Traveling is great for many people, and there are many places to visit in nature, such as the high roads of a mountain. A person should always practice safety when on a mountain, especially if you plan on making your descent down a steep slope of one of the sides of the mountain. There is a way to make a safe return to the bottom of the mountain when driving down to ensure you and anyone else remain uninjured.
Always Drive Straight
Regardless of whether there is a path, it would be best if you always drove as straight as you could to drive down the mountain safely. If you drive diagonally or try to make turns, you could slide down at an uncontrolled rate. You will have a lot more control of the vehicle if you can utilize the wheels to slow down and break as much as possible.
Use Lower Gears
All vehicles have gears that you may shift to, so your speed is diminished. Manual transmissions will have the lowest gear shift at “1,” and an automatic transmission will have the option of “L,” “1,” or “2” for lower gears. The L on the automatic transmission is useful and easier to operate than lower gears on manual transmissions. Shifting to L will allow the engine to produce more power while decreasing speed. You will have an easier time pumping the brakes while using the engine’s power to strengthen the vehicle’s ability to handle the stress on the braking mechanism. You can also use the 1 or 2 gear if you need to reduce speed even more for better grip and a safe drive down the mountain.
Go as Slow as You Can
Speed is always an essential element of the road, and if you want to remain safe while descending a steep mountain, it’s important to move slowly. Gravity will work against you if you speed down the mountainside; you’ll have a faster velocity and trouble braking when you get to the bottom. But if you drive slowly, you’ll have a controlled descent and won’t risk your vehicle curving on the path downward and possibly tipping over. If you travel with luggage on top of the car, you’ll want to distribute the weight on the roof rack to prevent the vehicle from becoming top-heavy.
Mountains are wonderful parts of nature, but they are dangerous for people who try to drive down from up high. Use these tips, your common sense, and any safety measures to ensure you get to the mountain’s base in one piece.
