Chapter 10 Cornering

Question 1

What are the key principles for safe cornering?

Answer 1

• make sure that your vehicle is in the correct position on the approach
• travel at the correct speed for the corner or bend
• select the correct gear for that speed
• use the accelerator to maintain a constant speed through the bend
• be able to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear on your side of the road

Question 2

What are the three forces that reduce stability and tyre grip?

Answer 2

• steering
• accelerating
• braking

Question 3

What is crown camber?

Answer 3

Road surfaces usually slope to help drainage. The normal slope falls from the crown of the road to the edges and is called crown camber

Question 4

Explain camber on a left hand bend?

Answer 4

On a left hand bend, camber increases the effect of your steering because the road slopes down in the direction of the turn

Question 5

Explain camber on a right hand bend?

Answer 5

On a right hand bend, camber reduces the effect of steering because the road slopes away from the direction of the turn

Question 6

What is superelevation?

Answer 6

Superelevation is where the whole width of the road is banked up towards the outside edge of the bend, making the slope favourable for for cornering in both directions

Question 7

What are the key factors that determine your vehicles ability to corner?

Answer 7

• the specification and condition of your vehicle, including tyres
• your speed
• the amount of steering you apply
• the amount of acceleration or braking
• the slope across the road surface: camber and superelevation
• the road surface and how the weather has effected its grip

Question 8

What is the limit point?

Answer 8

The limit point is the furthest point to which you have uninterrupted view of the road surface. This is where the right hand edge of the road appeals to meet the left hand edge in the distance. The more distant the limit point, the more quickly you can go because you have more space to stop in. The closer the limit point, the slower you must go because you have less space to stop in.

Question 9

Always be prepared to sacrifice your road position for _______ .

Answer 9

Safety

Question 10

How to position on right hand bends?

Answer 10

Position yourself towards the left of your road space where appropriate

Question 11

How to position on left hand bends?

Answer 11

Position yourself towards the centre line so that you can get an early view around the bend

Question 12

What’s the difference between the limit point on left and right hand bends?

Answer 12

On a left hand bend, you should drive as though the limit point is where the edge of the road meets the central white line (or the centre of the road if there’s no white line) so that you can stop safely on your own side of the road. Where as on a right hand bend, the limit point will be on the edge of the road.