Should You Accelerate or Decelerate When Turning a Car?
2 Answers
You should decelerate when turning a car. Large turning radius: Try to make the turning radius as large as possible. To avoid hazards such as obstruction or collision, aim to steer toward a more distant point when turning. Check the rearview mirror: When making a turn, always check the rearview mirror to ensure there are no vehicles or pedestrians on the side or behind you before proceeding. Watch for blind spots: Novice drivers often focus only on what's ahead or to one side while turning, neglecting blind spots, which may lead to hitting the curb or causing a scrape. Always check for obstacles below the rearview mirror, and if necessary, open the door to take a look before turning. Steering control: Maintain proper control of the steering wheel. Steering is crucial when turning. For sharp turns, turn the wheel as much as needed, then gradually straighten it after completing the turn. For wide turns, steer slowly and smoothly.
I always slow down when turning for safety reasons. Reducing speed makes your car more stable and less likely to skid or roll over in a curve—I learned this the hard way: once, I accelerated on a mountain curve to save time, and the car suddenly lost control and hit the roadside. Thankfully, nothing serious happened, but the repair costs were shocking. Slowing down helps tires maintain better grip, especially crucial on rainy, snowy, or slippery roads. Lower speed also gives you more time to react to unexpected situations, like oncoming vehicles or roadside obstacles. After exiting the curve, you can gently press the accelerator to regain speed based on road conditions. Safe driving habits are built step by step—don’t risk speeding through turns, as it only increases danger and wastes more time dealing with post-accident troubles.
