Choose the Appropriate Travel Season
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regarding some safety issues of self-driving, a reporter interviewed Mr. Wang, an experienced traveler with over 10 years of self-driving experience. Mr. Wang said that according to information from various media, the accident occurred during the rainy season in the Sichuan-Tibet area. Experienced travelers know that the rainy season runs from June to August each year, and it's best to avoid traveling routes in the Sichuan-Tibet region during this period, as it's very easy to encounter dangers such as mudslides. Mr. Wang suggests that self-driving enthusiasts should choose appropriate travel seasons and routes. In the weather-volatile mountainous regions of Southwest China, if there is sudden rainfall upstream, downstream areas can quickly experience rising water levels, or even sudden and extremely forceful “wall-like floods” (a local Sichuan term), which can easily result in being swept away by floodwaters. He believes that if the driver of the missing vehicle had stopped the car in place upon seeing the rising water and waited for rescue, the risk of danger would have been reduced.
Slowly Roll Down Windows and Look for Light if Your Car Falls into Water
As the saying goes: fear mountains, but fear water even more. Mr. Wang explained that among all possible dangers during a self-driving trip, water is the most likely to cause fatal accidents. If your vehicle accidentally falls into water while driving, knowing the correct response can significantly increase your chances of escape. The principle is: if your car falls into water, slowly roll down windows and look for light.
After falling into the water, do not rush to roll down the windows or open the doors to escape. Try to stay calm. The driver should use the precious time before the car is fully submerged to calm their nerves, assess the direction of the water surface. Generally, the direction where you see light is the direction of the surface. If you feel the vehicle sinking, first pull up the door lock, release the seatbelt, press your face as close to the top of the car as possible to ensure enough air, and wait for the water to slowly seep in through the gaps in the car. Once the water pressure inside and outside the vehicle equalizes, call for everyone to take a deep breath, then open the doors and escape.
Stay Calm and Tap Brakes Gently if a Tire Blows Out at High Speed
Mr. Wang explained that during a self-driving trip, a tire blowout can easily lead to serious accidents, especially on highways, where it is particularly dangerous. As highways are usually an indispensable part of self-driving tours, it’s important to be prepared for blowouts on them. Comparatively, a blowout in the front tire is far more dangerous than one in the rear, so extra caution is needed with front tires. No matter which tire blows out, stay calm and never slam on the brakes. Instead, grip the steering wheel firmly to keep the vehicle moving straight. At the same time, gently tap the brakes to gradually reduce speed and slowly pull over to the right side of the road.
Pull the Handbrake Gently and Shift Down Quickly if Brakes Fail
During a self-driving trip, since most travelers choose mountain roads or remote trails, poor road conditions can easily lead to brake failure. Mr. Wang stated that after brake failure, when using the handbrake, control must be proper—never yank it hard. A sudden pull on the handbrake can lock the rear wheels, causing the car to become uncontrollable. The correct method is to gradually pull up the handbrake lever, tightening and loosening it several times in succession to slow the vehicle down until it stops. For manual transmission vehicles, engine braking by downshifting can help reduce speed and stop. Typically, you'd shift directly into second gear, then release the throttle and lift the clutch. Once you feel a strong braking effect, you can then try shifting into first gear. You can also turn off the engine and use engine compression to bring the vehicle to a stop. Mr. Wang emphasized that once brakes fail while driving, passengers must never blindly jump from the vehicle. On downhill sections where brakes fail, if necessary, you can sideswipe the vehicle against a hillside to slow down.
Finally, Mr. Wang suggested that those who enjoy self-driving trips consider purchasing travel accident insurance and/or self-driving tour insurance before setting out.
Article source: Panyu Daily