A 4-minute lesson from the Kansas 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 panic and freeze. There's usually something you can do to avoid it or soften it. You have three options: brake, steer or accelerate, and how you brake depends on whether you have ABS.
ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System)
Lets you steer and brake at the same time without losing balance. It generally shortens stops on wet surfaces but not necessarily on dry pavement.
To tell if you have ABS, check the owner's manual or the dash: the ABS light comes on at start-up, then dims. If it stays lit, the ABS isn't working correctly.
Compares where you're steering with where the vehicle is going and brakes individual wheels to reduce skids. In a skid, steer where you're looking and avoid abrupt steering.
You can usually steer quicker than you can stop. Grip the wheel with both hands, steer the way you want to go, and be ready to control the car after you turn so you don't hit something else.
Accelerate out of danger when another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or behind and there's room ahead. Slow down once the danger has passed.
A car runs a stop sign ahead. Your car has ABS, so you stomp the brake and hold it, feel the pedal pulse, keep pressing, and steer toward the open space on the right.
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.
When facing a possible collision, the handbook says you have three main options. What are they?
Accelerate, honk, or swerve
Brake, steer, or accelerate
Brake, honk, or flash
Steer, honk, or brake
Answer: Brake, steer, or accelerate
The handbook identifies braking, steering, and accelerating as the three collision-avoidance options.