Connecticut · Handbook chapter 9 · 5 min read

Chapter 9: Vehicle emergencies and crashes

What to do when your car breaks down, the brakes fail, a tire blows out, the engine or headlights quit or the gas pedal sticks; stopping with and without ABS, steering out of trouble, skids, and your duties after a crash in Connecticut.

Why this chapter matters

Emergencies give you seconds to act, so the right response has to be known in advance. The test asks about brake failure, blowouts, skids, ABS and what to do at a crash scene.

When your car breaks down

• Get the car off the road and away from traffic if you possibly can.
• Turn on your emergency flashers.
• If you cannot leave the road, stop where others can see you clearly, not just over a hill or around a curve.
• Place flares or other warning devices behind the car.
• With no warning devices, stand safely off the road and wave traffic around, with a white cloth if you have one.
• Never stand in the roadway, and do not change a tire if it puts you in a traffic lane.
• Raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the antenna, mirror or door handle to signal for help.

Equipment failures

Never turn the ignition to "lock" while moving: the steering will lock.

Avoiding a collision

You have three choices: stop, turn or speed up.

Stopping quickly

Turning quickly

You can usually turn faster than you can stop. Grip the wheel with both hands and steer where you want to go, then be ready to control the car. With ABS you can steer while braking. Without ABS, brake, let up, then turn. Running off the road is usually a better outcome than a head-on crash.

Speeding up

If a vehicle is about to hit you from the side or behind and there is room ahead, accelerating may get you out of danger. Slow down again once you are clear.

Skids

Skids happen when tires lose grip, usually because the driver is going too fast for conditions. If you start to skid:

1. Stay off the brake.
2. Steer in the direction you want the car to go.
3. As it straightens, steer back the other way so it does not swing around, and keep correcting until you are in control.

Protecting yourself in a crash

The most important protection is your lap and shoulder belt.

• Hit from behind: press back against the seat with your head against the head restraint, and be ready to brake so you are not pushed into another car.
• Hit from the side: airbags in front will not help; your belt keeps you behind the wheel. Be ready to steer or brake.
• Hit from the front: turn to make it a glancing blow rather than head-on.

After a crash

Do not stop at a crash unless you are involved or help has not arrived, and never drive to a crash or fire just to look.

If you are involved:

• You must stop. Move the car off the road if it can be driven.
• Do not stand or walk in traffic lanes. Turn off the ignition, do not smoke, and stay away from downed power lines.
• Warn traffic with flares or other devices.
• It is a crime to leave a crash with an injury or death before police have talked to you.
• If you hit a parked car, try to find the owner. If you cannot, leave a note with the date, time and how to reach you.
• Report to police any crash with an injury, a death or property damage.
• Exchange names, addresses, license numbers, vehicle details and insurance information, and note witnesses and damage.

Helping the injured

• Call police and emergency medical help, and mention any fire.
• Do not move injured people unless they are in a burning vehicle or other immediate danger.
• Help those who are not walking and talking first. Check breathing, then bleeding.
• Stop bleeding with direct pressure on the wound.
• Give injured people nothing to drink, not even water.
• Keep them warm with a coat or blanket to help prevent shock.