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Oregon driving lesson · Safe & Responsible Driving

Avoiding a Collision

A 3-minute lesson from the Oregon 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
Safe & Responsible Driving
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
82, 83

When a crash is coming, you have three moves: stop, steer or speed up. Scanning ahead helps you know which escape route is open. Off-road drops, drifting oncoming cars and animals each have a right reaction — and a wrong one that makes things worse.

Three ways to avoid or reduce a collision

Three ways to avoid or reduce a collision
MoveWhen to use it
Stop quicklyYou have enough distance: apply the brakes
Turn quicklyYou won't stop in time: turn away from it
Speed upHit coming from side or behind, room ahead
Handbook p. 82 ↗

Know the rule

In most cases you can turn your vehicle more quickly than you can stop it. Read your owner's manual on how to properly use your brakes.

Handbook p. 82 ↗

If you drive off the road

  • Don't panic or brake hard — slow down until you can get back on safely
  • Grip the steering wheel firmly and keep a straight course
  • Turn the front wheels just enough to get back on the road
  • Don't turn sharply — you might cross the road into oncoming traffic
Handbook p. 83 ↗

Know the rule

If an oncoming vehicle drifts into your lane, pull as far right as possible, slow down and warn the driver with your horn or lights. Never pull into the opposing lane — the driver may swerve back into it.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

Know the rule

In most cases, steering to the shoulder or ditch is safer than risking a head-on collision.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

Know the rule

Animals are unpredictable. Watch for animal crossing signs and be ready to brake or slow as you pass an animal.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

If you hit and injure a domestic animal

  • Stop and make a reasonable effort to check its injuries, as traffic and the animal's behavior allow
  • Immediately report the injury to the animal's owner
  • Can't find the owner? You must report it to local law enforcement
Handbook p. 83 ↗

Know the rule

Stop if a person on horseback or leading an animal raises a hand or the animal is clearly frightened, unless stopping would cause a collision. A raised hand means the animal is frightened. Don't honk or make loud, sudden noises.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

Put it into practice

Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto gravel at 50 mph. Don't jerk the wheel or slam the brakes. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas to slow down, then steer just enough to bring the wheels 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.

What are the three tools a driver has to avoid a collision?
  1. Braking, honking, and flashing lights
  2. Stopping, turning, and speeding up
  3. Swerving, braking, and signaling
  4. Slowing down, waiting, and reversing

Answer: Stopping, turning, and speeding up

These three actions are your main collision-avoidance tools.

Handbook p. 82 ↗
If you accidentally drive off the road, you should:
  1. Brake hard immediately and turn sharply back onto the road
  2. Speed up to regain control
  3. Slow down and ease back onto the road
  4. Turn the wheel sharply to correct course

Answer: Slow down and ease back onto the road

Ease back on gently, slowing down without sharp turns.

Handbook p. 83 ↗
If an oncoming vehicle drifts into your lane, you should:
  1. Pull right, slow down, and use your horn or lights
  2. Stop in your lane and sound your horn until they move back
  3. Speed up to pass them quickly
  4. Flash your high beams and hold your lane

Answer: Pull right, slow down, and use your horn or lights

Move right, slow down, and warn the other driver.

Handbook p. 83 ↗
Speeding up is sometimes the best way to avoid a collision when:
  1. You are approaching a red light
  2. A vehicle may hit you from the side or rear and you have room
  3. A vehicle ahead brakes suddenly and the lane to your left is open
  4. A pedestrian steps out ahead of you

Answer: A vehicle may hit you from the side or rear and you have room

Speeding up can help escape a side or rear-end collision if room exists.

Handbook p. 82 ↗
A person riding a horse raises a hand toward you. This is a signal that:
  1. You should honk to alert them of your presence
  2. They are greeting you; proceed normally
  3. The animal is frightened; stop if you safely can
  4. They are signaling a turn

Answer: The animal is frightened; stop if you safely can

A raised hand warns that the animal is frightened.

Handbook p. 83 ↗
If you cannot locate the owner of a domestic animal you injured, you must:
  1. Report the incident to local law enforcement
  2. Take the animal to a shelter and say nothing further
  3. No further action is required
  4. Leave a note at the nearest house

Answer: Report the incident to local law enforcement

Report to law enforcement if you can't find the owner.

Handbook p. 83 ↗
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