What can a driver do to minimize the risk of vehicle rollover?
Answer: B — Ensure a low center of gravity
To minimize the risk of vehicle rollover, ensuring a low center of gravity is crucial. A vehicle with a low center of gravity is less likely to tip over, especially during maneuvers such as sharp turns or sudden stops. This is because a lower center of gravity reduces the lateral forces acting on the vehicle, making it more stable and easier to control. In contrast, driving at the highest permissible speed can increase the risk of rollover due to the higher forces involved in turning at such speeds. Maximizing the load on the top of the vehicle raises the center of gravity, which significantly increases the likelihood of a rollover. While using wider tires can provide better traction and stability, it does not directly address the fundamental risk factor of the center of gravity. Therefore, maintaining a low center of gravity is the most effective way to reduce rollover risk.