How should you safely enter a curve?

• A. Brake hard in the curve.
• B. Turn sharply and then accelerate.
• C. Slow before the curve, maintain steady steering, and avoid braking hard in the curve.
• D. Speed up to clear the curve quickly.

Answer: (C)

When you approach a curve, slow down before you reach it, and then hold a steady, smooth steering path through the curve. Braking hard while you’re in the curve reduces traction and can cause you to lose control or skid. Smooth, gradual braking before the curve keeps the tires’ grip available for the turn, making it easier to follow the road’s arc. Keeping the steering steady helps you maintain the intended line and stay in your lane as you follow the curve’s radius. You should look through to the exit and prepare to accelerate after you pass the curve’s apex, not during it.

The other approaches undermine stability: braking hard in the curve crowds out traction and can lead to a skid; turning sharply and then accelerating disrupts your path and increases the chance of crossing into another lane; speeding up to clear the curve reduces your reaction time and makes it harder to handle the exit safely.