Why is it necessary to reduce speed when turning?
2 Answers
Excessive speed during turns can easily lead to rollovers, hence the need to reduce speed. A detailed explanation of speed reduction on curves is as follows: 1. Reasons for slowing down on curves: When a vehicle turns, it is essentially performing circular motion. The friction between the car and the road generates centripetal force. The faster the vehicle speed, the greater the centripetal force becomes. When the centripetal force exceeds the frictional force, the vehicle will experience centrifugal phenomenon, leading to loss of directional control, potential rollover, and dangerous traffic accidents. Therefore, to prevent rollovers during turns, it's necessary to reduce speed to ensure safe and smooth passage. 2. Precautions during turns: When driving through curves, drivers should not only decelerate but also pay attention to the inner side of the turn for pedestrians or overtaking vehicles to ensure safe driving. Additionally, be alert for any obstacles on the road, as the outer tires experience significant lateral forces during turns. Contact with obstacles may cause excessive stress leading to tire blowouts.
In my daily driving, I always consciously slow down before making a turn. If I don't reduce speed, the car is prone to skidding and losing control, especially when driving at high speeds. It feels like being thrown out, very unstable. I remember one time making a quick turn in the rain, the tires screeched, and I almost slid off the road—that was a profound lesson. Reducing speed allows the tires to grip the road better, maintaining balance, and also lets you see hazards in blind spots, like suddenly appearing pedestrians or electric bikes. The car's body is affected by gravity; slower speeds improve comfort and reduce dizziness. Turning isn't something done in an instant; taking it slow reduces sudden braking wear, extending tire life. In short, this is a core personal safety habit—protecting yourself, your car, and others, especially in complex road conditions where taking risks isn't worth it.
