Driving Emergencies

Question 1

safe handling of driving emergencies such as blowouts, brake failure, a stuck gas pedal or near misses with other vehicles (requires knowledge and skills)

Answer 1

vehicle features and operating procedures vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. your vehicle owner’s manual is the best source of information on mechanical system failures

Question 2

brake fails :
- try pumping the brake pedal, if does not respond still;
= use emergency parking brake
= if possible, shift to a lower gear. to prevent wear on brakes, use a lower gear when driving downhill for ling stretches
= never place vehicle into “park”

Answer 2

wet brakes :

• test brakes after driving through deep water; may pull to one side or no hold at all
• to dry brakes, put car in low gear, drive slowly and lightly apply the brakes
• test them about every 200 feet, continuing until braking actions returns to normal

Question 3

windshield wipers fail :

• if wipers fail in heavy rain or snow; slow down, lower window and put head outside so you can see
• if possible, move your car off highway to the right and stop as soon as possible

Answer 3

accelerator (gas pedals) sticks :
quickly press your foot hard against the pedal and release. this may free or release the pedal. if not;
- shift to neutral
- apply the brakes
- pull off highway to right (if possible) and stop
- never place vehicle into “park”

Question 4

headlights fail :
slow down and pull off the roadway as soon as you can. when failed; parking lights, turn signals or four-way flashers will usually still work and can be used to guide you safely to side of road

Answer 4

fire :

• if smoke under hood, slow down, pull off the road and turn off ignition immediately
• use extreme caution when opening engine hood
• if do not have chemical fire extinguisher, can smother fire by using sand or dirt
• DO NOT USE WATER, burning gasoline will float on water and spread fire
• if no way to stop or gets out of control, move well away (at least 100 ft) from vehicle

Question 5

steering fails :

• if suddenly lose control of steering, ease up on accelerator
• if car continues to hold lane, slow down and then gently apply the brakes; use four-way flashers to warn other drivers
• if vehicle heads off road if toward another vehicle or pedestrian, apply the brakes quickly using maximum pressure

Answer 5

oncoming vehicles in your lane :

• if see vehicle coming towards you in your lane; slow down, sound your horn, flash headlights and pull as far to the right as you can
• do not swing into lane the approaching vehicle has left because the other driver may suddenly realize his or her mistake and turn back into the proper lane

Question 6

running off the pavement :
running off highway can result in extremely serious single-vehicle crash. (driver fatigue, inattention and speeding)
- if vehicle drifts into shoulder or forced off road; stay; stay calm, take your foot off accelerator, if brake, do so carefully
- grip steering wheel firmly
- do not try swerving back onto pavement; instead, stay on shoulder until you have vehicle completely under control and gently ease back onto road

Answer 6

blowouts
when a tire suddenly loses air can throw vehicle out of control
safe recovery :
- grip steering wheel firmly
- ease up on gas pedal to slow down, do not hit brakes
- look for safe place to pull iff and signal your intent to move off highway
- when certain your vehicle is under control, and slowed down, gently use brakes to stop
- make sure your vehicle os safely off roadway and use parking lights of flashers to warn other driverz

Question 7

flooded engine :

• do not pump gas pedal; instead press pedal to floor, and run the starter steadily fir short intervals (10-15 seconds)
• when engine starts, release gas pedal

Answer 7

disabled vehicle :

• if possible, get all four wheels off roadway
• use parking lights, flashers or flares to warn other drivers
• have vehicle towed as soon as possible