0
Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lamps are not flashing,
it
may be
slowing
down or starting to
turn,
0
If
you're
being passed, make
it
easv
for
the following driver
to
get
ahead
of
you.
Perhaps
you
can easi
a
little
to
the right.
LOSS
OF
CONTROL
Let's review
what
driving experts
sav
about
what
happens when the three
control svstems (brakes, steering an> acceleration)
don't
have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In
any
emergency, don't
give
up.
Keep trying to steer
and
constantly seek
an
escape
route
or
area
of
less
danger.
In
a
skid,
a
driver can
lose
control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids
by
taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by
not "overdriving" those conditions.
But
skids are always possible.
The
three types of skids correspond
to
your Cadillac's three control
systems.
In
the
braking skid your wheels aren't rolling. In
the
steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering
in
a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And
in
the
acceleration skid too much throttle
causes
the
driving wheels to spin.
A
cornering
skid
is best handled
by
easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only the acceleration skid.
If your traction control system
is
off?
then
an acceleration
skid
is also best
handled by easing your
foot
off
the accelerator pedal.
If
your vehicle starts
to
slide, ease your foot
off
the accelerator pedal and
quickly steer
the
way
you
want the vehicle to go.
If
you start steering
quickly
enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid
if
it occurs.
Of
course, traction is reduced when water,
snow,
ice, gravel, or other material
is
on the road. For safety, you'll want to
slow
down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to
slow
down
on
slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited.
4-15
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