Therefore, the Lower Silesian police appeal for common sense, imagination, adapting speed to road conditions, and observing traffic regulations and safe-driving principles.
Icy road surfaces often reduce the grip of our vehicles’ wheels, which, combined with excessive speed, can lead to dangerous situations. Certainly, the safety of all road users—and consequently their health and lives—lies in our hands. That is why the officers want to remind drivers of several principles for operating a vehicle during this difficult period for some motorists. In Poland, schools, centres and academies that improve car-driving technique are still few and far between. To avoid dangerous situations and, sometimes, their irreversible consequences, it is therefore worth recalling advice that will certainly be useful while travelling.
Perhaps we should begin with the most important matter, namely our position behind the wheel. We should “settle” into the seat so that our centre of gravity is as low as possible while maintaining an adequate field of vision. Proper and skilful car control requires us to “feel” the vehicle well. Without positioning ourselves correctly behind the wheel, there is no chance of driving the vehicle properly. This is primarily about correctly processing all the information we receive about what is happening to the vehicle, specifically at its front and rear axles. The driver can “read” what is happening at the rear of the vehicle through their back, provided, of course, that it is pressed against the seatback. The lumbar region, carefully fitted into the seat, provides additional information. Bucket seats, used by rally-car drivers for a reason, are the best example here. Signals and information from the front of the vehicle reach us through the steering system, with which we are in contact via the steering wheel—but more on that later.
Once seated behind the “wheel”, we must adjust two essential dimensions. The first is the distance between our seat and the pedals. Place the left foot on the clutch and depress it fully. In this position, the leg should be slightly bent at the knee. This improves our feel for the clutch and, in the event of a collision, when we instinctively brace ourselves with the bent leg, protects the hip and knee joints from more serious injuries. We adjust the distance between the seat and the steering wheel by first pressing our back firmly against the seatback, then reaching for the point farthest from us on the wheel—most often the 12 o’clock position—with a slightly bent arm. The aim is to turn the steering wheel and access all the controls around it freely and without lifting our back, while also applying appropriate force. It is a mistake to sit too close to the steering wheel or too far away from it. On this occasion, let us also remember to adjust the headrest correctly so that it fulfils its role while driving.
The vast majority of new vehicles are equipped with airbags. It should be emphasised here that they perform their function only when the safety belts are fastened and equipped with pyrotechnic pretensioners. Wearing a seat belt is essential even during a short drive at low speed. It may happen that, while driving, we hit the vehicle in front of us, triggering the airbag, which, as we know, deploys with tremendous force. Without a fastened seat belt, this may have unpleasant consequences.
Undoubtedly, the most important device in our vehicle is the steering wheel itself and the way we use it. At first glance, it may seem that if we are driving straight ahead, the way we hold it does not matter. This view results, among other things, in carelessly leaving one hand on it, anywhere. Surely each of us has seen drivers operating a car in this way more than once. We have already mentioned that, through the steering wheel and hands placed on it correctly, we receive very important signals. Therefore, we should hold the steering wheel with both hands even when driving without intending to change direction. Using clock-face positions, the hands should rest at nine o’clock (left hand) and three o’clock (right hand). These positions define the steering wheel’s horizontal axis, meaning our hands are placed as far apart as possible. In this position, we receive all the information and know what is happening with our car’s wheels. Placing the hands differently disrupts our “reading”, that is, our reception of these stimuli. What is more, it is then easiest to turn in either direction and return to the starting position. This grip also makes it easier to reach the switches and levers within range.
It should also be mentioned that, during winter, clothing must not restrict us in any way. Thus, the shoes in which we drive, for example, affect how quickly we can press the brake. Driving in a winter, often down-filled jacket requires the safety belt to be fastened correctly. The belt must lie against the body; otherwise, in the event of a road incident, it will immediately begin to “absorb” the energy of the collision. We may drive while wearing gloves, provided they are designed for this purpose. Otherwise, they may slip. Driving in a hat and scarf may limit our view, which is needed when performing basic manoeuvres such as changing lanes.
Another important topic is winter tyres. When should they be changed, and is there a need to change them at all? Winter conditions require not only greater imagination and reflexes on the road, but also special preparation of our vehicle for this period. One of the standard measures for preparing a car for lower temperatures is changing from summer tyres to winter tyres. When the average daily temperature falls below 7 degrees Celsius, everyone should seriously consider changing them. First, winter and summer tyres differ in the materials from which they are made. At temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius, a winter tyre does not harden and retains its flexibility, allowing it to adhere better to the road surface. This is due to its high silica content. “Winter tyres” are made from a special rubber compound that performs well even in exceptionally frosty weather.
Let us remember that a soft tyre provides high grip and traction. A hard tyre provides nothing except an uncontrolled skid. Summer and winter tyres differ not only in the composition of their compounds but also in their tread patterns. Winter tyres have wider central grooves and several times more transverse tread cuts, known as sipes. This design is intended to remove water and slush more quickly and effectively and to provide better grip on snow. Winter tyres increase safety when driving in winter conditions. This is particularly evident in a shorter braking distance, but remember that if the tread is heavily worn, the tyre will not grip a snow- or ice-covered surface properly.
In conclusion, let us remember that we are not alone on the road. Let us show other drivers plenty of respect and remember that it is not the vehicle that skids and loses control, but the person driving it. We decide many factors while driving.
asp. Tomasz Słuszniak, Traffic Department of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Wrocław/ii