A 3-minute lesson from the New Jersey course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Some situations demand an instant, correct reaction: a skid, drifting onto the shoulder, a fire, water, or a car stalled on the tracks. Knowing the right move in advance keeps you from panicking.
Know the rule
Never turn the ignition to the lock position while the vehicle is moving: the steering will lock and you will lose control.
Handle a skid the same way in front- and rear-wheel-drive cars. If the rear slides, take your foot off the gas and turn in the direction the rear is skidding, without oversteering. Look where you want to go.
Turning the wheel quickly away from the skid can spin the car. Straighten the wheels once you feel control return, and avoid the brakes during a side skid.
For an emergency stop on a paved shoulder, signal and pull onto it at or near traffic speed, then slow. On an unpaved shoulder, slow to a safe speed before turning off.
Once stopped, turn on parking or emergency lights, never block your taillights at night, raise the hood, and tie a white handkerchief to the antenna or left door handle if you need help.
If your wheels drift onto the shoulder, don't jerk back. Stay on the shoulder and ease off the gas. At 25 mph or less, turn the wheel one-quarter turn toward the road.
A car with windows and doors closed floats about three to ten minutes. Wear your seat belt and escape through an open window while it floats; open power windows at once before they short out. Follow air bubbles to the surface.
If you stall on railroad tracks, everyone gets out and away, even with no train coming; call the number on the Emergency Notification sign or 911. If a train is coming, run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks, toward the train.
Your right wheels drop off the pavement edge at 50 mph. Hold the wheel steady on the shoulder, ease off the gas, and wait until you're down to 25 mph or less before turning a quarter turn back onto the road.
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 vehicle's wheels drift onto the shoulder, what should a motorist do before steering back onto the pavement?
Immediately steer sharply back onto the road
Brake hard and turn the wheel quickly
Accelerate to regain control
Ease off the gas and slow to 25 mph or less
Answer: Ease off the gas and slow to 25 mph or less
A motorist should stay on the shoulder, ease off the gas, slow to 25 mph or less, then turn back onto the road with a quarter turn of the wheel.