Superior Auto Body Saskatoon has been in business since 1961, and we have been an SGI ELITE Autobody shop and have been SGI accredited since 1982. There are many reasons we have so many loyal longstanding clients from all over the city, but mostly it is the small, personal touches that we offer to people who have been unfortunate enough to require our services. We offer newer model courtesy cars and vans for our clients..and to help out we will also pick up your vehicle and take it to your SGI appointment for you and deliver the courtesy car to you at home. In our latest blog, we share some gravel road safety tips from SGI.
Our team at Superior take pride in their workmanship… as we always say, “When we get through it’s just like new”.
Superior Auto Body is a TRUSTED SASKATOON AUTO BODY shop…you will not regret choosing us!
In our latest blog, we share some gravel road safety tips from SGI.
Superior Auto Body Gravel Road Safety Tips
Gravel roads are a part of life in Saskatchewan. They all have 1 thing in common: they can be dangerous.
On average in Saskatchewan, rural municipal and roads on First Nation communities are the scenes of nearly 7,200 crashes each year
. These collisions result in more than 1,000 injuries and 32 deaths annually. You can help protect yourself and your loved ones by following some basic gravel road safety tips.
Slow Down On Gravel Roads
Even the best-maintained gravel roads have rough sections and loose gravel that require lower speeds. Gravel roads without posted limits are 80 km/h zones, although it’s important to remember that this speed is for ideal conditions only.
Your tires are another important reason to slow down. They have less traction on loose gravel, which can increase your
risk of a collision when you accelerate or turn a corner.
To get the most out of your tires, accelerate and brake gradually to avoid skidding. Also, try to avoid swerving to miss animals or objects on the road. Your vehicle may slip or even roll over.
Remain calm if your vehicle begins to skid. Take your foot off the accelerator and declutch or shift into neutral. At the same time, look where you want to go and steer in that direction. Once you have regained control of the vehicle, resume driving at a lower speed.
Stay On The Tracks
When driving on gravel, it’s a good idea to drive in the tire tracks already on the road. This holds true even when there is only 1 set of tracks in the road’s centre.
If you climb a hill or meet a vehicle travelling from the opposite direction, be prepared to slow down and pull over as far to the right as possible. Large trucks or farm implements may even require you to stop.
Be careful when pulling over to the right because you risk slipping into the ditch if your tires go off the packed surface. If you find yourself drifting off the road, don’t slam on the brakes. Slow down gradually and then steer back onto the road.
Back Off
It takes longer to safely stop on gravel roads, and dust can greatly decrease your visibility. Even under the best conditions, it’s best to allow at least 6 seconds of following distance on gravel. If the conditions are less than ideal, you need to leave an even bigger gap between your vehicle and the 1 ahead.
Light It Up
Whether you’re enjoying an afternoon jaunt or making a twilight trip home, your headlights should always be on, especially if you’re driving on gravel. They help other drivers see you sooner than they otherwise might, ensuring you and all your precious cargo make it home safely.
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