avoid sudden braking, coasting, or abrupt changes in speed. If an automatic car starts to coast, immediately apply the brakes and simultaneously shift down to lower gears.

For manual transmission vehicles, before approaching a steep incline, depending on road and weather conditions, shift to the appropriate gear. Disengage the clutch quickly when braking using the gearbox to prevent the clutch from being disengaged for too long.

6. Always stay on the right side of the road.

When driving downhill on a sharp bend (a hairpin bend): always stay close to the right side of the road. Avoid speeding to minimize centrifugal force that could cause the vehicle to overturn or prevent you from braking in time, which could lead to the vehicle plunging into the ravine.

Before descending a mountain pass, you should inspect your vehicle to ensure it is in optimal and safe condition. Regular maintenance is essential to monitor the quality of your brake pads and tires, and to promptly repair or replace any damaged parts. Check tire pressure, tire wear, coolant levels, and vehicle lighting before setting off.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)