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
on
page
4-6. 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
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The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at
all times and wear safety belts properly.
4-1
3
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