Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) Law Enforcement Driver Practice Test

Which type of cornering could lead to oversteering if not handled properly?

1. Constant radius

2. Increasing radius

3. Decreasing radius

4. Consistent radius

The correct answer is: Decreasing radius

In cornering scenarios, the type of corner that can lead to oversteering if not managed correctly is the decreasing radius corner. This type of turn starts wide and becomes sharper as the vehicle progresses through the curve. As the driver enters the turn, they may initially apply steering at a certain angle based on their anticipated exit. However, as the radius decreases unexpectedly, the vehicle demands more steering input to maintain the intended trajectory. If the driver fails to adjust by either reducing speed or increasing steering, the rear wheels could lose traction due to the sharper angle, causing the back of the vehicle to swing out. This loss of control at the rear is what is known as oversteering. Proper management through speed adjustments and steering inputs is critical in navigating a decreasing radius corner effectively to prevent this loss of control. In other corner types like constant or increasing radius corners, the trajectory is more predictable and allows for smoother handling without such significant changes in steering requirements as the turn progresses. Therefore, the mechanics of a decreasing radius corner inherently present a greater risk of leading to oversteering when not handled with appropriate adjustments.