Hey I've updated the game at driftfever.com to stop the car changing colour at each stage. I've also improved the drifting dynamic so it feels less like a turn and more like a drift.
To answer your question, the sides gradually drain a bar if you get close to them, but you die instantly if you hit the edge. Maybe that's something I could revise but from what I've seen the most popular games are pretty difficult with a real challenge.
Would love your thoughts on the updated version. I'll post the new version to itch tomorrow.