A 4-minute lesson from the Indiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Sudden turns, lane changes, or hard braking can cause a skid. Recovery is the same for front- and rear-wheel drive: ease off the gas. Don't turn fast away from the skid or steer too far, which could cause a spin.
With conventional brakes, turn the wheel in a controlled way in the direction the rear of the car is sliding. When traction returns, straighten out and proceed slowly.
With anti-lock brakes (ABS), keep firm, continuous pressure on the pedal and steer normally. Don't pump. A mechanical noise, vibration, or firmer pedal means ABS is working.
A 15-passenger van's rollover risk rises dramatically as the number of occupants increases. Inexperienced drivers, wrong-size or badly inflated tires, and poorly loaded cargo or passengers add risk.
Your car has ABS and starts to skid on a wet road. Keep firm, steady pressure on the brake and steer normally. Don't pump the pedal. The grinding noise and vibration just mean ABS is working.
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.
What is a good rule for how far to stay behind the vehicle ahead of you?
At least two to three seconds
At least half a second
At least ten seconds
One car length regardless of speed
Answer: At least two to three seconds
A good rule is to stay at least two to three seconds behind the vehicle ahead.