A 3-minute lesson from the Connecticut course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
When a crash looks likely, many drivers freeze. There is almost always something you can do: stop, turn, or speed up. How you brake depends on whether your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS), and in a skid the key is to stay off the brake and steer.
Know the rule
To avoid a collision you have three options: stop, turn, or speed up.
In most cases you can turn more quickly than you can stop. Grip the wheel with both hands and always steer where you want the vehicle to go — be ready to keep control after you swerve.
With ABS you can turn while braking without skidding. Without ABS, step on the brake, then let up and turn the wheel; don't lock the front wheels or turn so sharply the car only skids ahead.
Skids happen when tires can no longer grip the road, usually because the driver is going too fast for conditions. Wet, snowy or icy roads and high speeds make skids more likely.
A car pulls out in front of you and you have ABS. Stomp the brake hard and keep it down even as the pedal pulses, while steering around the car into the clear lane.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
If your vehicle begins to skid, what is the first thing you should do?
Brake firmly and steadily
Stay off the brake until it slows
Turn the wheel sharply away from the skid
Accelerate to regain traction
Answer: Stay off the brake until it slows
Stay off the brake; until the vehicle slows, your brakes will not work and could cause you to skid more.