14.2 Driving Emergencies: Skids, Running Off the Road, Blowouts, Brake & Pedal Failures
Key Takeaways
To recover from a skid, Massachusetts drivers ease off the gas, shift to neutral, avoid braking and steer in the direction the rear wheels are sliding.
After running onto the shoulder, a driver should hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, brake gently, check traffic and steer gently back onto the road.
If antilock brakes fail, the driver downshifts, gently applies the parking brake while holding the release, and uses the horn and lights to warn others; only non-ABS brakes should be pumped.
For a stuck gas pedal, the driver shifts to neutral, brakes, tries to free the pedal and pulls off the road when safe.
If headlights fail, the driver turns on parking lights, flashers or a turn signal, tries the headlight switch, and leaves the road with the flashers on.
"In any emergency situation, it is very important to think clearly and don't panic. You often have only a short time to react." The Manual's procedures are short and specific, and the exam tests their exact steps.
Skidding
Handle a skid the same way in front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles:
- Slowly take your foot off the gas and shift into neutral.
- Don't hit the brakes. Braking makes the skid worse.
- Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. If the rear tires are skidding left, steer left; if they slide right, steer right.
- You may need to steer left and right a few times before the car is fully under control.
The winter driving section adds: never lock your brakes on ice, because you will lose steering control (section 5.3).
Tip
"Steer in the direction of the skid" means steer the way the rear of the car is sliding. Point the front where the back is going, so the vehicle lines back up.
Running Off the Pavement
If your wheels leave the pavement onto the shoulder:
- Hold the steering wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas.
- Brake gently to slow down.
- Check for traffic behind you, then steer gently back onto the road.
The danger is overcorrecting: a sharp jerk back onto the pavement at speed can send the car across the road. Slow down first, then return gently.
Flat Tire, Blowout or Wheel Loss
- Grip the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas.
- Brake gently.
- If you begin to skid, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid.
- Gently straighten the car. Don't use the brake until the vehicle is under control.
- Pull off the road as soon as it is safe.
Brake Failure
| Brake type | What to do |
|---|---|
| Antilock (ABS), pedal fully pressed but no response | Downshift to a lower gear, working down to the lowest if needed. Apply the parking brake gently, holding the release in case the vehicle starts to skid. If you still can't slow, sound the horn and flash the lights to warn others |
| Non-antilock | Pump the brake pedal several times rapidly to build up brake fluid pressure. If that fails, follow the steps above |
Do not pump antilock brakes. Check your dashboard indicator or the owner's manual to learn which type you have. The defensive driving section gives the same rule: never pump ABS (section 5.1).
Stuck Gas Pedal
- Shift into neutral and press the brake to slow down.
- Try to free the gas pedal with your foot.
- If it won't release, brake again.
- Keep your eyes on the road.
- When safe, pull to the side of the road and stop.
Vehicle Approaching Head On
If a vehicle is coming toward you in your lane:
- slow down and pull to the right;
- sound your horn to alert the other driver.
Headlight Failure
If your headlights suddenly go out:
- Turn on your parking lights, emergency flashers or turn signal.
- Try the headlight switch a few times.
- Pull off the road as soon as possible and leave the flashers on.
Quick-Reference Matrix
| Emergency | Gas | Brakes | Steering | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skid | Ease off; neutral | None | In the direction of the skid; may need several corrections | — |
| Off the pavement | Ease off | Gentle | Firm grip; check traffic; ease back on | — |
| Blowout | Ease off | Gentle, then none until under control | Firm grip; steer into any skid; straighten | Leave the road when safe |
| ABS failure | — | Downshift; gentle parking brake, holding the release | — | Horn and lights |
| Non-ABS failure | — | Pump rapidly; then the ABS steps | — | — |
| Stuck accelerator | Neutral; try to free the pedal | Brake | Eyes on the road | Pull over and stop |
| Head-on threat | Slow | — | Pull right | Horn |
| Headlights out | — | — | — | Parking lights or flashers; try the switch; leave the road |
Preparing Students for Emergencies
- Talk through each procedure in the classroom and in the car, so students can say the steps out loud before they ever need them.
- Know your vehicle. Show students the ABS indicator and parking-brake release in the lesson car, and explain how an electric parking brake works.
- Recommend skills training. A driver skills development program teaches emergency braking, corrective steering and evasive maneuvers on a closed course. Completing one also cuts the JOL supervised-driving requirement from 40 hours to 30 (section 3.1).
A student's car begins to skid and the rear tires slide to the left. Which response matches the Manual?
Pump the brakes rapidly and hold the wheel straight
Accelerate gently and steer right to bring the rear back
Ease off the gas, shift into neutral, avoid the brakes and steer to the left
Brake firmly, keep the car in drive and steer to the right
A driver presses the pedal of an antilock brake system fully but the brakes do not respond. What should the driver do?
Downshift and gently use the parking brake
Shift into reverse to slow the wheels
Turn off the ignition so the engine stops pushing the car
Pump the brake pedal rapidly to build up fluid pressure
A vehicle's accelerator sticks while driving. What is the Manual's first step?
Steer onto the shoulder at speed and then brake hard
Pump the accelerator to unstick it while holding speed
Turn off the ignition and take out the key
Shift into neutral and press the brake to slow down
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.