Bends

Dealing with Bends

To handle bends safely and effectively, look well ahead and assess:

  • How sharp the bend is

  • The appropriate speed to maintain full control

Where visibility is restricted, be prepared for:

  • Oncoming vehicles

  • Stationary or slow-moving obstructions

  • Pedestrians walking on your side of the road

Key Actions

  • Use the footbrake to reduce speed before the bend

  • Select the right gear for your new speed

  • Apply the accelerator gently to maintain steady power

  • Steer smoothly to hold the correct line

Remember: A bend can feel like a sharp corner if you approach too fast. Slow down early to stay in control.

Positioning on Bends

Left-Hand Bends

  • Keep to the centre of your lane as you approach
  • Do not move towards the middle of the road to improve your view — it could bring you dangerously close to oncoming traffic

Right-Hand Bends

  • Keep slightly left of your lane’s centre to improve visibility
  • Do not let the clear view tempt you into entering too quickly

Choosing the Correct Speed

Selecting the right speed for a bend requires practice and judgement.
The correct speed is one that allows you to steer through the bend smoothly and safely under full control.

This depends on:

  • The type and condition of the road

  • The sharpness of the bend

  • The camber (slope) of the road

  • Visibility and weather conditions

Road Camber and Banking

  • Camber is the slope of the road surface from the centre towards the edges, designed to aid drainage.

  • Adverse camber slopes downwards toward the outside of the bend. This increases the risk of your vehicle sliding outward.

  • Banked bends (often found on motorway slip roads) slope upwards toward the outside, helping to counteract the outward force.

Adjusting Your Speed Before the Bend

Never enter a bend too fast. Slow down before turning:

  • Ease off the accelerator and let speed fall naturally, or

  • Use the footbrake progressively, changing to a lower gear if necessary

Your lowest speed should be reached before you begin to steer.

Braking or Acceleration

  • Avoid braking harshly on a bend, as this can cause instability or skidding

  • On sharp bends, braking while cornering increases the risk of losing control

  • Use light, steady pressure on the accelerator — enough to maintain grip and stability, not to gain speed

Excess acceleration, especially in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, can cause the wheels to lose traction and skid.

Only begin to accelerate gently after straightening up on exit.

Selecting the Right Gear

Choose the correct gear before entering the bend so both hands are free for steering.

The gear should allow you to maintain steady engine power through the bend without changing mid-turn.

Steering and Vehicle Handling

Every vehicle handles differently on bends. Learn how yours responds.

  • Understeer: The vehicle turns less than expected — the front tyres lose grip, and the car continues straight.

  • Oversteer: The vehicle turns more than expected — the rear tyres lose grip, causing the back end to slide out.

Excessive understeer or oversteer can lead to loss of control.

Always judge how much steering input your vehicle needs.

Extra Load

Extra weight affects cornering and stability. Be aware of:

  • Additional passengers

  • Heavy items in the boot

  • Loads on the roof rack

A heavier or top-heavy vehicle will handle differently, especially on bends.

Tyre Pressure

Incorrect tyre pressure affects both steering and grip.

  • Low pressure makes steering heavier and can overheat tyres

  • High pressure reduces grip and increases the chance of skidding

Check tyre pressures regularly, especially before long journeys or when carrying extra weight.

Negotiating the Bend

Look Ahead

Watch for clues such as:

  • Warning signs

  • Road markings

  • Changes in road surface or colour

These indicate:

  • The type and direction of the bend

  • How sharp it is

  • Whether it’s part of a series

Assess the Situation

Ask yourself:

  • How hazardous does it appear? (If "SLOW" is painted on the road, there’s a real risk ahead.)

  • Could there be an obstruction like a parked or slow-moving vehicle?

  • Might there be pedestrians or no footpath?

  • Is there adverse camber that could pull the vehicle off course?

Always ensure you can stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear.

Approach with Care

Follow the MSM/PSL routine (Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre / Position – Speed – Look):

  1. Take up the best position for the bend

  2. Adjust speed and select the appropriate gear

  3. Look ahead and around for hazards

Entering & Exiting the Bend

  • As you enter, apply light acceleration to maintain grip and balance

  • Avoid braking sharply unless in an emergency

  • As you leave, gently increase speed once the steering straightens

Stopping on a Bend

Avoid stopping on a bend unless absolutely necessary.
If you must stop:

  • Make sure following traffic can see you clearly

  • Stop clear of solid centre lines

  • Use hazard warning lights and, if safe, a warning triangle or other permitted device

Driving at Night

Bends are harder to judge at night. Use all available clues:

  • The headlights of oncoming vehicles can help you gauge the road’s direction

  • Dip headlights early for oncoming traffic — especially on left-hand bends

  • Be prepared for glare on right-hand bends

Always anticipate unseen hazards beyond the reach of your headlights.

A Series of Bends

Double or multiple bends are usually well signed.
Watch for:

  • Road signs

  • Double white lines

  • Directional arrows

If bends follow closely, avoid accelerating between them — the second may be sharper than expected.

On winding roads:

  • Choose the correct gear for consistent control

  • Maintain steady power and grip through each bend

  • Prepare early for the next bend, as direction and camber often change rapidly

Defensive Driving on Bends

Stay alert for risky behaviour from others, such as:

  • Vehicles overtaking too close to a bend

  • Drivers entering too fast

  • Oncoming vehicles crossing the centre line

  • Vehicles skidding in poor weather

  • Cars turning into concealed entrances

Be ready to slow down or take evasive action safely.

Understanding Limit Points

The limit point is the furthest point on the road surface you can see clearly — where the left and right verges appear to meet.

  • If the limit point is moving towards you quickly, reduce your speed — the bend is tightening.

  • If it remains a constant distance away, your speed is correct (as long as you can stop safely within that distance).

  • If it’s moving away, the bend is opening up — you can gradually accelerate.

Mastering limit points helps you read the road more accurately and drive smoothly through bends.

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