How to survive on the road: tips for drivers and pedestrians

How to behave at a pedestrian crossing

How much is going on on it! Fights, swearing, comic and tragic moments, the manifestation of gallantry, miracles and speed of reaction. This is one of the most dangerous sections of the road, uniting and dividing us into two eternally warring parties: drivers and pedestrians.

If you cross the road, make sure the driver lets you pass. It is impossible to stop a vehicle instantly, even if it is moving according to the rules of the road with a speed of 60 km / h permitted in the city. Well, maybe about a thick lamppost. But to do it instantly before the pedestrian crossing is simply impossible according to the laws of physics. Yes, yes, I'm talking about the inertia of a one and a half ton metal object moving, for example, at a speed half the permitted speed - 30 km / h.

The driver, under whose wheels you are trying to throw yourself, proving your advantage, will take about 8 meters to realize what is happening and throw your foot on the brake pedal. And about 6 meters more for braking on dry asphalt. Total 14 meters!

Therefore, always remember the phrase "A pedestrian is always right while he is alive" and do not try to prove to the driver that he is a donkey. Quickly going out on the road, you will not leave anyone a chance: he - to listen to you, and to yourself - to speak. Just step on the crosswalk, show the driver that you are about to cross, and he will definitely stop to give you the opportunity to take advantage of it.

And one more important point: if they honk you at a pedestrian crossing, this does not mean at all “Run faster, I'm in a hurry!”. This may mean that the driver who stopped to let you pass sees in the mirror what you cannot see as a pedestrian. For example, another car or motorcycle that rushes from behind and simply does not have time to brake.

How to assess the safety of the road surface and avoid skidding

Let's say you are driving a modern car on the modern Don toll highway M4 and have just passed the 130 km / h speed limit sign. Be extremely careful if the temperature outside the window is below zero and there is drizzle on the asphalt. It means that the road is likely to be iced up even if you see dry asphalt. Just slow down smoothly.

The same should be done when changing lanes in the case when the lanes are cleaned, and there is a small amount of snow between them. Slow down and change lanes without sudden movements and accelerations. Otherwise, skidding cannot be avoided.

Since we are talking about drizzle and temperatures below zero, I want to warn you: beware of anti-icing agents that are sprinkled or watered on the roadway. This can play a cruel joke on you: a reagent designed for a temperature of -15 ° C will surely turn into oil if the temperature rises to zero the next day. And spikes on the asphalt wet from such an oil reagent will only increase the likelihood of skidding and the length of the braking distance.

You should also be careful in the rain. Remember that on almost any road, if the asphalt was not laid yesterday, there will be at least a small track. This is the most dangerous thing that can be in the rain when changing lanes from row to row, as well as when moving in a lane.

Even at a speed of 90-100 km / h, if your car's tires hit this rut, there is a very high chance of learning what aquaplaning is.

A similar situation will be on the asphalt laid yesterday: the water will be evenly distributed over its entire surface with the layer necessary for aquaplaning.

And here's another thing! System of directional stability and stability, traction control systems and ABS in case of a sudden sharp skid at high speed are unlikely to help. Under the cheerful crackle of these systems and the flashing of multi-colored lights on the dashboard, the car will playfully move in the direction of a ditch, bump stop or oncoming lane.

How to protect yourself on long trips and stay awake while driving

Many had to drive a car in the dark for long (and not so) distances along suburban roads. Traffic in such situations requires more attention than on a five-lane illuminated avenue of a large city. I adhere to the following rules and use the following tricks.

1. If an oncoming car blinds you with a high-beam headlight and does not want to extinguish it in any way in response to your persistent blinking with the same distant one, put your foot on the brake pedal. And then just shift your gaze to the right shoulder. The road will still remain in your field of vision, but there will be no direct hit of the high beam in your eyes.

2. If it is cold outside, do not turn on the stove or climate control to high temperatures and do not undress to the T-shirt. Stay in your jacket and keep the cabin slightly warm. In such conditions, it will be less sleepy. In addition, if in a serious accident and freezing temperatures outside the window you find yourself trapped in the cabin, you will not get fatal hypothermia before the arrival of the Ministry of Emergencies.

3. If you are driving on the track, the chance to doze increases. Firstly, because you do not stop and accelerate as often as in the city, and secondly, the flickering of road markings during straight-line movement puts you to sleep like a pendulum. Check yourself: is it time to take a break? Sleep does not come suddenly. It is always preceded by a stage of fatigue and slow reaction.

Try in your mind to multiply 25 by 48. If you multiply laziness - this is the first sign of impending sleep.

Another alarming signal: you noticed how you blink. Usually this process is invisible to a person, we do not pay attention to it. But with fatigue and a state preceding sleep, the blinking process slows down and you notice it. So just pull over to the side of the road, set the alarm and close your eyes for 15-20 minutes. Three hours will definitely help.

4. If you are a pedestrian and move along an unlit road at night, remember: you cannot be seen. Yes, it’s not visible at all. Especially if you are an Ozzy Osbourne fan and wear all black. Put on a jacket or cape with reflective stripes, or simply buy and attach something that reflects light to your clothes. For example, a small icon (flicker). Leave the driver a chance to see you.

There are situations in which nothing depends on us, but in most cases everything is in our hands. Remember this.