Understanding rollovers, the causes and corrections
We often hear about vehicle rollovers and sometimes blame the weather or road conditions. True, they contribute to a rollover, but they won’t cause it completely. There are other factors that can cause a rollover that many drivers need to consider. Let’s begin with the driver’s actions.
A rollover can occur when a vehicle’s tire hits something, such as a high curb or a ditch, and that will shift the vehicle’s weight to one side, causing the vehicle to roll before the driver can regain the balance of the vehicle again. If you speed around a curve or turn too quickly around a corner, the tires can lose traction on the road, causing the vehicle to roll over.
Typical pickup trucks, SUVs, commercial trucks, and full-size vans are narrower and taller than most other vehicles. The way they are designed can make them more likely to be involved in rollovers. This is because they have a higher centre of gravity and become more top-heavy. Also, heavily loaded trucks or cargo vans are also more likely to roll over in the event of a collision.
As a vehicle turns in one direction, the weight of the vehicle shifts to the outside of the corner. As the vehicle straightens up, the weight returns to the centre of the vehicle. If the vehicle turns the other way as the weight is moving back, it can magnify the effect of the centre of gravity shifting, causing a rollover.
For example, on a roundabout, there is typically a rapid change in direction as the vehicle is turning right as it’s going around the roundabout but has to turn left to get off the roundabout. This quick shift in weight transfer can cause a rollover. This is especially true if the vehicle hits a curb or travels too fast through the roundabout.
There are other causes of rollovers that drivers should be made aware of. First, drivers may lose control of their vehicles and drift off the roadway and down a slope. Topheavy vehicles would typically roll over if that does happen.
Falling asleep at the wheel, using a phone, and other distracted driving may cause a driver to lose focus and control by over-compensating for their actions. By hitting a curb or other obstruction in the roadway, it may throw off a vehicle’s centre of gravity. The forward momentum of the vehicle may cause the vehicle to roll over onto its side.
Second, any drivers who may engage in high-speed, risky driving with sudden steering may also cause their vehicle to roll over. This common action may be caused by aggressive driving, including risky maneuvers like taking turns or swerving at a high rate of speed. Sudden actions like this may cause the vehicle to tip over to the side. Overcorrection of your steering can result in a pendulum effect on the vehicle. This may cause the momentum to move from side to side. This type of action may cause a roll, especially of a larger, top-heavy vehicle.
If you lose control of your vehicle, any hard braking or abrupt steering can increase the problem by unbalancing the vehicle and causing it to tip or roll. Do your best to avoid acting out of panic. Remain calm and look ahead to where you want your vehicle to go and attempt to regain control immediately. The longer you wait, the more of a chance the vehicle will continue to get out of control. Attempt to use gradual changes in speed and steering to help you get back to where your vehicle needs to be.
Learn to adjust your driving to the road conditions, especially if you are driving a top-heavy vehicle. Pay attention to the driving environment. That’s the job of any driver.