Drivin' twisties
Too many times I've seen avoidable accidents on the twisty turns in and around town.
Almost every time, police at the scene say speed is a factor in the crash.
Other times alcohol or other drugs, usually prescriptions, are involved.
Recently two accidents on Clark Road south of town had me thinking about what can be done to help prevent these things from happening and sending people to the hospital.
Not drinking and driving is an obvious measure.
Police routinely say the single best thing to avoid crashing is slowing down.
The next best action is usually said, again by police, to follow further behind other vehicles giving more time to stop if needed.
The two crashes on Clark Monday and Tuesday in nearly identical areas of the slick road, were both said to be caused by unsafe speed.
Police say they feel safe saying the causes were unsafe speed, because if they'd been traveling at a safe speed they'd not be in the accident in the first place.
After that, they usually say the driver hit their brakes while already in the turn causing the car to lose control.
Slowing down prior to the turn and letting the car's momentum carry through the turn is the safer way to negotiate a turn.
Trying to slow down a car mid-turn can upset the car's handling dynamics causing the car to spin.
New technologies brake individual wheels and judge when and how to apply the brakes for you using steering input, anti-lock brake and speed sensors. These traction control devices can also interrupt throttle input.
However, following what race car drivers and emergency vehicle operators do, braking before the turn and accelerating through it is probably better.
Also, obeying posted speed limits and taking heed to the yellow posted limits in the turns will help.