Shock absorbers and safety as worn parts endanger life on the road

Road safety has become one of the major concerns of modern societies. Every year, the number of vehicles on the roads increases, and with it the number of accidents, resulting in a high number of casualties. In 2023, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.19 million people will die as a result of road accidents. These alarming figures underline the importance of global efforts to ensure road safety and push for improved vehicle maintenance.

One of the key factors affecting road safety is the condition of the vehicle. Regular maintenance helps prevent faults that could cause an accident. This is particularly important in regions with harsh weather conditions, such as York. Here, winter weather conditions create additional challenges for drivers, making the roads more dangerous. However, many vehicle owners ignore important components of their vehicles, such as shock absorbers, which are an indispensable element in ensuring safe driving.

Why the condition of shock absorbers is critical for road safety

The role of shock absorbers in road safety, also called struts, is part of the suspension system of a vehicle. Their main function is to reduce vibrations and shocks when driving on uneven surfaces. They control the vehicle’s vibrations, which allows the tyres to remain in constant contact with the road. This improves the car’s handling and cornering stability and reduces the risk of losing control of the car.

Worn shock absorbers can lead to a number of problems such as excessive vibration and bouncing of the car, poor handling, and increased braking distances. Poorly performing shock absorbers are particularly dangerous on slippery or icy roads, as they make it difficult to manoeuvre smoothly and can provoke a loss of grip.

In York, according to local statistics for 2020, there was an average of 286 road accidents every day. These accidents killed three people a day and 168 people were injured every day. Many of these incidents could have been avoided with regular vehicle maintenance, including checking the suspension system and shock absorbers.

Consequences of faulty shock absorbers

Ignoring the condition of shock absorbers can have serious consequences, especially in heavy traffic and bad weather conditions. Improperly functioning shock absorbers impair vehicle handling, increase braking distances, cause uneven tyre wear and can cause serious accidents. Here are some of the most serious consequences of worn shock absorbers:

1. Poor vehicle handling: worn shock absorbers make it difficult to control the vehicle, especially when cornering and manoeuvring sharply. This is especially dangerous on wet and icy roads when vehicle control and traction are critical.
2. Increased braking distance: shock absorbers play an important role in the braking system as they help keep the tyres in contact with the road. Worn shock absorbers increase stopping distances as they cannot absorb the energy from sudden stops effectively. This can lead to a dangerous situation where the car fails to stop in time, which is especially critical in emergency situations.
3. Uneven tyre wear : faulty shock absorbers contribute to uneven tyre wear, resulting in additional costs for premature tyre replacement and reduced tyre performance. In addition, uneven tyre wear increases the risk of tyre blowouts on the road, which can cause accidents.
4. Increased risk of accidents: Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that many accidents are related to vehicle maintenance problems. This includes worn suspension parts such as shock absorbers.

Signs of defective shock absorbers

Knowing the signs of faulty shock absorbers can help the driver take action in time and avoid accidents. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for:

• Excessive bouncing: if the car continues to bounce after hitting a bump, it could indicate problems with the shock absorbers.
• Poor handling: if the car leans when cornering or slides when changing lanes, this could also indicate a problem with the shock absorbers.
• Suspension squeaks or knocks: strange noises from the suspension may be due to wear on the shock absorbers or other suspension components.

Recommendations for shock absorber replacement

Professionals recommend replacing the shock absorbers approximately every 50,000 miles, but this figure can vary depending on vehicle model, operating conditions and driving style. To keep your suspension in good condition, it’s worth having regular maintenance checks and keeping an eye on the condition of all suspension components. This will not only protect the driver and passengers, but also prevent costly repairs.

In addition, it should be remembered that the installation of shock absorbers should be carried out by professionals. A qualified mechanic will ensure proper installation and adjustment, which is critical to the proper functioning of the suspension system. It’s also worth paying attention to the quality of the parts: not all shock absorbers are the same, and higher quality components tend to last longer and provide better performance.

Conclusion

Shock absorbers play an important role in road safety. In heavy traffic and severe weather conditions, such as in York, their condition is critical to the stability and handling of your vehicle. Regularly checking and replacing your shock absorbers on time will not only increase the life of your vehicle but will also help prevent accidents.