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Montana driving lesson · Emergencies, Crashes & Penalties

Avoiding and surviving collisions

A 3-minute lesson from the Montana 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
3 minutes
Course unit
Emergencies, Crashes & Penalties
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
88, 89

When a crash looks likely, many drivers freeze or do something that doesn't help. There's almost always something you can do: stop, turn or speed up. And if a crash can't be avoided, protect yourself.

Know the rule

To avoid a collision you have three options: (1) stop, (2) turn, and (3) speed up.

Handbook p. 88 ↗

Stopping quickly

Stopping quickly
Your brakesWhat to do
With ABSPress as hard as you can and keep pressing
With ABSPedal may push back — don't let up
Without ABSBrake as hard as you can without locking
Without ABSIf wheels lock and skid, let up; then brake again
Handbook p. 88 ↗

Know the rule

You can usually turn faster than you can stop. Grip the wheel at 9 and 3 (8 and 4 with a steering-wheel airbag), steer where you want to go, and be ready to control the vehicle so you don't end up in another collision.

Handbook p. 88 ↗

Know the rule

With ABS and electronic stability control, you can turn while braking without skidding. Without ABS, brake, then let up and turn — don't lock the front wheels or turn so sharply the car plows ahead.

Handbook p. 88 ↗

Know the rule

Generally, it's better to run off the road than to crash head-on into another vehicle.

Handbook p. 88 ↗

Know the rule

Speed up when another vehicle is about to hit you from behind or the side and there's room ahead. Slow down once the danger has passed.

Handbook p. 89 ↗

Know the rule

If a crash can't be avoided, the most important thing you can do is wear your lap and shoulder belts.

Handbook p. 89 ↗

If you're about to be hit

If you're about to be hit
From theDo this
RearPress back into your seat, head against the restraint
RearBe ready to brake so you aren't pushed into others
SideBelts keep you behind the wheel; be ready to steer or brake
FrontTurn to avoid a direct head-on hit; the airbag inflates
Handbook p. 89 ↗

Put it into practice

A car runs a stop sign ahead and you can't stop in time, but the lane to your right is clear. Steer into it — turning is usually quicker than stopping. With ABS you can keep braking hard while you steer.

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.

With ABS (anti-lock brakes), how should you brake to stop quickly?
  1. Pump the brake pedal repeatedly
  2. Press and immediately release the brake
  3. Use the parking brake instead
  4. Press hard and keep pressing

Answer: Press hard and keep pressing

With ABS, press the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep pressing; do not pump it, even if it pushes back.

Handbook p. 88 ↗
Without ABS, what should you do if your brakes lock up and the vehicle starts to skid?
  1. Quickly let up on the brake pedal
  2. Keep pressing harder on the brake
  3. Turn the wheel sharply into the skid
  4. Shift into a lower gear immediately

Answer: Quickly let up on the brake pedal

Without ABS, if the brakes lock up, let up on the pedal, then reapply once the skid stops, repeating as needed.

Handbook p. 88 ↗
What are the three options drivers have to avoid a collision?
  1. Brake, swerve, and flash lights
  2. Slow down, honk, and steer
  3. Stop, swerve, and back up
  4. Stop, turn, and speed up

Answer: Stop, turn, and speed up

In avoiding a collision, drivers have three options: stop, turn, or speed up.

Handbook p. 88 ↗
When might speeding up be the best way to avoid a collision?
  1. When about to be hit, with room ahead
  2. Whenever traffic feels slow to you
  3. Only when on an interstate highway
  4. When a light ahead turns yellow

Answer: When about to be hit, with room ahead

Speeding up can help avoid a collision if you're about to be hit and there's open room ahead, but slow down once clear.

Handbook p. 89 ↗
If hit from the rear, what should you do with your body?
  1. Lean forward to brace with your arms
  2. Press into the seat and head restraint
  3. Turn to look behind you
  4. Duck down below the seat back

Answer: Press into the seat and head restraint

Pressing against the seat and head restraint reduces whiplash risk if you're hit from behind.

Handbook p. 89 ↗
What is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself in any collision?
  1. Brace with both hands on the dashboard
  2. Grip the door handle tightly
  3. Use your lap and shoulder belts
  4. Lean away from the point of impact

Answer: Use your lap and shoulder belts

Wearing your lap and shoulder belts is the single most important protection in a collision.

Handbook p. 89 ↗
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