Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than
braking.
For
example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped
in
your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right
in
front
of
you. You can
avoid these problems by braking
--
if
you
can stop
in
time.
But
sometimes
you
can't;
there isn't room. That's
the time for evasive action
--
steering around
the
problem.
Your vehicle can perform
very
well
in
emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes. (See "Braking
in
Emergencies" earlier
in
this section.)
It
is better to
remove as much speed as
you
can
from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.
An
emergency like this requires
close
attention and
a
quick decision.
If
you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended
9
and
3
o'clock positions, you can
turn
it
a
full
180
degrees very quickly without removing
either hand.
But
you have
to
act fast, steer quickly, and
just
as
quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fdct that such emergency situations are always
possible
is
a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all
times and wear safety belts properly.
4-10
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