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North Dakota driving lesson · Emergencies & Winter Driving

Blowouts, equipment failure & road hazards

A 3-minute lesson from the North Dakota 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 & Winter Driving
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
34

Emergencies happen fast: a blowout, a wheel off the pavement, failed lights or a stuck gas pedal. The right first move is usually the calm one. Grip the wheel, ease off the gas, and don't brake or swerve hard.

Know the rule

A thumping sound warns of a flat or blowout. A front blowout pulls the vehicle toward the blown tire; a flat rear tire makes it sway back and forth.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

To regain control after a blowout:

  • Grip the steering wheel tightly and steer straight ahead
  • Ease up on the accelerator
  • Don't brake until you've regained full control
  • Turn onto the shoulder when the vehicle is almost stopped
Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

If a tire drops off the pavement onto the shoulder, don't swerve back. Grip the wheel and ease off the gas; braking hard may cause a skid. Once slowed and in control, check traffic behind you, signal, and turn gently back on.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Equipment failure:

  • Headlights fail: try parking lights and turn signals; leave the road as soon as you've slowed
  • Wipers fail in rain or snow: slow down and look out your side window as you leave the road
  • Accelerator sticks: push in the clutch or shift into neutral, then steer off the road when safe
Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

If the accelerator sticks you may turn the engine off, but you may lose power steering and power brakes. Never turn the ignition to lock while moving; the steering will lock when you turn the wheel.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

Adjust your speed to the weather, traffic and road. Slow down for ruts, holes, broken pavement or objects, but don't slam on the brakes or steer hard to avoid them.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

Loose gravel gives your tires less traction than pavement. Slow down and avoid sudden changes in direction.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

If an oncoming vehicle crosses into your lane, slow down and flash your headlights. If it keeps coming, pull as far right as possible. If a collision could happen, steer off the road to the right or stop on the far right shoulder.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Put it into practice

Your right front tire drops off the pavement onto a soft shoulder. Don't jerk the wheel back. Hold it firmly, ease off the gas and slow down. Then check behind you, signal, and ease back onto the pavement.

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 sound might warn you of a flat tire or blowout while driving?
  1. A thumping sound
  2. A high-pitched squeal
  3. No warning sound occurs
  4. A clicking sound from the dashboard

Answer: A thumping sound

The warning sign to listen for with a flat tire or blowout is a thumping sound.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
If a front tire blows out, which direction will your vehicle tend to pull?
  1. It will sway back and forth
  2. Toward the direction of the blown tire
  3. Straight ahead with no pull
  4. Away from the direction of the blown tire

Answer: Toward the direction of the blown tire

If a front tire blows out, your vehicle will pull in the direction of the blown tire.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
If your tire drops off the edge of the pavement onto the shoulder, what should you do?
  1. Accelerate to regain the lane
  2. Brake hard immediately
  3. Swerve quickly back onto the pavement
  4. Ease off the accelerator and avoid swerving back onto the pavement

Answer: Ease off the accelerator and avoid swerving back onto the pavement

Do not try to swerve back onto the pavement; instead, grip the wheel and ease off the accelerator to keep control.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
If your accelerator pedal sticks, what should you do?
  1. Turn the ignition to the lock position immediately
  2. Apply the parking brake at full speed
  3. Depress the clutch or shift into neutral
  4. Pump the accelerator repeatedly

Answer: Depress the clutch or shift into neutral

If your accelerator sticks, depress the clutch or shift into neutral; never turn the ignition to lock while moving, as this locks the steering.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
If your windshield wipers fail during rain or snow, what should you do?
  1. Turn on your high beams and continue
  2. Slow down and look out the side window
  3. Stop in your lane right away
  4. Keep going and run the defroster

Answer: Slow down and look out the side window

If your wipers fail, slow down and stick your head out the side window if needed to see as you leave the roadway.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
What might happen if you turn your vehicle's ignition to the 'lock' position while still moving?
  1. The brakes will become more responsive
  2. Nothing unusual will happen
  3. The transmission will shift into park
  4. The steering will lock if you try to turn the wheel

Answer: The steering will lock if you try to turn the wheel

Never turn your ignition to the lock position while moving; this will cause the steering to lock if you try to turn.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
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