A 4-minute lesson from the Minnesota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
When the road turns slick or a part fails, your first instinct — slamming the brakes or jerking the wheel — is usually wrong. These are the handbook's exact responses.
Know the rule
On slippery roads, slow down, keep a safe distance and don't use cruise control. If you skid, stay calm and don't slam on the brakes; take your foot off the accelerator and brake until you can turn in the direction you want.
With anti-lock brakes (ABS), don't pump them. Press down on the pedal and keep steering until you regain control. Check your owner's manual if you're unsure whether you have ABS.
In thunderstorms or fog, slow down, increase following distance and be ready to stop. Use low-beam headlights when you can't see more than 500 feet or it's raining, snowing, sleeting or hailing. If you can't see a safe distance, pull off the road and wait.
On narrow roads where brush or trees block your view of a curve, you can use your horn to warn others. Don't coast down steep hills in neutral, and check your speedometer often — speed builds even off the gas.
Blowout (you may hear thumping or feel the wheel pull first): hold the wheel tightly, steer straight and slowly ease off the accelerator. Don't brake until the vehicle is under control; then pull completely off the road.
Steering failure: ease up on the accelerator and brake only if needed to avoid a crash — gently. Sudden braking or shifting can throw the vehicle off balance.
Brake failure: a pedal that sinks slowly is a warning sign. If it drops to the floor, pump it; if that fails, slowly apply the parking brake (it works only the rear brakes). Downshift to lower gears until you can pull over.
If your wheels drift onto the shoulder, don't swerve back. Stay on the shoulder, slowly release the gas, and after slowing, turn back onto the pavement, then speed up.
If a vehicle comes at you in your lane, move right — never left. If it keeps coming, steer off the road to the right. Horn and headlight flashes may wake a sleepy or distracted driver.
If a driver passing you on a two-lane road can't finish: slow down if they're nearly back in, speed up if they must drop back, and if a crash seems likely, move onto a wide right shoulder to let them into your lane.
Driving 60 mph in heavy rain, your steering suddenly feels light as the tires hydroplane. Take your foot off the gas — don't brake or turn hard — and let the car slow until the tires grip again.
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 should you do first?
Slam on the brakes immediately
Turn the wheel sharply away from the skid
Take your foot off the accelerator
Shift into a higher gear
Answer: Take your foot off the accelerator
Easing off the accelerator, rather than braking hard, is the correct first response to a skid.