If you’ve ever switched between driving a compact car and driving a truck or SUV, you’ve probably noticed the differences. Getting into an SUV will give you added height, durability, and a different handling.
The opposite also is true! If you’re someone who normally drives a tall, big car, you might get discouraged when you need to drive a smaller, more compact vehicle.
For some tips on how to drive a small car, like a sports utility vehicle or a sedan, safely, read below. We’ve put together some great advice for you if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Speed limits are designed to help keep all drivers safe at all times. They are created by engineers who can determine what speeds around which curves are safest and what limits would prevent fatal crashes.
When you’re in a sports car, it’s tempting to want to drive fast; however, there are also big risks when you go too fast in a smaller car. You can see some examples of this in the ultimate guide to car accidents..
Being in a small car and low to the ground and experiencing a high-speed collision could be fatal. For your safety, it is much better to maintain a speed closer to the speed limit. Using the cruise control setting is another way to remind yourself not to go too fast.
Drivers of sports cars and sedans are at higher risk of serious injury or death in vehicle collisions because the smaller vehicle is lower to the ground and has fewer protective structures to keep those inside safe, he says. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means that it is even more important for these drivers to avoid accidents through escape routes.
An escape route is a path through traffic to safety. In the event of a collision in front of you somewhere, you should have a direction in mind where you would go if braking was not an option.
Sometimes hitting the brakes too hard puts you at risk of being rear-ended and injured. If you have a car following closely behind you, it’s best to find a way in front.
For example, swerving off the road where it seems safe while slowing down might be an option. But if you’re on a bridge, or there are signs on the side of the road, this will make hitting the brakes safer.
You don’t always have to know exactly where to go, but as a small car driver, having these plans in the back of your head in case of an emergency is good practice.
The 4-second rule dictates that after the car in front of you passes a stationary object, at least 4 seconds must pass before you pass that same object.
This rule is useful because it takes into account changes in velocity (see here). If you travel at lower speeds, you can stop in less time, so you don’t have to be too far from the person in front of you.
In contrast, on an interstate that is going much faster, it will take you much longer to stop and you should be much farther behind.
The 4 second rule applies in both cases; As long as you follow it, you don’t have to do any math for safety as a small car driver.
It is important for small car drivers to avoid collisions at all costs. Drivers should be aware of the difference of driving lower to the ground compared to other vehicles. Use these tips to help prevent and avoid potential collisions.
Last update: August 30, 2022
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