Emergency Situations: Prevention and Response

• Chapter 17 discusses how to effectively manage emergency situations, predict and adjust for reduced-traction conditions, and recover from skids.
• It also covers taking effective evasive actions, handling vehicle breakdowns, checking for recalls, minimizing crash consequences, performing duties at a crash scene, and maximizing personal security.

Overview of Emergency Situations

• Emergencies can arise from hazardous road conditions, vehicle failures, or driver errors.
• Emergencies happen suddenly, leaving little time for evaluation and decision-making, often leading to panic or inaction.
• Over 37% of drivers involved in crashes took no action to prevent the incident.
• Staying in control during emergencies involves proper braking, evasive actions, and other techniques.
• Rehearsing responses to simulated emergencies reduces emotional impact and increases the chance of correct action.
• Drivers must maintain vehicle control and adhere to reasonable speeds at all times.
• Maximum posted speed limits apply under ideal conditions of traffic volume, visibility, and traction.
• The Basic Speed Law requires drivers to never exceed a reasonable and prudent speed.

Reduced Traction

• Reduced traction increases the likelihood of skidding, loss of control, and crashes.
• Each time driving starts, consider the traction available and stay alert to changes.
• A quick temperature drop can turn rain or wet snow into ice.
• Wait to test traction in an area free of traffic.
• To check traction, slow down to 15-20 mph, quickly press the brake, and note skidding or ABS engagement.
• Acceleration can also be used to check available traction.
• Perform these tests cautiously, avoiding risk to yourself or others.

Hydroplaning

• In wet conditions, your vehicle can lose contact with the road due to excessive speed, underinflated tires, and low tire tread levels.
• As speed increases, water builds between tires and road until tires ride on a water film.
• Adequate tire tread allows water to evacuate, preventing hydroplaning at moderate speeds.
• Hydroplaning can happen even with good tread if water depth exceeds tread depth.
• Properly inflated tires with good tread should maintain road contact at or below 30 mph on wet surfaces.
• Between 30 and 55 mph on wet surfaces, water can separate tires from the road, leading to hydroplaning.
• Hydroplaning is usually unexpected until a curve or turn causes a skid.
• Signs of hydroplaning include water standing on the road, bubbling raindrops, slushing tire sounds, and loose steering.
• Prevent hydroplaning by ensuring deep, open tire treads inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.
• Slow down in standing water, especially on freeways, and drive in tracks left by other vehicles.
• If hydroplaning occurs, do not brake; ease off the accelerator to gradually reduce speed.
• Continue to look and steer where you want to go until tires regain traction.

Braking in Slick Conditions

• Braking on slippery roads can be tricky, and sudden, hard, or prolonged braking can lead to skidding.
• With ABS, press the brake pedal and hold it down; the system pulses brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup.
• Without ABS, use squeeze or threshold braking by keeping your heel on the floor and using your toes to apply brake pressure.
• If wheels lock, ease off the brake pedal just short of locking, adjusting pressure as needed for braking and control.

Off-Road Situations

• Driving off the road's edge can be dangerous and lead to rollovers.
• A vehicle may drift onto the shoulder or be steered there to avoid obstacles.
• Shoulders provide less traction and might consist of loose gravel, grass, or mud, and be lower than the road.
• Look and steer in your desired direction when your wheels run off the roadway.
• Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and keep the car straight.
• Keep part of the tire on the paved road and avoid veering toward the shoulder.
• Prevent skids and rollovers by not immediately turning back onto the road surface.

Slow Recovery

• Never rush to return to the roadway.
• Ensure the path is clear, and there are no obstacles directly ahead.
• Ease off the accelerator and allow gradual slowing. Avoid braking if possible.
• Use gentle squeeze braking to maintain steering control if braking is necessary and there is no object in the path.
• Do not return to the road until speed is reduced.
• Steer the tires approximately 1.5 to 2 feet from the edge of the pavement.
• When you have control and safety is possible, turn the steering wheel one-eighth back toward the roadway allowing the front tire to move smoothly back onto the roadway.
• As soon as the front tire is back on the roadway, make any steering corrections to stay in the correct lane.

Rapid Recovery

• A roadside object may force a quick return to the road.
• Steer so tires off the pavement are about 12 inches from the pavement edge.
• Take foot off the accelerator, but do not brake.
• Quickly turn the wheel about one-eighth toward the roadway, allowing the front tire to get back on to the road surface.
• As the outer wheel makes contact, counter-steer one-quarter turn, and make the necessary steering adjustments to center.

Evasive Actions

• Suddenly changing speed and direction drastically is needed to avoid a crash.
• Actions include abrupt left or right moves, sudden braking, acceleration, or a combination of these.
• Combining controlled braking and evasive steering is the best action when a crash is about to occur at an intersection.
• Steer evasively rather than using hard or emergency braking for better results.
• Requires less distance to steer around an object than to brake and stop at speeds above 25 mph.
• The driver must identity an alternate path of travel to move.
• Hand-to-hand steering maximizes control with non-crossing arms to allow continuous steering input.
• Fixed-hand steering at 9 and 3 o'clock is effective when there is no time for hand-to-hand steering.
• A 9 and 3 o'clock hand positions provides 180-degree steering input, high vehicle control, awareness of the front wheels, and faster reactions.
• Inability to steer to the side or failure to maintain open space means engaging in braking.
• With ABS, use the heel-pivot method without removing the foot from the brake, keeping the foot on the brake at all times.
• Brake pedal pulsing indicates the system is working properly.
• Without ABS, keep your heel on the floor and use toes for firm, steady pressure until wheel lock-up- resulting in loss of directional control.
• Release slightly and immediately reapply with less pressure.
• Acceleration is used least frequently.
• Acceleration can avoid crashes at intersections or during merging.
• Hard braking could cause stopping directly in the path of an approaching vehicle.
• Accelerating may move the point of impact to the rear, reducing injury risk.

Avoinding Wrong Way Drivers

• Detection of wrong-way direction on the freeway can take place if the driver does the following:
• Keeps remaining free of distractions
• Is routinely looking at least 20 to 30 seconds ahead.
• Be aware of swerving drivers .
• Drive in the right lane to increase the amount of maneuvering room.
• Being vigilant at night or before dawn is necessary.
• When you see a wrong-way driver steer aggressively to the right.

Avoiding Road Debris

• Evasive maneuvers are necessary when avoiding fallen cargo on the road.
• Keep space at the sides of the vehicle
• Keep plenty of distance from the vehicle ahead.
• Brake hard if unable to steer around debris.
• Secure cargo with rope, netting, or straps.
• Recheck after driving a few minutes because items can loosen.

Skids

• Skidding is a potentially dangerous situation in which a vehicle's tires lose their grip on the road.
• Usually occurs at inappropriate speeds for conditions and tires lose function.
• The vehicle moves uncontrolled from intended course.
• Skids are a result of hard braking, too much or too quick steering, and too fast in a curve.
• Driver actions will demand more traction than the vehicle can provide in the current conditions.
• Maintaining traction involves recognizing possible skid situations and acting to prevent them.
• Skidding can be prevented by braking and steering smoothly, steer into a curve, and speeds appropriate for conditions.
• When roads are slick you do not have to be driving fast to skid.
• Drive slow on wet, slippery, and debris-covered roads with the Basic Speed Law used any time traction or visibility is less optimal.
• Skids happen for a variety of reasons and driver error.

Causes of Skids

• Over-braking can overwhelm the tires' ability to grip the road, leading to skidding in a straight line with little steering control.
• Over-accelerating can spin the drive wheels, causing the vehicle to swerve or spin completely if not corrected.
• Speeding when turning can exceed the available traction. If uncorrected, this can cause unrecoverable steering.

Types of Skids and Recovery Techniques

• Recognize you are skidding to regain traction.
• Search intended path to check for vehicle movement away from it and the take corrective action.
• Two types of skids are front-tire and rear-tire skids.
• In front-tire skid, the front tires lose traction, pushes wide, and goes to the outside of the turn or curve.
• Regain traction in an front tire skid from a front tire skid by steering the path of travel and easing up on the accelerator to transfer weight to the tires and you made need to smoothly break.
• In a rear-tire ("oversteer") skid, the rear tires lose traction and the rear slides.
• The front will point away from the intended path of travel, and inaction leads to a complete spin.
• To regain traction in a rear tire skid, continue to look and steer towards the path of travel and avoid braking.
• Maintain the trajectory of travel as you continue to look and steer.

Counter-Steering

• Steering in the direction it is needed on the intended path of travel.
• Realign the wheels and ready the vehicle in position as soon as the rear of its begins.
• The rear of the vehicle can then swing back in the opposite direction ("fishtailing") because of the need to be ready to counter steer.
• Quickly and correctly responding is critical in regaining control of the car.
• ESC helps drivers when there is a loss of group and reduces a loss of power and assists in regaining control. Electronic stability control (ESC) works through the control and the sensors that engage the wheels.

Stuck Vehicle

• Apply power slowly and steadily to get your vehicle out of snow, sand, or mid by keeping the front wheels steering straight, moving the vehicle straight.
• Second gear prevents wheel spin and allows the vehicle to be slowly pulled from its current position.
• If the vehicle remains still you many need to rock the vehicle out by engaging a low gear, slowly releasing and pressing, repeating those steps rapidly in succession.
• You can further assist the vehicle by using gravel, stones and car mats to increase traction.

Vehicle Breakdowns

• Mechanical and emergencies situations can occur when driving in your vehicle.
• There is often a complete lack of time to react so steering safely of the roadway takes the top priority.
• The top priority is setting up high visibility warning devices such as reflective triangles.
• They must be set up 100 to 200 feet behind the vehicle.
• If there is no emergency devices, ask an adult passenger to walk 200 to 300 feet with the intention of alerting drivers to your location.
• When not on the road the most important thing is ensuring that the lights are on.
• There are various maintenance services that can be called in emergency situation.

Emergency Road Services

• They preform change tires, perform repairs, jump cabled and refuel your vehicle.
• You need to reach a service garage.
• Roadside assistant and auto club memberships are acceptable for this and the facility's can tow your car and find appropriate alternative transportation.

Engine Failure

• The most common type of failures is stalling.
• The other engine failures are as follows:
  • Overheating
  • Failure to start
• These are caused by malfunctioning fuel injections, system, discharged battery, levels of coolant or maintenance issues.
• You must check for any hazards, check you signal steer and stop in a safe as possible.
• Loss of power steering is an emergency, as it may be difficult to control the car.

Unintended Acceleration

• Unintended acceleration is when the pedals are sticking and occurs on the highways.
• Be sure to firmly press on the breaks before shifting.
• The car should be put in neutral. Keep in consideration that emergency procedures can be effective and the safety measures must be taken.

Light Failure

• Lights on the vehicles brake, headlights, and turn signals.
• Check lights early and you can be stopped if there is a light issue.
• Rare and tragic, but if these failures occur turn them on and off.
• You can concentrate safely getting the car off the road.

Tire Problems

• Continue to grip along the tires path you must have a firm grip to do such a straight coarse.
• There should be slow steady grip on steering wheel.
• One tire cannot fail as the other causes rear tires skid.

Controlling the Vehicle

• You will need to ease off of the acceleration as you let the engine slow.
• Slightly accelerate and break by applying easy study and pressure to the patel.

Pulling Off The Road

• With complete control, find a safe place, you should continue and drive down. Park of of the car and always leave 5 feet on each end.

Vehicle Fires

• Should they occur in the hood or compartment steer away from a gas station or convenience store.
• Turn off the ignition after exiting the vehicle and be very clear from passengers.
• Make the call to 911.

Break Failure

• Call 411 and make sure that the fire department is notified.
• The car owner should review the car manual.
• Pump the break rapidly, the car can rapidly steer and pressure must applied to stop safely.
• Be very careful and prepare wheels which generally control the wheels.
• Be very careful and prepare to release these when they are locked.

Vehicle Defects and Recalls

• Recalls and safety hazards by vehicles must be a high priority of the design and manufacturing.
• Once effective is notified there is an organization called NHTSA.
• Which safety guidelines for vehicles when there is defects and hazards.

Minimizing The Consequences of A Crash

• Maintain and avoid crashes and be injuries.
• Consider each one with its different elements.

Face The Reality

• No one can predict what will happen so you must be prepared in emergency.
• 1 in 5 drivers have crashed.
• You must use maneuvers for that car.

Occupant Safety

• Everyone must buckle up.
• With safety belt fatalities reduce up to 45%.
• Passengers are at great risk if belts do not work.

Three-Collision Concerpt

• Motor vehicle, although the vehicle decelerates rapidly.
• There is one collision for each car.

Minimizing the first collision

• It can find a path for a car and you must leave your car.
• The best way to minimize the hit is you use the car to create a glancing blow.
• If you have an opportunity to change an objective something that can give.

Duties At A Crash Scene

• It is best if that person understands and that the personal injuries and death that can follow.
• Do right when doing as a safe driver.

Stop Immediately

• Stop the car and avoid obstructing the scene.
• Some must not move as they require police in the scene where the police may move it.

Assist the injured

• People must check who calls 911.
• Don't move people after that point and you may cause injury.

Control the Scene

• After an impact you are trying to prevent injury.
• If those people are still alive post a vehicle in place.
• When there is a visible signal for people to be cautious.

Notify The Police

• Law personnel must by the police in 911 number.
• An officer investigates and may help by finding statements.

Exchange Required Information

• Exchange your information to with others.
• Vehicle identification and driver numbers and insurance number.
• Important to give other your information and don't give in a certain information.

Remain at scene

• As mentioned do not leave from a crash scene until they are helped.
• Talk with safety personnel and take pictures from the scene and draw notes detailing crash reports.

Notify Insurance

• Safety comes when you contact your proper personal for administration requirements.

Vehicle or Property

• Make them pay for the costs.

Stopping to Assist at Crashes

• The best call is 911.

Personal Security

• When people are a take advantage do the best you can to maximize.

###When parking and exiting your vehicle:

• Park light at a street light.
• When able to park near a security camera.
• Ensure you are in a safe area.

When returning to your vehicle :

• Your instinct if something happens trust and be sure to take what helps.
• Have your cell phone but do not use it only if necessary.
• Keys in your hand alarm at the ready.
• As always, maintain 100% awareness.
• See everything search and signs of the moment beneath and around the vehicle.
• Be sure to see any movements in areas to sides.

When driving always have a plan:

• Ensure, organize and lock the doors:
• Always be locked with safety is in place.

Children And Pets Left in Vehicles

• Drivers have responsibilities as they enter with pets and children and they rely on those people.

###Keyless Ignition Systems

• Some cars have the ability to drive with the cars and there are systems in place for drivers to ensure safety.
• Read your manuals and take into account the following and never exit the areas with a fob and children in sight.