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Maine driving lesson · Emergencies and Vehicle Problems

Avoiding a crash

A 4-minute lesson from the Maine course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Emergencies and Vehicle Problems
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
94, 95, 96

When a collision looks likely, many drivers just stomp the brake. That locks the wheels and takes away your steering. You have three tools: braking, steering and speeding up. Know when each one helps.

Know the rule

Braking as hard as you can locks the wheels, puts the car in a skid and makes you lose control. You have three ways to avoid a crash or reduce its impact: braking, steering or speeding up.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Know the rule

Pumping the brakes is generally the best way to stop in an emergency; it stops the car quickly while letting you keep steering. With anti-lock brakes (ABS), simply hold the pedal down firmly and let the car do the work.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Using ABS:

  • Press the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep applying pressure
  • ABS only works while you keep pressure on the pedal
  • The pedal may vibrate and you may hear clicking; this is normal
  • You can still steer with the ABS engaged
Handbook p. 94 ↗

Know the rule

If the car begins to skid, quickly let up on the brake, then quickly push it down again. Keep up this quick pumping until the car stops.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Controlled braking

Press the brake until just before the wheels lock (without ABS) or until you need more steering, release, and repeat until stopped. Faster than pumping but takes more skill.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Know the rule

Steering around a hazard may avoid a collision if you can't stop in time. Concentrate on steering and stay off the brakes while turning, which lessens the chance of a skid, especially onto a soft shoulder.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Swerving around a problem:

  • Keep a good grip with both hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4
  • Steer in the direction you want to go, but avoid other traffic
  • Once past the hazard, straighten the vehicle and slow down
  • Be ready to turn back quickly; many drivers swerve out of one collision into another
Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

Speeding up can avoid a collision when another car is about to hit you from the side or from behind. In a manual car, shift to a lower gear and floor the gas; in an automatic, just floor the gas.

Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

It is illegal to read printed material while driving. A map or written directions to a specific location don't count as printed material.

Handbook p. 95 ↗

If a collision can't be avoided

If a collision can't be avoided
About to be hit fromWhat to do
The rearBe ready to brake; brace against the seat back
The rear, with head restraintsPress your head firmly against the restraint
The sideBrace with the wheel; be ready to steer if you spin
The front, wearing a shoulder beltUse your arms and hands to protect your face
The front, no shoulder beltThrow yourself across the seat
Handbook p. 95 ↗

Put it into practice

Your car has ABS and a child's ball rolls into the road. Press the brake as hard as you can and hold it; don't pump. Ignore the pedal buzzing and clicking, and steer around the ball if there's room.

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 are the three ways a driver can avoid or reduce the impact of a crash?
  1. Braking, downshifting, or reversing
  2. Braking, honking, or flashing lights
  3. Braking, steering, or speeding up
  4. Steering, reversing, or honking

Answer: Braking, steering, or speeding up

The handbook lists braking, steering, and speeding up as the three ways to avoid or reduce a crash.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
What happens if you slam on the brakes hard without ABS in an emergency?
  1. The wheels can lock and cause a skid
  2. The car stops in a shorter distance
  3. The brakes fade and stop working
  4. The steering gets lighter and easier

Answer: The wheels can lock and cause a skid

Hitting the brakes as hard as possible can lock the wheels and put the car into a skid.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
How should you use the brake pedal with an ABS-equipped vehicle in an emergency?
  1. Tap it lightly and release
  2. Release it once it vibrates
  3. Pump it rapidly like without ABS
  4. Press firmly and hold it down

Answer: Press firmly and hold it down

With ABS, you simply hold the pedal down firmly and let the system do the work.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
When steering to avoid a hazard, what should you do with the brakes if possible?
  1. Brake as hard as possible while turning
  2. Apply the parking brake
  3. Pump the brakes continuously
  4. Stay off the brakes while turning

Answer: Stay off the brakes while turning

If you can, stay off the brakes while turning, which lessens the chance of a skid.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
When might speeding up be the right way to avoid a collision?
  1. When a light turns yellow ahead
  2. When another car is about to hit you from the side or behind
  3. When a car ahead stops suddenly
  4. When being tailgated on a hill

Answer: When another car is about to hit you from the side or behind

Speeding up may be necessary when another car is about to hit you from the side or rear.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
Is it legal to read printed material, such as a document, while driving in Maine?
  1. Yes, if a passenger holds it
  2. No, except a map or directions
  3. Yes, at red lights only
  4. Yes, if it is work-related

Answer: No, except a map or directions

It is illegal to read printed material while driving, though maps or written directions are excepted.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
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