11.2 Driving Emergencies, Breakdowns & Tunnels

In any emergency, think clearly and do not panic. You often have only a moment to react, and the right first move can save a life.

Skidding

Handle a skid the same way in front- and rear-wheel-drive vehicles:

1. Slowly take your foot off the gas and shift into neutral.
2. Do not hit the brakes. Braking makes the skid worse.
3. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. If the rear tires slide left, steer left. If they slide right, steer right.
4. You may need to steer left and right a few times before you regain full control.

Running Off the Pavement

• Hold the wheel tightly and slowly take your foot off the gas.
• Gently brake to reduce speed.
• Check for traffic behind you, then steer gently back onto the road.

Flat Tire, Blowout or Lost Wheel

• Grip the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas.
• Brake gently. If you begin to skid, steer in the direction of the skid.
• Gently straighten the car, and do not brake hard until you have control.
• Pull off the road as soon as it is safe.

Brake Failure

Never pump antilock brakes. Your dashboard indicator or owner's manual tells you which type you have.

Stuck Gas Pedal

1. Put the car in neutral and press the brake.
2. Try to free the gas pedal with your foot.
3. If it will not release, brake again.
4. Keep your eyes on the road.
5. When safe, pull off the road and stop.

Vehicle Coming Head-On in Your Lane

Slow down, pull to the right and sound your horn.

Headlight Failure

Turn on your parking lights, emergency flashers or turn signal. Try the headlight switch a few times. Then pull off the road as soon as you can and leave the flashers on.

Stalled on Railroad Tracks

If a train is coming:

• Get everyone out immediately and move as far from the tracks as you can.
• To avoid flying wreckage, run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks, toward the direction the train is coming from, and call 911.

If no train is coming:

• Lower the window or open the door and listen for a train.
• Try to restart the engine. If it will not start, shift to neutral and push the vehicle off the tracks.
• If you cannot move it, call the toll-free Emergency Notification System (ENS) number on the crossbuck or the metal box at the crossing. Give the DOT crossing locator number and say a vehicle is on the tracks. Also call the ENS number to report anything suspicious, such as tampering with switches.

Breakdowns

1. Move the vehicle to the side of the road and stop. Never park on a hill or curve where others cannot see you. If you cannot get off the pavement, get everyone out of the vehicle and off the road.
2. On a highway with a breakdown lane or shoulder, get as far from traffic as you can and stay in the vehicle. Do not stand near the travel lane or in the breakdown lane.
3. Inside the car, turn on the hazard lights (and interior lights at night). Find your safety vest and triangles or LED flares, and put the vest on before getting out.
4. Decide whether it is safe to get out, using the side away from traffic.
5. Tie a white cloth to the antenna or door handle (red when it is snowing) and raise the hood.
6. Place triangles or flares:

The MassDOT Highway Assistance Patrol helps stranded drivers on state highways.

Car Fire

Pull off the road, turn off the ignition and move away from the vehicle. Call the fire department, and do not fight the fire unless you have an extinguisher.

Vehicle in Water

• Unbuckle and escape through a window. Open power windows quickly, before the water disables them.
• Do not open a door. Water rushes in and the vehicle can flip.
• If the car sinks first, climb into the back seat, where an air pocket may form, take a deep breath and escape through a window once the car settles.

Tunnels

The Highway Operations Center monitors most major Massachusetts tunnels.