When approaching a curve at high speed, it is best to
- take your foot off the accelerator before the curve ✓
- brake as you enter the curve
- brake in the middle of the curve
- maintain your speed and hold onto the wheel tightly
Answer: A. take your foot off the accelerator before the curve
Take your foot off the accelerator before the curve so you can slow down before entering it.
Why this is the answer
The handbook explains that inertia pushes your vehicle toward the outside of a curve, and going too fast can send you off the road. Braking in a curve can make you skid. It advises slowing down before the curve and avoiding braking in it, then gently accelerating near the middle once you have control.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. brake as you enter the curve — Braking as you enter the curve is in-curve braking, which the handbook warns can cause a skid.
- C. brake in the middle of the curve — Braking in the middle of the curve still risks a skid; you should set a safe speed before entering so you do not need brakes there.
- D. maintain your speed and hold onto the wheel tightly — Keeping your speed up and gripping the wheel tightly does not reduce inertia; too much speed increases pressure on the outside front tire and can push you off the road.
Remember it
Slow before the bend, not in it.
Official handbook: ICBC Learn to Drive Smart, Chapter 5: see-think-do – Do, p. 71