Positioning on bends

Position: Take care over your position on the bend. Good positioning will help to maximise your view of the road ahead, as well as offering increased stability as you turn.

Speed:  Adjust your speed accordingly for the bend. Try to identify the “limit point” - the furthest point in the distance at which the road disappears from view. Keep slowing down as the limit point gets closer to you. One its position becomes constant you have found the right speed.

Look: As early as you can, try to see around and past the bend. Some bends have a badly obstructed view. Many, however, offer a good view if you turn your head a little and look beyond what’s immediately in front of you. 

Left Bend

On approach to the bend, after checking it is safe, move towards the centre of the road and position next to the centre line. If there is no centre line you will have to imagine where it would be if it were present. Be careful not to cross onto the other side of the road. As you exit the bend, move back towards the left. 

As well as making the turn easier to complete, positioning towards the right on approach will provide the optimum view of the road ahead as you enter the bend. However, be aware that the position of oncoming traffic may conflict with yours. If you see someone coming towards you who is cutting the corner, you will need to move back towards the left.

For many drivers, the most instinctive thing to do when taking a right bend is to cut the corner. However, this is the opposite of what should be done. For the right bend, you should position well to the left, as in normal driving. 

Positioning to the left will maximise your view of the road ahead. It will also make the turn more gradual and therefore easier. Finally, it will help to keep you clear of anyone traveling in the opposite direction who should (if doing the bend correctly) be positioned towards the centre of the road.

Gears

As always, match your gear to your speed. As you enter the bend, you should be fully prepared. Therefore, you should adjust your speed and select the most appropriate gear before beginning to turn. Remember that lower gears offer more control at slower speeds.