EMERGENCY MANEUVERS

When driving on the road, there may be situations that require you to make sudden and unexpected maneuvers to avoid accidents or imminent dangers. Emergency maneuvers involve quick and efficient actions to keep yourself and others safe. Here are some important aspects to consider regarding emergency maneuvers:

Evasive Maneuvers

Evasive maneuvers are critical for getting out of dangerous situations on the road. These maneuvers often involve quick turns and adjustments to avoid collisions. Some skills you should learn for evasive driving include making J-turns and U-turns, which are addressed in Unit 8.

Brake Failure

If you experience brake failure while driving, follow these steps:

1. Pump the Brake: Try pumping the brake pedal to see if you can temporarily restore hydraulic brake pressure.
2. Apply the Parking Brake: If pumping the brake doesn’t work, apply the parking brake (handbrake) gently but firmly while holding the release button.
3. Stop Safely: If you manage to slow down or stop, do not attempt to drive again. Call for assistance from a mechanic. Total brake failure is rare on modern vehicles.

Tire Blowouts

If you experience a tire blowout while driving, follow these steps:

1. Maintain Control: Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel to maintain control of the vehicle.
2. Don’t Slam the Brakes: Do not slam on the brakes, as this can lead to loss of control. Let your car slow down gradually.
3. Pull to the Side: Once you’ve slowed down to a safe speed, pull your vehicle to the side of the road.
4. Activate Hazard Lights: Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you have a problem.

Going Off the Pavement

If your vehicle’s wheel goes off the pavement, follow these steps:

1. Maintain Control: Hold the steering wheel firmly to maintain control of the vehicle.
2. Ease Off the Accelerator: Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to slow down. Avoid heavy braking.
3. Steer Back On: When the vehicle is under control, steer it back onto the pavement.

Headlights Failure

If your headlights go off while driving, follow these steps:

1. Check the Switch: Immediately check the headlight switch to ensure it’s in the correct position.
2. Pull Over Safely: If the lights remain off, keep to the left and bring your vehicle to a safe stop off the road. Driving at night without lights is dangerous and illegal.

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is a safe and cautious driving approach, especially in environments that could pose danger. It goes beyond knowing the rules of the road and basic mechanical skills and is typically taught to experienced drivers. Here’s why defensive driving is important:

• It prepares you to avoid accidents and provide protection for yourself and passengers.
• It can save lives in dangerous situations.
• It helps you save money by reducing vehicle wear and tear and avoiding unexpected damage.
• It equips you to handle adverse driving conditions.

Defensive driving techniques include:

• Improved observation, anticipation, and awareness, consistent with your driving speed.
• Sound judgment of speed and distance.
• Avoiding driving when tired and ensuring you’re well-rested before a journey.

Defensive driving is particularly important in adverse weather conditions (e.g., rain, fog, wind) and on challenging road surfaces (e.g., rough terrain, wet or sloping surfaces). By applying defensive driving techniques, you can enhance your safety and that of others on the road.