Emergency Situations & Vehicle Malfunctions State of New Hampshire Departments of Education and Safety Division of Program Support Driver Risk Prevention Curriculum Emergency Situations & Vehicle Malfunctions
Thankfully, Emergencies Don’t Occur on a Regular Basis But will you be ready if you find yourself in an emergency situation?
Off-Roadway Do not panic and steer too much Ease off accelerator and activate ABS Align edge line of roadway to middle of car Check the slope of the shoulder! Check traffic to front and rear when slope allows a return to the roadway
Off-Roadway Condition of Shoulder and Actions to Take 1. Brake and steer to get back onto the road when: Shoulder is level with the road Shoulder is lower than the road Shoulder is firm Shoulder slopes towards road Path of travel is open 2. Steer away from road and brake when: Shoulder slopes away from road Shoulder is soft 3. Brake and stop as soon as possible when: Path of travel is closed High rate of speed Slick road surface
What will you do if the…
Hood Flies Up If the hood flies up: Look through the space at the bottom of your windshield to maintain an open Line of Sight Steer to the side of the road. Secure the hood
Physical Equivalent Practice
What will you do if the…
Engine Fails This could happen when the engine quits running completely, becomes flooded, overheats or is simply out of gas. In the event of an engine failure: Stay off the brake – you may need the momentum to pull off the road – steer firmly Keep eyes on open target area Use open palm to shift to Neutral and attempt to restart – if that fails Take an open escape path Turn off ignition
Physical Equivalent Practice
What will you do if the…
Accelerator Sticks This could be caused by a broken spring, or the pedal being stuck in the down position. In either case: Shift to neutral – open palm method Search for an escape path Steer smoothly Brake gently Pull off the roadway Turn off the ignition
Physical Equivelent Practice
What will you do if the…
Brakes Fail A brake failure can be a complete loss of brakes or only the power brakes fail. If the brakes quit working: Keep eyes on target area Control steering Rapidly pump the brakes Shift to a lower gear Use the parking brake method to slow or stop Find a soft crash area if necessary
Physical Equivelent Practice
What will you do if the…
A Tire Blows Out Blowouts can cause serious damage to vehicles and injury or death to occupants. Aim to the target area, where you want the car to go Reduce Speed Gradually Maintain Balance Stay off Brake Control Steering Find a safe place to pull off the road
Physical Equivelent Practice
What will you do if the…
Engine’s on Fire If the car catches on fire, Steer the vehicle out of traffic and away from buildings and people, Have all occupants leave the vehicle immediately and move away! Do not open the hood.
Physical Equivalent Practice