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My car suddenly veered off the road and crashed - any idea why?
I was driving my one-year old Audi A3 at about 40mph on a rural road near my home when the car suddenly veered to the right, crossed the road, knocked down a telegraph pole and fell into a deep ditch. The drivers of two following cars told the police they had not seen anything untoward in the car’s behaviour prior to the accident. Fortunately no one was injured but I was given various tests and examinations by the police, ambulance crew and A&E in Macclesfield but no health problems were diagnosed.
The cause remains a mystery. I cannot recall feeling anything through the steering wheel nor reacting to any unexpected movement of the car. At that date there were patches of poor tarmac evident but I cannot say whether or not they affected the steering.
The cause remains a mystery. I cannot recall feeling anything through the steering wheel nor reacting to any unexpected movement of the car. At that date there were patches of poor tarmac evident but I cannot say whether or not they affected the steering.
Asked on 29 September 2012 by GR, Alderley Edge
Answered by
Honest John
What can happen is that a sudden undulation in the road surface upsets the Electronic Stability Programme, the driver reacts and the ESP counter-reacts. But that would definitely be felt through the steering wheel and, despite the notorious ESP brake pressure sensor fault, I have not heard of any such problems with VAG cars.
Alternatively it's possible you hit an undulation and a patch of diesel oil at the same time, which chucked you off the road. Diesel spills kill around 100 motorcyclists a year so all drivers should be careful not to over brim diesel tanks when filling up. Finally, it is also possible that tyres were changed and/or suspension realigned without resetting the steering angle sensor. If this is not done it can send false messages to the ESP with potentially disastrous consequences.
Alternatively it's possible you hit an undulation and a patch of diesel oil at the same time, which chucked you off the road. Diesel spills kill around 100 motorcyclists a year so all drivers should be careful not to over brim diesel tanks when filling up. Finally, it is also possible that tyres were changed and/or suspension realigned without resetting the steering angle sensor. If this is not done it can send false messages to the ESP with potentially disastrous consequences.
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