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New Hampshire driving lesson · Driving Emergencies

Braking, swerving, and skids

A 3-minute lesson from the New Hampshire 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
Driving Emergencies
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
41

Emergencies range from wiper failure to a major collision. Think before you act: a panic reaction can make things worse. Know the right moves in advance for braking hard, steering around trouble, skids and drop-offs.

Know the rule

Most drivers' first reaction to avoid a collision is to stop. With ABS, press the brake and keep pressure on it; ABS works only while you hold the pedal down.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

With ABS you can stop without skidding and keep steering control. Pedal vibration and a clicking noise are normal. Without ABS, follow the owner's manual.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

ABS

Anti-lock Braking System: lets you stop without skidding and keep steering control, as long as you keep pressure on the brake pedal.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Swerving around an oncoming vehicle:

  • Get a good grip on the wheel with both hands
  • Steer where you want to go, avoiding other traffic; never swerve left to avoid a crash
  • Once clear, steer the opposite way to straighten out and regain control
Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

You may need to accelerate to avoid a collision, for example when you're about to be hit from behind or from the side.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Skids are caused by:

  • Traveling too fast for conditions
  • Stopping too suddenly
  • Tires no longer gripping the road
Handbook p. 41 ↗

If you skid:

  • Ease up on the accelerator
  • Steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding, so you go straight, not sideways
  • Be ready to steer the opposite way if the vehicle swerves back
  • Once the skid stops, straighten the front wheels and steer back in your original direction
Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

Uneven drop-off: if you leave the pavement, don't panic-steer back. Slow down gradually and return to the pavement when it's safe.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Put it into practice

On an icy curve your rear end slides to the right. Ease off the gas and steer right, the way the rear is sliding. If it swings back the other way, be ready to steer left, then straighten out.

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 is the first reaction for most drivers trying to avoid a collision?
  1. To swerve left
  2. To honk the horn
  3. To accelerate away
  4. To stop the vehicle

Answer: To stop the vehicle

Braking to stop the vehicle is the most common first reaction to avoid a collision.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
With ABS-equipped brakes, what should a driver do to keep the system working?
  1. Keep steady pressure on the brake pedal
  2. Pump the brake pedal rapidly
  3. Release the brake as soon as it vibrates
  4. Alternate between the brake and accelerator

Answer: Keep steady pressure on the brake pedal

ABS only works if the driver keeps consistent pressure on the brake pedal.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
If a vehicle suddenly approaches from the opposite direction and a driver must swerve, which direction should they never swerve?
  1. Toward the shoulder
  2. To the left
  3. Toward an open field
  4. To the right

Answer: To the left

Drivers should never swerve to the left to avoid a crash, since that risks oncoming traffic.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
If a vehicle begins to skid, what should a driver do with the accelerator?
  1. Keep the accelerator perfectly steady
  2. Pump the accelerator repeatedly
  3. Press down harder on the accelerator
  4. Ease up on the accelerator

Answer: Ease up on the accelerator

Easing off the accelerator is the first step to regain control during a skid.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
During a skid, which direction should a driver steer?
  1. Directly opposite the direction of the slide
  2. In the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding
  3. Straight ahead regardless of the slide
  4. Sharply toward the shoulder

Answer: In the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding

Steering in the direction the rear is sliding helps the vehicle go straight instead of sideways.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
If a vehicle leaves the paved surface and drops onto an uneven shoulder, what should the driver avoid?
  1. Slowing down gradually
  2. Keeping a firm grip on the wheel
  3. Turning back onto the pavement when safe
  4. Panic steering back onto the pavement

Answer: Panic steering back onto the pavement

Drivers should avoid panic steering; instead slow gradually and return to the pavement when safe.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
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