Best Practice use of Cruise Control
Don’t Cruise When Tired
When you are tired or suffering from fatigue you are already reacting slower than normal to what is happening around you. When you engage cruise control mentally you are distancing yourself from what you need to do most “Hazard Identification”
Only Cruise On The Straight
Driving safely on corners requires a great deal of skill relating to braking and accelerating. It is therefore not appropriate – and highly dangerous – to use cruise control on winding roads. Instead, the system should only be used on long, straight journeys.
Take Over The Controls In Traffic
Cruise control must not be used on roads with heavy traffic where it is likely that you will need to adjust your speed regularly.
Don’t Cruise Up Or Down Hill
Cruise control on hills is hazardous. When driving on hills it is best to control your speed using the accelerator, brake or gears. This is because cruise control may not control speed safely making it move dangerous. It is much safer to control speed manually in these conditions.
Stick To A Safe Speed
You must only engage the cruise control system when travelling at a safe speed. Usually, the system can only be operated at speeds over approximately 50 kph, but you should make sure that the speed you set does not exceed the legal speed limit and is appropriate for the conditions.
Stay Alert
When using cruise control you need to remember that you are still in control of the vehicle’s steering and braking. A false sense of security can lead to lack of attention and collisions.
Make sure to:
- Stay alert.
- Keep your brain engaged in driving.
- Scan the road ahead for hazards.
Cancel When Not In Use
Turn cruise control off completely when not in use rather than simply disengaging the system with the brakes. This will prevent you from re-engaging the system by accident.
Don’t Rest Your Foot
During cruise control your foot is able to take a rest from operating the accelerator – but you must keep it ready for use. Don’t allow your leg to move far from the pedal as you may need to take over the controls suddenly.
Watch The Weather
Don’t use cruise control when the road is wet or slippery. If your wheels begin to skid while the system is maintaining the acceleration of your vehicle this could cause you to lose wheel traction and control of the vehicle. If you do step on the brake or deactivate cruise control the change in speed could also cause the wheels to slip and skid out of control.