It’s been averaged that 17.9% of all fatal car accidents are due to vehicle rollovers. Regardless if you are driving on your own time or driving for work you should always be a safe driver. Whether it is due to the terrain, weather or traffic you should always be alert. When it comes to non-weather road hazards, hills are, perhaps, one of the more challenging risks. Hills create quite a number of dangers, including slipping hazards, decreased visibility and the surprise strain on your engine. With a large load, getting up a hill can also put extreme strain on the engine and demand more fuel than regular driving. Add slippery roads to the mix in rain, snow or ice, and the risk increases even more.
Avoiding hills is not always possible, because of this, drivers need to understand the risks associated with driving on hills in order to practice proper hill safety. Even drivers with the best track record can come across surprises on hills, and it’s critical for them to know what theses hazards are. These fleet safety tips for hill driving will help drivers be more aware and prepared for the hazards they may face while driving on hills.
Tips for Approaching Hills: the approach is often where accidents and mistakes happen, because driver’s expect problems when coming down the hill, not coming up. Keep these tips in mind:
Watch for signage – Hills with hazards, like falling rocks or deceptive grades, will have signage that indicate their characteristics. When approaching a hill, watch for this type of signage, and heed it.
Slow down – Do not speed up to try to get up the hill. Slow down, especially as you approach the top of the hill.
Towards the top, the contour of the road will make it difficult to see, so going too quickly will make risks even more hazardous.
Prepare for surprises – As you approach a hill, know that you are going to face surprises. Start being more aware, so any animal, vehicle, or road obstruction doesn’t turn into a catastrophe.
Note the weather – Wet or icy roads can make it more challenging to get up the hill, so note the weather as you approach.
Prepare for less visibility – The surprising risk of hills is the fact that you can’t see what’s coming. Be prepared for limited visibility as you approach the crest.
Yield to downhill travelers – If on a narrow road or other situation where someone must yield to oncoming traffic, always yield to the downhill vehicle, which will have trouble stopping.
Tips for the Descent: when you descend the hill, you need some additional tips. Consider these:
Slow down – The hill will cause some natural speed increases, so slow down to avoid speeding too quickly. Also, it’s difficult to stop on a hill, so a slower speed is wise.
Downshift – Running at a lower gear will help hold you back so you don’t get going too fast. This will also help reduce wear and tear on your breaks. Ensure that when driving heavy vehicles, you hold the mode button to lock into your low gear.
Use brakes wisely – Use brakes wisely to maintain a safe speed, but avoid situations where you need to stop suddenly on a hill, if possible.
Preventing and surviving a rollover: common sense and routine maintenance can greatly increase your odds of avoiding a rollover and walking away from one if it happens. Here are some survival tips:
Newer is better. The improvement might be because more people are buckling up, or because vehicles have better build quality and safety systems, but it’s probably a result of both. Either way, it makes sense to choose a vehicle with the most up-to-date safety systems. Especially important are electronic stability control and side-curtain air bags.
Wear safety belts. Belts help keep you in the seat so you are not tossed around in a rollover crash. About half of rollover fatalities occur when people are partly or completely ejected from the vehicle. Don’t think it’s good to be “thrown clear.” In all kinds of crashes, nearly three-quarters of people ejected from a vehicle are killed.
Check the tires. Make sure all the tires are in good shape and properly inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Check the inflation pressure at least once a month. Replacement tires should be similar to the vehicle’s original set.
Watch the load. Overloading any vehicle, particularly SUVs and pickups, decreases its stability. The worst practice is to place heavy loads on the roof. Try to stay well within the load ratings specified by the manufacturer. (They should be noted in your owner’s manual.) Try to place the heaviest cargo low on the floor and as far from the tailgate and as close to the center of the vehicle as possible.
Watch your speed. Speed makes a vehicle’s tendencies to roll over more severe, and it also makes more demands on a driver’s attention and skill. About 40 percent of fatal rollovers involve excessive speed, the government reports.
Beware on country roads. Almost three-quarters of fatal rollovers occur in rural areas on roads where the speed limit is 55 mph or more. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, those roads tended to be undivided highways without barriers.