Magliona: "In the wet the risk of accidents increases: speed is the first cause"

One more pitfall, too often neglected. The wet road was the scene and accomplice of the recent - dramatic, for the consequences - road accidents in Sardinia. An element, something more than a simple detail, which can be decisive and which motorists often tend not to consider when it should be. Omar Magliona, 44, a driver from Sassari, son of art (his father Uccio was equally good), was practically born behind the wheel: he started driving and competing at the age of 4, he won a lot at national level, especially in races in climbed and today moved on to the track. His family owns and manages the Mores racetrack, where safe driving courses have been held since 2007, of which Omar himself is an instructor.

Sweater, why does the road become dangerous in the wet?

“Because it lacks a bit of grip compared to dry conditions, so we need a higher degree of attention. Then, depending on the quantity of water, phenomena such as water planing can occur ”.

We hear very often: what is water planing?

“It is a water buffer that forms between the tire and the road. You sense this because you feel the car float for a moment. It is felt above all on the steering. You don't even have to brake, just reduce the speed a little so that the car regains grip ”.

What is the classic mistake that the motorist makes?

“Hitting the brakes, because at that moment he is panicking, he finds himself in a situation that has never happened to him. Preparation, coldness are determining factors. But it can affect the aspect linked to the grain size of the asphalt. There are asphalts which are slippery in themselves, others are not. Now there is a tendency to use draining asphalts which aim to ensure better grip. As in the highways ".

Other factors involved?

“Much depends on the maintenance conditions of the vehicle, on tire wear. If the tread has a smaller step because it is worn it does not allow the water to flow out and is more subject to water planing. Another subject to water is the low-shoulder one, one of those with 19/20 inches in diameter. This explains why high-performance cars are not used when the weather is bad ”.

In your experience, what are the most common defects for those who drive on the road with a simple license?

“The first is posture. Many have an inadequate driving position, they drive at a distance, in a relaxed manner and it is a factor of greater fatigue during long journeys. If we look at the position of the riders, it is gathered with the arms almost forming a 90 degree angle, because even when turning in a very tight curve, a hairpin for example, you never go with your arms under tension ”.

Is the grip on the steering wheel so important?

"Of course. Another thing that I always remark, once the shift is over, the hands must immediately get back on the steering wheel with the classic position of "nine and a quarter", because the diametrically opposite hands have more strength on the steering wheel. Then the unpredictable is always lurking but the driving course sets you up in what should be natural behavior ”.

Speed is often under fire: is it the main problem?

“I would say yes, speed is a component of risk. A crash at higher speed has totally different consequences. And accidents often happen in straight stretches, where the motorist is more likely to press on the accelerator ”.

Even more often we talk about distraction.

“This is another of the considerations I make in my courses. Why has physical damage to drivers in competitions almost disappeared? Because such is the concentration that you have everything under your eyes. That's why I say that often the concentration is higher in competitions, while on the road it tends to fail. You are distracted by a thousand things that make accidents happen ”.

What is the use of a safe driving course for an ordinary motorist?

“Having a perception of the danger and knowing how to evaluate it in the shortest possible time and drive the vehicle in the best way. We make it clear to the user that you don't play in the car, you can get hurt even at twenty per hour. He has experience, he can transfer it, even if I believe that we should start with road education in elementary schools. At the wheel we are convinced that we are invincible, superheroes, but if we go on a motorbike without even fastening a helmet, perhaps we need to work on the ABCs of road education. And I also believe that traditional driving schools should perhaps be more attentive to the practical discourse than to the pitfalls of theory ”.

If you were to redesign a road or adapt an existing one, how would you do it?

“With barriers everywhere, especially where there are deep bumps, as long as they are well done and not dangerous. The guard rail interrupted to allow passage is the first danger encountered on the road. And it must be said that cars have fortunately made great strides in safety. But let's not forget that their power has reached levels that allow them to quickly reach frightening speeds ”.

So: less speed, more safety.

“But with further reflection. Some roads have exaggerated speed limits: even going too slow where it is not necessary can reduce the driver's attention. That those limits then end up never respecting them ".