5 Tips for Driving On Country Roads
Drivers often need to adjust their driving style to suit different road types. For example, you may not be able to navigate a gravel road using the same techniques you would on asphalt or concrete. If you’re about to head off on a road trip navigating sometimes challenging country roads, it can be worth keeping some of these tips in mind.
Be Prepared for Anything
Depending on how long you’ll be away, you might decide to pack clothing, snacks, water, and your mobile phone. However, when you’re traveling in a new area on unfamiliar roads, it can be worth being even more prepared.
Write down phone numbers for a lawyer in case of an accident, a mechanic, breakdown service, and insurance company. Carry a first aid kit, blankets, phone charger, and a spare tire. You never know when you may need help or supplies when traveling on roads you’ve never explored before.
Perfect Your Windy Road Driving Techniques
If you’re not used to driving on windy roads, you can’t expect to be completely confident with them. Unsurprisingly, driving on roads with tight, hairpin corners can require practice and care.
When you reach a corner, slow down and position your vehicle to the side of your lane opposite the curve. As you navigate the turn, move your car towards the other side of the lane before moving back to your natural place in the center as you enter the straight stretch of road. Always stay in your own lane and treat every corner like another car is coming around it at the same time.
Drive At a Speed You’re Comfortable With
Many narrow, winding and poorly visible country roads share the same speed limits as other national roads. However, even the most skilled drivers may struggle to safely navigate such a challenging country road at 65 miles an hour.
Don’t feel pressured to drive at the posted speed limit if you don’t feel safe doing so. Instead, travel at the speed you’re most comfortable with, and pull over to let other drivers pass if necessary.
Take Care With Overtaking Maneuvers
Overtaking on a country road can be far more challenging and dangerous than a wide highway with excellent visibility. There can be obstacles you can’t see, blind corners, and sharp drops on the side of the road you can’t always spot until you’re next to them.
If you need to overtake a car, agricultural vehicle, horse, or something else on a country road, do so carefully. Don’t overtake if you can’t see what’s ahead or on a corner, and make sure those in front of you aren’t turning before you start to overtake.
Plan Your Trip
Plenty of planning should go into any road trip, but even more so when traveling on unfamiliar and sometimes challenging roads. Allow more time to reach your destination, make sure your vehicle is well-maintained, and check the weather forecast before you set off. You may even like to calculate the distance between gas stations so you can avoid running out of gas.
Road trips can be exciting and fun, but they can also go wrong. Keep yourself and your passengers safe by planning, brushing up on your driving techniques and driving within your capabilities.