rearend

Emergency braking and emergency lights are words that, by pure common sense, we could understand that one always goes together with the other. So much so that not only in Spain have we assimilated that the way to act in a traffic jam is to activate them almost immediately, manufacturers have also been incorporating it into the latest models. However, the DGT through the General Traffic Regulations It continues to ask us to act in a slightly different way and that, directly, has become somewhat obsolete. better than the warning…with your hand? Rear-end accidents are one of the most common types of crashes on Spanish roads, especially now that summer is coming and trips are multiplying. Although there is no official data that segments this type of accident, claims and insurance experts estimate in 5% of total crashes those that occur by reach. These are usually accidents with low mortality rates but those who suffer them can be seriously injured. whiplash that usually causes problems over time if they do not heal well. Rear-end accidents are not usually a big problem in terms of mortality rates, but they can cause serious damage to our cars. And although without sufficient safety distance it is difficult to avoid them, drivers have assimilated a way of acting to reduce them. The most common thing in this type of situation in which we find a traffic jam in front of us is that we brake with a certain force and immediately the hand goes to the emergency button (a problem in cars where the emergency button warning is on the ceiling). That is, we activate the signal while braking. However, in the General Traffic Regulations, article 109 c) reads the following: “The intention to immobilize the vehicle or to brake its progress significantly, even when such events are imposed by traffic circumstances, must be warned, whenever possible, by repeatedly using the brake lights or by moving the arm alternately up and down with short and rapid movements.” And then it is pointed out that: When the immobilization takes place on a highway or highway, or in places or circumstances that significantly reduce visibility, the presence of the vehicle must be signaled by using the emergency light, if available, and, where appropriate, with the position lights. That is, according to the DGT we must issue warnings using the brake lights or by putting our hand out the window (less advisable if we have to make an unexpected dodging movement). And we will only turn on the emergency lights if we are immobilized. Colleagues explain Motorpassion that technically the DGT cannot fine us for using the emergency lights to signal a traffic jam before stopping and, in truth, it is difficult for us to think that a traffic officer would fine us for it in those circumstances. The wording made in the General Traffic Regulations is marked by the type of vehicle that was driven many years ago and it has no meaning since ABS (invented in 1978 by Mercedes and mandatory in every European car since 2004, although most already had it) is the norm. If a driver drives a car without ABS, the car will lock the wheels under heavy braking and it is easy to lose control. ABS prevents this from happening by relieving the brake pressure slightly even if we press it fully to allow the wheels to turn slightly and not lock. The only way to act emergency braking in a car without ABS is to do this same thing. You press the brake hard and then lift it very slightly and press it again. The action is repeated as many times as necessary, hence the wording of article 109 of the General Traffic Regulations. Since cars have this system, this way of acting is unnecessary and even dangerous because it will be the car that acts for us. But in addition, many of today’s cars already automatically activate the warning if we apply enough force on the brake pedal. This function is also deactivated if our intervention when the foot is lifted from the brake. Photo | Mark Stuckey and Samuel Girven In Xataka | There is no new rule that prevents driving in the left lane: the DGT already punishes it with a 200 euro fine