driving environments, like natural environments, are ever changing

8/14/2019 Driving Environments, Like Natural Environments, Are Ever Changing..

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Driving environments, like natural environments, are ever changing..

CHAPTER 5: DRIVING ENVIRONMENTS

SECTION 13: DEMANDS OF CITY DRIVING


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ty driving requires something more than simple focus: It requires a persistent attention to yoursurroundings. Traffic patterns in cities are complicated enough; to complicate them, patterns canchange seasonally (tourist inflow, etc.), daily (changing construction zones, etc.), and momentarily(local mishaps).

. Reducing Speed

Allows for More Time to See Details and Identify Their Meaning

u need time to see; to absorb information; to react to information. Allow for more time to see detailnd identify their meaning. If a synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown, too? This is


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pecially true when sights and sounds are coming fast-and-furious. The only way to add time for seeetails and identifying what they are is to slow down.

n intoxicated guy goes before a judge. The judge says: "You've been brought here for drinking." The ys: "Okay, let's get started."

Allows for More Time to Analyze Information and Predict What Might Happen

the city, you should train your eyes to look 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle, giving yourself to analyze what you are seeing. Reducing speed is a must for the same reason. Is the vehicle 2yards ahead moving with the flow of traffic; or is it illegally parked? You do not want to arrive atspot without knowing for certain. Slow down.

Allows for More Reaction Time to Decide What to Do

e time you have to react to a situation will depend on your speed. You must have time not only toidentify problems, but to evade them as well.

Allows for Additional Time to Execute Decisions or Avoid Dangerous Situations

e more difficult an evasive maneuver, the more time it takes to formulate it in your mind, commit toand execute it. Driving at slower speeds adds time for executing maneuvers.

. Looking Ahead of Traffic

Look Ahead for Traffic Hazards

ook ahead a block (12 to 15 seconds), scanning fromsidewalk to sidewalk. Remember:

Aim your vision high Get the big picture Keep your eyes moving Make sure others see you Leave yourself an 'out'

Leave Enough Distance to Maneuver

afe drivers never get 'boxed in' by allowing vehicles to

simultaneously block their sides, front, and rear.Give yourself a space cushion for maneuvering.

Sudden jam-ups like this are common

the city and you require space and tto identify them and avoid a collision

Signal Lights

Look ahead for signal changes: Scan ahead one block (12 to 15 seconds) searching fochanging lights. You may have to slow or stop for traffic ahead of you as the traffic line get


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to speed through a new green light.

Anticipate signal changes: Many traffic signals at busy intersections have pedestriansignals. They are boxes attached to the signal with either icons indicating 'walk-don't walk,the words 'walk-don't walk.' If the 'don't walk' signal stops flashing, be prepared for the lighturn yellow. The yellow will usually last for three to five seconds before turning red, dependspeed limit on the street.

Check for stale green lights: A stale green light is a signal that has been green for somtime and is about to turn yellow. Be aware of how long the light ahead has been green, andprepared to brake.

. Covering the Brake; Not Riding It

When you cover your brake, you remove your foot from the accelerator and position it over the bpedal without actually touching the pedal. This is a good practice at intersections and in stop-andtraffic. 'Riding the brake' refers to keeping a foot on the brake heavily enough that the brake padengage the hub. This wears out the brake system and is a bad habit. It also activates your brakelights, indicating to drivers behind that you intend to stop when in fact you don't.

Slow for Reduced Stopping Distance

emoving the foot from the accelerator itself slows your vehiclea good thing if you're anticipatingtrouble. More important, you are already poised to step down on the brake if trouble occurs. Whhas four legs and an arm? A happy pit bull.

Situations in which Brake Pedal Should Be Covered

Next to parked cars: Scan for exhaust, brake lights or for the left front wheel turning

toward the street. Many times you can see people entering their vehicles or a person closintheir car door.

When observing brake lights ahead: If you see brake lights ahead, it may mean thattraffic is stopping for an unexpected reason. Cover your brake.

Approaching signal lights: Signals can change from green to yellow or red abruptly asapproach them. Cover yourbrake.


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. City Passing

ssing other vehicles on multi-lane streets is perfectly within the law.Slower traffic should move in the slower lanes and faster traffic

should travel and pass on the left.

Passing Over the Center Line of Travel

henever there are two yellow solid lines dividing a city street, youcannot pass on the left. If you are making a left turn, you mayturn over the yellow lines if it is not otherwise prohibited.

Passing In or Near an Intersection

void passing when approaching an intersection, especially on a twolane street.

. Choosing a Lane

e basic rule of lane-positioning applies to all roadways: Slower driversin the right-hand lane and faster drivers in the left-hand lane. Ifyou are in the left-hand lane, and a driver approaches from therear, always move to the right-hand lane (assuming it is safe) andallow the faster driver to pass.

Choose a Lane Appropriate to Use

lawyer is a man who helps you get what's coming to him. On multi-laned streets (more than three-lanes in either direction), themiddle lane generally provides the safest, most unobstructedlane for travel, since left-turning or right-turning vehicles areturning from the right- or left-hand lanes respectively.

Choose a Less Traveled or Congested Lane Unless Planningto Turn

ometimes the right or slower lane may move faster than the otherlanes. If necessary change to a lane where traffic is movingfaster. You may drive in the fast or left lane even if you do not

necessarily want to keep up to speed, if you plan to turn left.However, do not merge left until you are near your turn (200 ft),and clearly signal your intention to turn.

. Vehicle Position

flowing traffic, keep your vehicle to a single lane and drivedeliberately, allowing drivers around you to anticipate your movesand make room for you.


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SECTION 15: DEMANDS OF DRIVING ON AN OPEN

On an open highway, expect the unexpected.

f Potential Hazards

Farm and Field Driveways

driveways are seldom marked and often difficult to spot. These driveways can and will befound at ahighways, including in blind curves and on hillsides. Farm vehicles enter and exit these areas at nea


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Livestock Crossing Areas

crossing areas are usually marked by 'Livestock Crossing' signs. When youanimals in the crossing, you must grant the right-of-way to the livestock. Ffrighten animals or livestock in a crossing by honking or any other means.

Road Conditions

roads in rural areas are poorly maintained. Watch for gravel, dust on the pDeja Moo is the feeling that you've heard all this bull before.

Shoulders

ulders may be interrupted by storm drains or ditchesthat canvehicle to swerve suddenly or flip over.

Stands or Gas Stations

as stations, and other small rural businesses may appearctedly at any and all points along the highway. They may lackand/or be partially hidden. Daylight Savings Time: Why are

ving it and where do they put it? Often their driveways ared, and allow little room for maneuvering. They're often popularg places for locals, and can be quite busy. Watch for vehicles and exiting these places.

On roads with no shoulders, slokeep observant. Have a sense route should something h

sers of the Roadway

ms consumed and produced in the countryside are trucked in on the open highway. Trucks travel sloain, reduced space, and reduced speeds. Near the summit of a steep or long hill, a truck may be travvirtually stopped. If you approach from behind at high speed, you will be on them before you know

peed: Large commercial trucks will often range in speed from 'below the speed limit' to 'way below not tailgate, honk at them, or harass them.

assing


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Passing a large truck takes longer than patypes of vehicle.

When passing or being passed by a large currents may cause your vehicle to suddenl

sideways.

Passing a large truck in a heavy rain is madangerous by side streams of water thrownwheels, which can obscure your vision.

moving Vehicles

the traffic on open highways is local: slow-moving farm vehand short-trip drivers.

Speed: Farm tractors and road maintenance vtravel at 25 mphon rural roadways. They are disorange safety signs or red flags attached to the rWhen you see such signs or flags ahead, begin slimmediately, because you will close with the veh

Clearance: Farm implements such as harrows gned fornarrow highways. Give them wide clearance when you pass them.

paying particular attention to 'cattle crossing' and 'horse crossing' signs, don't forget that rural areaof domestic pets and undomesticated animals as well.

nexpected:High speed collisions with large - or medium-sized animalsare always destructive. At ty destroy the animal. Such a collision usually causes major damage to your vehicle as well; and, if yovehicle, you may do damage to yourself and/or yourpassengers. In the worse case, vehicles swervi

mals have

n known to cross the centerline of the roadway and collide head-on withoncoming vehicles

ou are traveling too fast to allow the animal to move off or for you to move around it safely, the rule ect yourself first. Traveling in a straight line through the animal is safer at high speed than swervingkill an animal, stop, move it off the roadway, and attempt to contact local animal control or law enfre the animal, leave it alone, since injured animals can be dangerous. Attempt to contact local anim


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orcement.

assing: If you can pass an animal, slow down so as not to spook it, and then move cautiously aroun

Environments

highways with diverse terrain increase the number of judgments and adjumake.

almost never encounter a high-speed blind curve except on an open high

encounter one, move your vehicle to the right, away from the center line

Speed and braking: Always slow as you approach a curve.speed as you come out of the curve. Before you enter the curvwhether the curve is banked or flat. Banked curves allow for a speed than a flat curve.

Hazards: When you are traveling into a blind curve, always your time and ability to react to a hazard is limited by your viscentrifugal forces acting on your vehicle.

Be prepared for an oncoming vehicle that may drift into your lane.

Be prepared for a bad road surface, which can affect your traction.

Be prepared for any obstacles in the road.

hifting gears: When traveling downhill, downshift your transmission to control your speed. This redr on your brakes, wheels, and tires.

isibility and speed: Reduce your speed as you approach the top of a hill, taking care not to drive snot stop within the distance that you can see. Drive to the outside of the lane to avoid any vehicle osing near the crest of the hill.

rake failure or overheating: Going downhill, watch your speedometer to make certain that your sdually build to the point that you are out of control. Again, use your transmission to slow your vehiclke failure. When you must apply the brakes, use light, intermittent brake pressure.


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g steep uphill grades can tax your engine and cause overheating. Before setting out, check

r coolant level. If your temperature gauge indicates that your engine is heating up, pull off road

safe spot and allow it to cool.

Driving

iving requires complete concentration and all your driving skills. Often these roadand steep, putting severe strain on both your nerves and your vehicle's engine. Road surfaces can bt freeze/thaw cycling not to mention slick and icy. Elevation gain can turn a light rain into a blindin

mountains sometime create their own weather patterclear day in the valley may become a stormy one abo

Vehicle condition: Most vehicles in goocondition have the power, stopping ability,

system tohandle mountain driving. Howevmaintained vehicle particularly one with and/or cooling system

and/or an underperforming engine shouldthe mountains.

Speed: Most mountain roads have posteparticularly for tight curves. Most importanfor themountain itself to determine your sdriving conditions change so quickly, and v

a mountain,that depending on posted spesafe is suicidal.

Allowing for other vehicles to pass: driver seems to be impatient, move to the driver pass.Also, any driver may use a tur

ind want to pass. Remember, when five or more vehicles line up behind aslow-moving vehicle, the cle mustpull over and allow them to pass.

assing slower vehicles: If your path is clear and you are in a passing zone, you may pass uphill. He time and distance to pass uphill. Pass only if you are sure it is safeand be patient.

oblems at High Altitude

verheating: Driving in the mountains can cause your engine tooverheat. It can be caused by the sa steep grade,by too little anti-freeze, by a broken fan belt, by the heat of a warm day,or by some cse . Still, overheating can lead to seriousengine damage. When driving in the mountains, frequentlyperature gauge.If the vehicle is overheating if your temperature gauge suddenly spikes,or you sm


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ming from the front of the vehicle - pull offthe road, lift the hood, and allow the vehicle to cool. Oftenoverheating problem. If not, be prepared to wait for assistance. Donot drive the vehicle if the enginperature.

apor lock: When a gas bubble forms in the fuel line it can block theflow of fuel, causing the engineven to stall. This iscalled 'vapor lock.' If you experience vapor lock, pull off the road andwait for a fe. The problem will often resolve itself asthe outside temperature acts to equalize pressures in the

or Approaching Other Vehicles on Open Roadways

nes of Cars

ne of vehicles approaches you on an open highway, one of the vehicles may pull out to pass. Be preation and be being ready to pull off the road onto the shoulder. Have you ever stopped to think and

t Hilltops

teraction of exterior light and the eye that produces images can be tricky near a crest, skewing theand distances. There may be less distance between you and an oncoming vehicle than you think.

t Night

ng through the mountain darkness and you meet an approaching vehicle, always dim your lights witcle if they are on high-beam. If you are blinded by the high beam lights of an oncoming vehicle, slowams,and move to the right.

ow-moving Vehicles

roach a slow-moving vehicle from the opposite direction, be alert. If the driver behind the slow-movito pass, you will need to move quickly onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision.

nditions

ds

d can pull the steering wheel out of your grip. Your vehicle can bounce so severely and you lose conface altogether.

ater or any substance placed between the road and your tires significantly reduces your traction andg distance. These substances are abundant on open highways.


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of Road

highways often lack wide and/or well-surfaParticularly near dangerous drop-offs, drivblind curves and sound the horn within 20curve. If a roadway on a steep grade is tootwo-way traffic, the driver traveling downhuphill driver.

of View

takes its toll...please have correct changeroads, your field of view is limited to the rotrees, hills, and other natural obstructionsunexpected emerging from these roadside

Sight

ur line of sight is limited by curves, hill crests, etc. Never overdrive your line of sight.


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SECTION 16: HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS

A. Driving in the Fog

Fog usually appears at first as a white wall or bank. The instant you see such a wall, reduce speed.Fog often appears in patches, so when you drive out of one patch, be prepared for the next.

1. Obtaining Maximum Visibility and Reducing Glare

Fog is at its most dangerous at night, when it 'throws back' or reflects your headlights at you.

Appropriate use of headlamps: Always use low beam headlights driving through fog,which reduces glare.


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Fog lights Fog lights enhance your ability tosee in a fog. However, they must be mounted less than 12 inches, not more than 30 inches,off the ground.

Windshield wipers and defrosters:Replace windshield wipers before the rainyseason starts for effective, non-streak cleaningAlso, your defroster is effective for preventingfog from condensing on your windshield, sokeep it operational.

B. Speed Control in a Fog

1. Reduce Speed but Keep Moving When Entering a Fog

When you enter a fog, reduce your speed perhaps by as much as half - to prevent overdriving you

headlights. However, avoid thetemptation to stop, because you can be rear-ended by vehiclbehind you.

2. Watch for Slow-moving Vehicles Ahead

In a fog, it is difficult to tell whether the taillights you're seeing belong toa slow-moving vehicle, orwhether the vehicle is actually stopped. Cover your brake until you are certain.

3. Look in the Rearview Mirror for Approaching Vehicles

If you must slow suddenly, tap your brake to warn vehicles approachingyou from the rear. If youmust stop, turn on your emergency flashers prior to stopping, and leave them on until you armoving again.


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C. When Your Vehicle Stalls

1. Move Off the Roadway Quickly

Usually there is some warning that your vehicle is

about to stall, such as asputtering engine.When this happens, move off the roadway asquickly as possible.

2. Move Away from the Vehicle

Exit your vehicle from the passenger-side door. If youcheck your engine, check it from the off-roadside of the vehicle. You are better off, however,staying away from the vehicle altogether. Ifpossible, move to the other side of a guardrailor to the unpaved portion of the roadway.Never try to cross lanes of the freeway for help.Wait for police to assist you.

3. Restricted Use of Flashers or Flares

Emergency flashers, reflective triangles, or flares areimportant in preventingyour stalled vehiclefrom being struck. On high-speed roads,triangle or flares should be placed at least 50feet from the vehicle so that approachingvehicles are forewarned. Beware that

intoxicated drivers tend to focus onthe flashinglights, and may be drawn to your flashers. Keepan eye out forerratically driven vehiclesapproaching from the rear.

If you have vehicle problems in the fogpull to the side of the road and stay wityour vehicle. If you go looking for help a dense fog, it's easy to wander onto th

roadway and get a nasty surprise.

D. General Tips

1. Listen for Traffic You Cannot See

Diplomacy is the art of saying 'nice doggie' until you find a rock. In heavy fog where visibility islimited, listen for sounds of approaching vehicles.

2. Avoid Crossing Roadways

Find and use signal-controlled intersections. If you must cross the roadway in a fog, again, listen fothe sounds of an approachingvehicle.

3. Avoid Passing a Line of Cars

Never attempt to pass a line of vehicles in a fog. If you must travel in hazardous conditions, leave


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yourself more time to arrive at yourdestination.

4. Postpone Your Trip

Your best option is to postpone your trip until weather conditions improve.

5. Keep Headlights and Taillights Clean

Particularly when driving into hazardous conditions, keep your vehicle in good working order, andkeep headlights and taillights clean.Road dirt and grime from ice and snow will greatly reducvisibility.

E. Driving on Slippery Surfaces

1. Obtaining Maximum Visibility

In slippery conditions, the limits of visibility may mean the difference between hitting a patch of iceat high speed or avoiding it.

Drive with headlamps on: Always drive with your headlamps on so that others seeyou. If you begin to slide, this will help them avoid a chain reaction collision.

Use windshield washers to remove film: Slippery conditions are often associatedwith mist or road moisture that film

your windshield and - if it is cold outside can layer your windshield with ice. Keep your

windshield wipers and defroster going.

F. Speed Control in Slippery Conditions

1. Keep Below Dry-road Speed

Cut the posted speed limit in half when driving in fog or on ice.Slow even more if the fog or ice worsens.

2. Entering Curves

Even at your already reduced speed, you might have to reducespeed even further when entering a curve. Be sure toavoid any sudden braking or steering maneuvers.

G. Staying on the Roadway

1. Stay on the Pavement


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Stay on the paved portion of the roadway. You may be tempted to drive with two wheels on agraveledshoulder, thinking it improves traction; but you may encounter potholes, raisedgrates, etc.

2. Drive in the Tracks of the Car Ahead

The wheels of the vehicles in front of you can 'squeegee' away some of the water that causeshydroplaning in heavyrains, and/or break-up and melt ice or frost. Try to drive in those trackif you can.

3. Allow More of a Space Cushion

A simple one- or two-vehicle collision in good conditions can begin 'chain reactions' involving dozenof vehicles in hazardousconditions. Avoid this by increasing the distance between you and thvehicles around you

4. Avoid Sudden Movements

Any sudden acceleration, braking, or steering can cause a vehicle to lose traction on a wet road. Gia man a fish and he will eat for one day. Teach him how to fish and he'll sit in a boat and drinbeer all day.

H. Driving Through Deep Water

Avoid driving through water. If you can't avoid it, remember the following.

1. Do Not Overload the Rear

Distribute passenger and cargo as evenly as possible in your vehicle. If the rear of the vehicle isoverloaded, deep water can causethe front end to rise, reducing your ability to steer..

2. Shift to a Lower Gear

Drive through unavoidable water at a very slow speed in low gear. The more you disturb the water,the more likely you are to splash it into places it shouldn't be, such as the electrical and/orbrake systems. When you emerge, pump your brakes to test them for grab. If their stoppingability is compromised by water, drive slowly and continue pumping them lightly until theydry.


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I. Hydroplaning

When you drive too fast on rain-ladenroadways especially if you have badtires your vehicle can lose contactwith the road surface and surf thewater on the roadway. This is calledhydroplaning. Drivers have describedthe action of hydroplaning as 'likemoving on Jell-O...'

1. Regaining Control

Take your foot offaccelerator and slow down

to regain traction with theroad.

Do not brake. Hard brakingmay cause the vehicle to skid.

J. Driving in Snow and Ice

In cold, snowy climates, one of your mosteffective preventative measures iswarming your vehicle before starting

out, which willimprove its overallshort-term performance (brakes,defroster, etc.).

1. Obtaining Maximum Visibility

Also before starting out, remove snow, ice,and/or street grime from headlightsand taillights, and from windows,windshield and windshield wiperblades.

Your ability to keep contact with a wet road isdirectly proportional to your speed. Slow down.

Appropriate use of headlamps: Drive with your headlights on. Pale winter landscapmake everything look washed out. Your headlights bring your vehicle into higher relief foother drivers to see.

Windshield wipers and defrosters: Snowy conditions lead to condensation ofmoisture on glass surfaces inside the vehicle that obstructs visibility, and snow and grit othe outside of the surfaces. Make full use of your wipers and defrosters to avoid this


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problem.

K. Speed Control

1. Keep Below Dry-road Speed

Your traction is greatly reduced in snow, so you need to take into account road surface conditionsand terrain features when setting your speed. Beauty is in the eyes of the "beer-holder." Youwill definitely need to keep below dry-road speed.

2. Keep Your Speed Steady

Particularly in rear-wheel drive vehicles (which include most passenger vehicles), suddenacceleration produces faster spinning of the rear wheels relative to the spinning of the frontwheels. This makes your vehicle 'fishtail.' This in turn can cause a full-on skid. Keep a verysteady, slow speed on an icy road.

One of the many hazards to look out for in asnowstorm is snowplows. Often, their shovels

extend over the centerlines, and more than onevehicle has hit them unawares.

3. Reduce Speed on Curves and inShady Areas

Watch for ice on curves in the road thatmay be covered inshade. Bridges icup before the road freezes.Remember:The road is more slippeat near-freezing than at much lowertemperatures.

4. Maintain a Larger Space

Open up space around you, giving yourselmore time to react to hazards andreducing the chances of being caugin a chain reaction collision.

L. General Tips to Avoid Skids

1. Watch for Areas Where Ice Collects

Pay particular attention to shady areas,curves, hill, bridges, andicy patches

2. Avoid Turning or Slowing Suddenly

Slow before entering a curve in the road. Drivers are more likely to go into a skid on a curve or whechanging speeds. Always avoidswerving from a straight path.

3. Avoid Applying Brakes Too Suddenly or Too Hard


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This leads to skidding. If you have older (non-ABS) brakes, pump them intermittently and gently. Ifyou have ABS brakes, do notpump them, sinthis reduces their effectiveness. If possible, fia dry spot on the road prior to braking toincrease traction.

4. Do Not Drive on Road Edge or Shoulder

The more points of contact between your vehicle anthe road surface, the less likely you are to skiso when you put two wheels onthe shoulder,you have reduced your contact points by twoAlso, since shoulders of the road are notmaintained during winter, icemay remainthere longer than it stays on a traveled road.

5. Do Not Shift to a Lower Gear at High Speed

Shifting to a lower gear at high speed causes skidding. First slow down, then downshift.

6. When to Use Chains

Tire chains provide the best traction on snow and ice. Traction tires (either studded winter tires, orstudded regular tires) are a goodsubstitute. Both chains and traction tires are available atmost tires stores, as well as many auto-parts stores. One or the other rarely, both are ofterequired on steeply graded, high-elevation roads. If you do not have one or the other installeon yourvehicle during storms in these areas, and you are stopped by law enforcement, youwill be turned around and sent back.

If you need to chain-up, it's not necessarily fun. Still, in many conditions - especially inthe mountains - you will be required to do it. Carry chains with you if you plan to drive i

the mountains in snowy weather.

M. How to Stop Skidding


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1. Avoid Braking Suddenly Pump BrakesLightly but Quickly

If you brake suddenly in hazardous conditions and particularly if you keepyour foot onthe brake your vehicle will lose traction,increasing your chancesof skidding, andworsening a skid if you are in one already.Pump the brakesbriskly to reduce speed(non-ABS).

2. Do Not Lift Your Foot from theAccelerator

Alternately, keep your foot on the accelerator.This keeps the engine moving. Iftheengine slows rapidly, it will make the skidharder to control.

3. Steer in the Direction in Which the Rear-end is Traveling

No matter what direction the rear of your vehicleis traveling during a skid, steerin thatdirection. This has the effect ofstraightening the vehicle.

4. Avoid Oversteering

The steering wheel should be turned gently tobring the vehicle out of the skid. The horsethat I bet on was so slow, the jockey kept adiary of the trip. By turning the steeringwheel too hard or too far - over-correcting- the vehicle will whip out of control in theopposite direction.

If you ever have to steer out of a skid,

turning into the

direction that you're already skidding is onof the scariest

things you will ever do. It feels completelywrong...because

you're already skidding in a direction youdon't want to go.

But trust us, it's the only way to straightenout the vehicle

and get it under control. If you straighten thvehicle out

and then bolt into a ditch before you can stothe forward

progress of the vehicle, that's a lot betterthan turning away

from the skid and doing 360 degree turnsinto oncoming traffic.

5. Keep the Clutch Engaged

Engine compression in a manual transmission vehicle helps the vehicle slow. If you push in the clutpedal, you disengage theengine, canceling out this benefit. Thus, in a manual shift vehicle,


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never depress the clutch pedal in a skid.

N. Starting Out When Traction is Poor

1. Start in a Higher Gear

By starting gradually in (D) drive, there will be very little spinning of the wheels.

2. Accelerate Gradually

Accelerate gradually, deliberately, and slowly to avoidspinning your wheels.

O. How to Rock-out when You are Stuck

'Rocking out' is a technique for freeing your vehicle if it istrapped in snow and ice. Prior to rocking the vehicle,stabilize the groundsurface directly in front of the fronwheels, and directly behind the rear wheels, with sandgravel, boards, or anything handy. Then:

1. Start slowly in low gear and accelerateforward gradually until the wheels start to spin;

2. Quickly shift to reverse, allowing the vehicleto fall backward and accelerating gradually until

the wheels start to

spin again;

3. Repeat the steps in rapid succession, effectively rocking the vehicle back and forthMake sure that you keep the

vehicle moving, quickly gaining momentum with each back and forth movement.

P. Mechanical Failure

Below are some simple fixes for various mechanical failures.

1. Stuck Accelerator

1. Shift to neutral.

2. Apply the brakes.

3. Keep your eyes on the road.


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4. Look for a way out.

5. Warn other drivers by blinking and flashing your emergency lights.

6. Try to drive the vehicle safely off the road.

7. Turn off the ignition when you no longer need to change direction.

2. Blowout

1. Hold the wheel tightly and steer straight ahead.

2. Slow down gradually. Take your foot off the gas pedal slowly but don't apply thebrakes.

3. Slow to a stop off the road insafe spot.

4. Apply the brakes when the cis almost stopped.

3. Brake Failure

1. Downshift to a low gear.

2. Pump the brake pedal fast and hard to build up fluid pressure. You will know in threeor four pumps if the brakes

will work by whether the brake resistance stiffens at the top of its travel.

3. Intermittently pump (apply and release) the parking brake, but be ready to release iif the car begins to skid.

4. If possible, steer into bushes or something soft.

5. Sound your horn and flash your lights to warn other drivers.

6. When you no longer need to chance directions, turn of the ignition.

4. Headlight Failure

1. Try the headlights switch a few times.

2. If that doesn't work, put on the parking lights, emergency flashers, or turn signals.

3. Pull off the road as quickly as possible and leave the emergence flashers on.

5. Power Steering Failure if the Engine Dies


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1. Steering will become difficult, but possible. Move to the side of the road as safely aspossible.

2. Stop the car. You may have to push the brake pedal hard if your car has powerbrakes.

3. Restart the engine and proceed with caution.

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