Roadwise States North Carolina Driving lessons Vehicle emergencies: brakes, pedal, tires & skids North Carolina driving lesson · Defensive Driving & Hazards
Vehicle emergencies: brakes, pedal, tires & skids A 3-minute lesson from the North Carolina course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Defensive Driving & Hazards
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 39, 40 When something fails, don't panic. React promptly with the right technique. Each emergency has a specific set of steps.
Brake failure: Manual: shift to a lower gear, release the clutch and apply the emergency brake Automatic: apply the emergency brake and move the gear lever to low range This may damage the brake and transmission, but there's no better choice Handbook p. 39 ↗ Know the rule
To dry wet brakes, drive a short distance applying light brake pressure. On long downgrades, shift to a lower gear at the top of the hill instead of riding the brakes.
Handbook p. 39 ↗ If the gas pedal sticks: Tap the pedal or lift it with your foot to free the linkage Shift to neutral and brake firmly without locking the wheels Move completely off the road at a safe place Handbook p. 39 ↗ If a blowout occurs: Hold the wheel tightly and keep the car straight on your side Slow by lifting your foot off the accelerator Don't brake until the engine has slowed you enough to keep control Move completely off the road Handbook p. 40 ↗ Changing a flat tire safely: Move completely off the road; set the parking brake; use flares if you have them Passengers leave by the passenger side and stand off the road, not in front or behind Turn on flashers and parking lights; block the wheels Handbook p. 40 ↗ Know the rule
Don't make repairs in an area exposed to traffic. Call a tow truck or mechanic.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ If you run off the pavement onto the shoulder: Don't brake immediately or jerk back; you could skid or overturn Ease off the accelerator and steer straight ahead; let the engine slow you When nearly stopped and traffic is clear, gradually drive back on Handbook p. 40 ↗ Know the rule
If an oncoming vehicle crosses into your path: slow down immediately, sound your horn, and keep right even if it means running off the road.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ Know the rule
To avoid skids on wet roads, ice or packed snow, reduce speed gradually. Use firm, steady pressure with ABS; without ABS, pump the brakes gently.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ If you skid: Ease your foot off the accelerator Turn the wheel in the direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding As the path straightens, turn back the other way so you don't over-steer Handbook p. 40 ↗ Put it into practice
Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto a soft shoulder at 50 mph. Don't yank the wheel. Ease off the gas, steer straight, let the car slow, then check traffic and ease back on.
A useful reminder Skid: steer toward where the back end is sliding, then counter-steer as it straightens.
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 brakes fail, what should you do first? Turn off the engine immediately Shift to a lower gear and apply the emergency brake Shift into neutral and coast Shift into reverse to slow down Answer: Shift to a lower gear and apply the emergency brake
Shift into a lower gear and apply the emergency brake if your brakes fail.
Handbook p. 39 ↗ If you begin to skid, what should you do with the steering wheel? Turn it sharply in the opposite direction Hold it perfectly straight Turn it the way the rear is skidding Turn it toward the nearest shoulder Answer: Turn it the way the rear is skidding
Turn the steering wheel in the direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ During a blowout, what should you avoid doing right away? Holding the steering wheel tightly Easing off the accelerator Finding a safe place to pull off the road Applying the brakes immediately Answer: Applying the brakes immediately
Do not apply the brakes until the engine has slowed the vehicle enough to maintain control.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ If your gas pedal sticks, what is one recommended response? Press the gas pedal harder Shift to neutral and apply firm brake pressure Shift into park while moving Pump the brakes until it frees Answer: Shift to neutral and apply firm brake pressure
If the gas pedal sticks, shift to neutral and apply firm pressure to the brakes without locking the wheels.
Handbook p. 39 ↗ With anti-lock brakes (ABS), how should you apply the brakes in an emergency stop? With hard, firm, and steady pressure By pumping them rapidly By tapping them lightly and releasing repeatedly Only using the parking brake Answer: With hard, firm, and steady pressure
With ABS, brake hard and keep firm, steady pressure — pumping the pedal reduces ABS effectiveness.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ With anti-lock brakes, you should pump the brake pedal rapidly during an emergency stop. True False Answer: False
Pumping the pedal reduces ABS effectiveness; instead apply firm, steady pressure.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ Previous lesson Wildlife on the road Next lesson Breakdowns, crashes & your duties afterward More in Defensive Driving & Hazards About the source Roadwise’s North Carolina course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 39, 40. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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