Most drivers theoretically know how to respond should they find themselves in a dangerous skid or even start to spin out of control. But as anyone who has been in an accident says, it can happen in the blink of an eye and split-second reactions are needed to avoid an unfavourable end result and heart wrenching phone call to loved ones.
Defensive driving can prevent potential collisions, irrespective of the incorrect actions of other road users in various weather, road and traffic conditions. By this principle, it is important to have sufficient knowledge and not simply watch a Youtube video on how to do it.
Renault South Africa invited the Gumtree Autos team to join them at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria for a Skidpan Experience day and there was plenty to be taken away from the day. The insights shared regarding road safety and the safety features the vehicles come equipped with were well illustrated and stood out.
Important lessons
Keshav Singh, Sales Operation Analyst at Gumtree, says: "Having previously driven an earlier model Renault Kwid as a rental and read up many positive & negative reviews, I was interested in having an experience in the newest entry level Renault vehicles and learning more about what these vehicles have to offer directly from the horse's mouth."
The first demo of the day was the deployment of an airbag. The team illustrated the mechanics behind how an airbag works. The airbag is inflated through an explosion which is what causes it to fill up within a split second and protect the occupants. The Renault team coupled this well with the equal importance of wearing a seatbelt while driving, as the two safety features work together. Relying on an airbag solely for safety without wearing a seatbelt can result in a serious injury or even be fatal.
Defensive driving can prevent potential collisions, irrespective of the incorrect actions of other road users in various weather, road and traffic conditions. By this principle, it is important to have sufficient knowledge and not simply watch a Youtube video on how to do it.
Renault South Africa invited the Gumtree Autos team to join them at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria for a Skidpan Experience day and there was plenty to be taken away from the day. The insights shared regarding road safety and the safety features the vehicles come equipped with were well illustrated and stood out.
Important lessons
Keshav Singh, Sales Operation Analyst at Gumtree, says: "Having previously driven an earlier model Renault Kwid as a rental and read up many positive & negative reviews, I was interested in having an experience in the newest entry level Renault vehicles and learning more about what these vehicles have to offer directly from the horse's mouth."
The first demo of the day was the deployment of an airbag. The team illustrated the mechanics behind how an airbag works. The airbag is inflated through an explosion which is what causes it to fill up within a split second and protect the occupants. The Renault team coupled this well with the equal importance of wearing a seatbelt while driving, as the two safety features work together. Relying on an airbag solely for safety without wearing a seatbelt can result in a serious injury or even be fatal.
Click on the links below to see what we got up to:
Renault Kwid in the wet
Tackling the Skidpan course
The team then explained the importance of ABS & EBD braking systems. In the early 2000's, a vehicle fitted with anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and airbags as the most important features to add as extras. These safety features are somewhat out of sight and out of mind a couple of decades later. The most prominent features are infotainment systems, branded sound systems, and voice control functionality.
Renault took us through the importance of features such as ABS/EBD, and how these are potentially life-saving in extreme driving circumstances. Suppose you were to slam on a vehicle's brakes without ABS/EBD and attempt to swerve on the road to avoid a child crossing the road or a vehicle ahead that stops without much warning.
There's a high probability of an accident. The introduction of ABS & EBD on Renault's entry-level vehicles highlights the importance the company places on vehicle safety. The ABS & EBD allows a driver to apply brakes and swerve without losing control of the vehicle even in adverse weather conditions, as tested on the skidpan.
Our lives can often get very fast-paced and things like a driving refresher course is the last thing that gets prioritised. Even so and with that being said, it is always a good thing to know as a driver and possibly even lower insurance premiums.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android), and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local automotive vehicle information close to home.
