1. 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

2. Thankfully, Emergencies Don’t Occur on a Regular Basis
But will you be ready if you find yourself in an emergency situation?

3. 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

4. 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

5. What will you do if the…

6. 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

7. Physical Equivalent Practice

8. What will you do if the…

9. 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

10. Physical Equivalent Practice

11. What will you do if the…

12. 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

13. Physical Equivelent Practice

14. What will you do if the…

15. 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

16. Physical Equivelent Practice

17. What will you do if the…

18. 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

19. Physical Equivelent Practice

20. What will you do if the…

21. 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.

22. Physical Equivalent Practice