Fig. 124 General example: exit through the side of the vehicle that is facing uphill.
Driving at an angle on a hill is dangerous when driving off-road ⇒
Before driving, always check if there are other safer routes available.
If you must drive at an angled position:
.
The vehicle’s center of gravity should be as low as possible. Larger or heavier individuals should sit on the more elevated side of the vehicle. Luggage on the
roof should be removed and heavy objects should be secured, because the vehicle could tip over due to objects suddenly sliding out of place ⇒
.
The ground must be as firm as possible. The vehicle can skid sideways and tip over more easily on slippery or soft ground. Always make sure the angle will no
become too large from bumps in the road. The vehicle can tip and roll over when the tilt angle is too large.
If the vehicle is positioned at a high angle, the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never drive over depressions or dips in the ground. The wheels on
the higher side of the vehicle must never drive over elevated objects, such as stones, tree trunks, or other obstacles.
If it seems the vehicle is about to tip, immediately steer toward the downhill direction and accelerate lightly fig. 123. If it is not possible to steer downhill, steer
uphill and accelerate lightly.
WARNING
Never attempt to drive at an angle on a hill, especially if the hill is too steep for the vehicle. A vehicle can skid, tip, or roll over when positioned sideways to a hill.
To reduce the risk of accidents and serious injuries, observe the following:
Never underestimate the risks and dangers of driving at an angle on a hill. Never choose unsafe routes or undertake a risk that would put you and your
passengers in danger. If there are doubts about the safety of the route, turn around and choose a different route.
When driving at an angle on a hill, the vehicle can lose hold, slide to the side, tip, or flip over and roll down the hill.
Never let the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle drive through depressions or dips in the ground. Never let the wheels on the higher side of the
vehicle drive over elevated objects, such as stones, tree trunks, or other obstacles.
Before driving at an angle on a hill, make sure that you can steer toward the fall line. If that is not possible, choose another path. If it seems the vehicle is
about to tip, immediately steer toward the downhill direction and accelerate lightly fig. 123.
If the vehicle is on a hill with a steep sideways tendency, avoid abrupt and dramatic movements in the vehicle. This can cause the vehicle to lose hold,
slide to the side, tip, or flip over and roll down the hill.
If the vehicle is stopped at a side angle on a hill, a person must never exit the vehicle through the doors that are facing downhill. This can cause the total
center of gravity to shift to the side. The vehicle could tip or flip over and roll down the hill. To reduce the risk of this happening, always exit the vehicle
carefully on the side facing uphill fig. 123.
When exiting the vehicle, ensure that the upwards opening door does not shut and cause injury due to its own weight or passenger inattention.
Driving through ditches
Refer to ⇒
and Safety precautions for driving off-road.
1. Check if the slope and tilt angle is small enough to drive over the ditch with the vehicle. The tilt angle must not be too large when driving through the ditch
⇒
.
2. Find a suitable point to drive through the ditch.
3. If possible, cross the ditch at a sharp angle ⇒
.
WARNING
If the slope and tilt angle is too steep for the vehicle and the ditch is too deep, the vehicle could tip, slide away and roll over.
Do not attempt to drive across a ditch if the ramp angle or tilt angle is too steep and the ditch is too deep for the vehicle.
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