Читать книгу Go Play In the Traffic! - Lenet Compton - Страница 8

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I live in Kansas and have to take advantage of a good curve anytime I find one. Curves, however, demand extra respect and attention to secure the navigation process. In the world of business processes, Six Sigma and Lean Experts understand the phrase, lean the process. It means find a way to get something done with less and not diminish benefits or quality. I lean a curve by changing lanes to create a straight path. I only use this strategy when I actually want to change lanes; otherwise, I enjoy driving through curves.

Brake before entering a curve. You learned that in Driver’s Education. Now you just have to remember to do it. There is less uncomfortable G-force when you brake early (and less wear on the tires). Both hands need to be in the “right” position. Driver’s Education teaches a 10 and 2 o’clock hand position. Many steering wheels are configured to provide a bit more gripping power at this position. However, high performance driving suggests a 9 and 3 o’clock position. I prefer the latter when dealing with serious curves because it provides more resistance against the steering wheel structure. You need to experiment and determine what feels best to you. Some seat configurations limit arm mobility in certain hand positions. Again, determine what feels best to you. The right feel may change based on the vehicle you’re driving.

I’ve seen some people create curves by changing lanes at an almost 90-degree angle. For goodness sake, smooth out the lane change by planning further ahead. Your passengers will thank you. At night, on-coming headlights can provide helpful curve information such as whether you are approaching a curve and how tight the curve may be. This helps you anticipate the next situation. During the day, look through the curve to actually see around the curve, around the mountain, around the house or whatever the visual obstacle may be. Try it. It sounds ridiculous, but it forces you to be alert and think ahead!