Stuck accelerator, head-on threats and stalling… | Missouri

A few emergencies need a specific response you should know before it happens: a stuck gas pedal, blocked vision, a car coming at you in your lane, and stalling on railroad tracks.

Stuck accelerator:

Shift to neutral
Apply the brakes
Keep your eyes on the road and look for a way out
Warn other drivers by honking and flashing your emergency lights
Try to drive the car safely off the road
Once stopped and you no longer need to steer, turn off the ignition

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Know the rule

Turning off the key locks the steering wheel on many vehicles, so don't switch off the ignition until you're done changing direction.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Blocked vision (hood flies open, wipers fail):

Roll down the window so you can look around whatever blocks your view
Turn on your emergency flashers
Pull your vehicle off the road

Handbook p. 67 ↗

A vehicle approaching head-on in your lane:

Slow down
Pull over to the right and sound your horn
Don't swing into the left lane; the other driver may pull back into it too

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Stalled on the tracks with a train approaching:

Unfasten your seat belt, get out of the vehicle and off the tracks
Run in the direction the train is coming from, so you won't be hit by flying debris

Handbook p. 68 ↗

Stalled on the tracks with no train in sight:

Roll down your windows and listen for a train
Try to start the engine
If that fails, put the vehicle in neutral and push it off the tracks

Handbook p. 68 ↗

Know the rule

The NTSB has found 12- and 15-passenger vans inherently unstable when loaded as designed, carrying more than ten passengers. It recommends drivers get specific training for these vans.

Handbook p. 68 ↗

Put it into practice

Your car stalls on a crossing and you hear a train horn to your left. Unbuckle, get out and move off the tracks toward the left, the direction the train is coming from, so debris is thrown away from you.

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 a train is approaching while your vehicle is stalled on the tracks, which direction should you run?

Push the car off before leaving
In the direction the train is coming from
In the direction the train is heading
Stay in the vehicle and wait

Answer: In the direction the train is coming from

Run in the direction the train is coming from; if you run the direction it's heading, you may be hit by debris when it hits your vehicle.

Handbook p. 68 ↗

If your vehicle's accelerator becomes stuck, what should you do with the transmission?

Shift to a higher gear
Turn off the engine immediately while moving
Put it in reverse
Shift to neutral

Answer: Shift to neutral

If your accelerator sticks, shift to neutral, apply the brakes, and steer the vehicle safely off the road.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

If a vehicle is approaching you head-on in your lane, what should you do?

Pull over to the right and sound your horn
Swing into the left lane to avoid them
Stop in your lane and wait
Flash your high beams and hold your lane

Answer: Pull over to the right and sound your horn

Pull over to the right and sound your horn; do NOT swing into the left lane, as the other driver may pull back into it too.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

If your hood suddenly flies open and blocks your vision, you should keep the windows up and slow to a stop blind.

True
False

Answer: False

Roll down the window so you can look around whatever is blocking your view, turn on flashers, and pull off the road.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Stuck accelerator, head-on threats and stalling on tracks