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Wisconsin driving lesson · Handling Emergencies

Avoiding Crashes

A 3-minute lesson from the Wisconsin 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
Handling Emergencies
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
50

Most crashes are avoidable. Paying close attention to your surroundings lets you pick the right escape: stop, turn, or speed up.

Know the rule

In any emergency, call 911 first if you or someone else is hurt.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

A teen driver's chance of a crash doubles with another teen in the vehicle.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

If you see a vehicle on the side of the road, warn drivers behind you by tapping your brake pedal three or four times.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Your three options to avoid a crash

  • Stop
  • Turn
  • Speed up
Handbook p. 50 ↗

ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System)

Keeps the wheels from locking when you brake, so you stop with little or no skidding.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

With ABS in an emergency, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal until you stop or the danger passes. Watch for cars behind you: stopping quickly can get you hit from behind.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

To turn away: grip the wheel with both hands and be ready to keep control after you turn or change lanes. Some drivers steer away from one collision into another.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

Always steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. Do not steer into the oncoming lane of traffic.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

Speeding up may be best when another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or from behind. Slow down once the danger has passed.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Put it into practice

A car runs a stop sign and heads for your side, and you can't stop in time. Speeding up to get clear may be your best option, then slow back down once you're past the danger.

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.

How does having another teen passenger affect a teen driver's crash risk?
  1. It only matters if there are two or more passengers
  2. It slightly reduces crash risk
  3. It has no effect on crash risk
  4. It doubles the chance of a crash

Answer: It doubles the chance of a crash

The chance of a crash doubles if a teen driver has another teen in the vehicle.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
If you see a vehicle stopped on the shoulder, how can you warn drivers behind you?
  1. Turn on your high beams repeatedly
  2. Wave your arm out the window
  3. Tap your brake pedal three or four times
  4. Sound your horn twice

Answer: Tap your brake pedal three or four times

Warn other vehicles behind you by tapping your brake pedal three or four times.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
What are the three crash-avoidance options listed in the handbook?
  1. Turn, coast, or park
  2. Stop, turn, or speed up
  3. Stop, honk, or swerve
  4. Brake, reverse, or flash lights

Answer: Stop, turn, or speed up

You have three options to avoid a crash: stop, turn, or speed up.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
How should you apply the brakes with ABS in an emergency stop?
  1. Firm, continuous pressure
  2. Ease off when you feel the pedal pulse
  3. Rapid pumping, like without ABS
  4. Light, intermittent taps

Answer: Firm, continuous pressure

Apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal with ABS.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
When steering to avoid a crash, you should always steer:
  1. Into the oncoming lane, if it's empty
  2. Toward the right shoulder every time
  3. Straight ahead while braking hard
  4. In the direction you want the vehicle to go

Answer: In the direction you want the vehicle to go

Always steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go, not into oncoming traffic.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
When might speeding up be the best way to avoid a crash?
  1. When another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or behind
  2. When approaching a stop sign
  3. When you want to pass on the right
  4. When a vehicle ahead stops suddenly

Answer: When another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or behind

Speeding up may help avoid a crash when another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or behind.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
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