PRACTICE SKIDDING

Shannon News, 21 August 1928, Page 4

PRACTICE SKIDDING

HANDY THING TO KNOW.

Skidding results in two ways. 1/ ir due to a slipping of the wheel* when the brakes are applied, or a slipping of the wheels when power is applied.—the former type of skid being the most common.

When the car begins to skid release the brakes immediately. Even if some obstruction is in front of the car, it will be almost useless to hold the brakes down hard while the car is sliding. It is much better to release then!, allow the wheels to turn, and endeavour to steer or dodge out of the •way.

The ability to do this cannot be developed on the spur of the moment,, but it should W learned, for skids are bound to happen where cars are driven in all types of woathcr. i is, therefore, better to practise skidding on a broad street where there is no traffic, than to be ignorant of its causes and remedies when an emergency arises.

If the street is wet, drive at about 10 miles; an t hour—no faster. Look back and ahead to make sure that there is no nearby traffic. Then apply the brakes vigorously. The instant the car gets out of a straight line, release the brakes and straighten up the car by means of the steering wheel. Repeat this practice until it becomes instinctive to release the brakes, straighten up the car and apply the brakes again.