If you are driving too fast towards a brick wall, to avoid hitting it, should you turn left in a circular arc or steer straight towards the wall while fully applying the breaks. Why? Thank you!

Question

osprey · Answer

This seems like a "handbrake turn" application. I've never actually done one, but it's a combination of steering, and braking. You want to avoid hitting the wall. So, you brake with everything the car's got. The friction of the front wheels on the road as you steer left is a braking mechanism, taking you out of the head on collision path. It also serves to guide the car away from the all. Putting the handbrake on increases the slowing down. And using the foot brake does a similar thing. If you get it right, then you've got a tv/film stunt, BUT I WOULD NOT TRY IT. It' a great pile of noise, and smoke as the tyres start to burn under the friction of the locked tyres on the road. If you get it wrong, then the car could overturn - missed the wall, but over turned the car ... hmmm bad, bad, bad deal. The problem with just braking is that unless you KNOW that you can apply enough braking force to stop before the wall, then you may achieve a reduced speed impact. But, your car has quite a bit of mass, and the collision wouldn't be good at all. Fascinating question, but very dangerous subject. The only place I'd test it out would be on a controlled skid pan with an expert and probably dual controls in the car. Other than that NO. http://perendis.webs.com Bon voyage

irishboy123 · Answer

clarification: what is on the car radio at the time?

basicallyautumn · Answer

@osprey thank you so much!