Roadwise States Wisconsin Driving lessons Roadside Emergencies Wisconsin driving lesson · Handling Emergencies
Roadside Emergencies A 2-minute lesson from the Wisconsin course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 2 minutes
Course unit Handling Emergencies
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 52 Cars fail in predictable ways. Knowing the steps for each failure before it happens lets you react calmly: keep control first, then get off the road.
Know the rule
If anyone is injured, call 911. Turn on your emergency flashers.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ Brakes stop working Pump the brake pedal several times Pull the parking brake; if you start to skid, release it Look for a safe place to slow to a stop Handbook p. 52 ↗ Tire blowout Hold the steering wheel to keep the vehicle going straight Lift your foot off the gas and slow down little by little Pull off to the side of the road when it's safe Handbook p. 52 ↗ Engine stops working Hold the steering wheel and keep the key in the “on” position Pull to the side of the road when it's safe Expect the steering wheel to be hard to turn Handbook p. 52 ↗ Headlights stop working Flip the headlights on/off to check you're not driving with parking lights on Put on your emergency flashers and low lights Pull off to the side of the road when it's safe Handbook p. 52 ↗ Gas pedal sticks Keep your eyes on the road Switch the car to neutral Pull off to the side of the road when it's safe Turn off the engine Handbook p. 52 ↗ Put it into practice
On the highway, your tire blows with a loud bang and the car pulls hard to one side. Hold the wheel firmly to keep going straight, ease off the gas, slow gradually, and pull onto the shoulder once it's safe.
A useful reminder Blowout: hold straight, lift off the gas. Stuck gas pedal: shift to neutral.
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 stop working, what should you do first? Shift into park Turn off the engine immediately Pump the brake pedal several times Shift into neutral first Answer: Pump the brake pedal several times
Pump the brake pedal several times if your brakes stop working.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ If you use the parking brake to stop after your brakes fail and you start to skid, you should: Pump the gas pedal Pull it harder Turn the steering wheel sharply Release the parking brake Answer: Release the parking brake
If you start to skid using the parking brake, take off the parking brake.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ If you have a tire blowout, what should you do first? Turn sharply toward the shoulder Accelerate to maintain control Hold the steering wheel to keep the vehicle going straight Brake hard immediately Answer: Hold the steering wheel to keep the vehicle going straight
Hold the steering wheel to keep your vehicle going straight during a blowout.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ If your engine stops working while driving, the steering wheel will: Be harder to turn Not be affected at all Turn more easily than normal Lock completely and not turn at all Answer: Be harder to turn
The steering wheel will be hard to turn if your engine stops.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ If your gas pedal sticks, what should you do? Press the pedal harder to break it free Shift to neutral and pull over safely Turn off the engine immediately while at speed Pump the brakes rapidly without shifting Answer: Shift to neutral and pull over safely
Switch the car to neutral, and when safe, pull over and turn off the engine.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ If your headlights stop working, you should use your flashers and low lights and pull off the road when safe. True False Answer: True
Use emergency flashers and low lights, then pull off the road when safe.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ Previous lesson After a Crash Next lesson Alcohol, Drugs & Implied Consent More in Handling Emergencies About the source Roadwise’s Wisconsin course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 52. 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
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Wisconsin’s DMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.