Delaware · Handbook chapter 10 · 5 min read

Chapter 10: Emergencies, crashes and traffic stops

What to do in Delaware when brakes fail, a tire blows, the gas pedal sticks, you leave the pavement or stall on railroad tracks, plus avoiding collisions, crash reporting and traffic stops.

Why this chapter matters

Emergencies happen fast, and the right move is often the opposite of instinct. The test asks about skids, blowouts, stalls on tracks and when a crash must be reported to the police.

Vehicle emergencies

• Steering lock: never turn the ignition to "lock" while the car is moving.
• Brake failure: pump the brake pedal; if that fails, apply the parking brake slowly so you do not skid; then shift to lower gears and find a safe place to stop.
• Wet brakes: after deep water, drive slowly in low gear and tap the brakes lightly, testing every 200 feet until they work normally.
• Running off the pavement: do not panic or jam the brakes. Take your foot off the gas, grip the wheel, and steer back only when you are under control, below 15 mph and clear of traffic behind; then turn sharply back without crossing the center line.
• Tire blowout: hold the wheel tightly, keep going straight, slow gradually and pull off the road.
• Engine failure: steering and braking get harder but still work. Grip the wheel and pull off.
• Headlight failure: try the switch, then use hazard flashers, turn signals or fog lights and pull off.
• Stuck gas pedal: keep your eyes on the road, shift to neutral, pull off and turn off the engine.
• Fire: pull off. Use an extinguisher, dirt or sand, never water. If the fire grows, move at least 100 feet away.
• Stalled on railroad tracks: if no train is coming, try to restart. If a train is coming, or you are not sure, get out and move away, running toward the direction the train is coming from so debris does not hit you.

Avoiding a collision

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

• Stopping with ABS: press as hard as you can and keep pressing, even if the pedal pushes back.
• Stopping without ABS: brake hard without locking the wheels. If they lock, let up, then press again.
• Turning: you can usually turn faster than you can stop. Without ABS, brake, release, then steer. It is generally better to run off the road than to crash head-on.
• Speeding up can help when you are about to be hit from the side or behind and there is room ahead.

Skids

Skids come from driving too fast for conditions. If you skid, stay off the brake, steer where you want to go, and keep correcting until the car is under control.

Protecting yourself in a crash

• Hit from the rear: press back against the seat and head restraint, and be ready to brake.
• Hit from the side: your belts keep you behind the wheel; be ready to steer or brake.
• Hit from the front: try for a glancing blow rather than a head-on crash.

At a crash

• If you are involved, you must stop. Leaving a crash with injury or death before police have the information they need is a crime.
• If no one is hurt and the cars block traffic, move them out of the way.
• Do not stand in traffic lanes, turn off the ignition, do not smoke, and stay away from downed power lines. Use flares to warn traffic.
• Do not stop at other people's crashes unless help has not arrived, and never drive to a crash scene just to look.

If someone is hurt

Call the police and emergency services. Do not move the injured unless they are in immediate danger. Help those who are not walking and talking first: check breathing, then bleeding, and press directly on wounds. Do not give them anything to drink, and cover them to keep them warm and help prevent shock.

Exchanging information

Give your name, address, registration number, driver license number and insurance company and policy number. Get the names and addresses of everyone involved and any witnesses. If you hit a parked car and cannot find the owner, leave a note in plain view with how to reach you and the date and time.

When to call the police

You must report a crash immediately to the police agency for that location when:

1. Anyone is injured or killed.
2. It happens on a public highway and causes property damage of $500 or more.
3. A driver appears impaired by alcohol or drugs and property damage is $1,000 or more.

Traffic stops

When you see emergency lights behind you, stay calm, signal and pull to the right as soon as it is safe. Turn off the engine and radio, stay in the car unless told to get out, and keep your hands on the wheel where they can be seen. Passengers should stay calm with their hands in view, and nobody should use a phone. Do not search for your license or papers until the officer tells you to, and tell the officer at first contact if there is a weapon in the vehicle. You must give your name and address if asked, and a detention for questioning may not exceed two hours.