Florida · Handbook chapter 8 · 5 min read
Chapter 8: Handling emergencies
Defensive driving, what to do when stopped by law enforcement, your legal duties after a Florida crash, hit-and-run penalties, first aid, and step-by-step responses to skids, blowouts, stalls on tracks, fire and sinking vehicles.
Why this chapter matters
Emergencies give you seconds to act, so the right response has to be learned in advance. The exam asks about crash duties, reporting deadlines and the correct steps for skids, blowouts and other failures.
Defensive driving
- Look for possible danger ahead.
- Predict what other drivers may do and adjust.
- Take extra care at intersections, where more crashes happen than anywhere else.
- If a crash cannot be avoided: swerve off the road rather than into oncoming traffic; drive off the road rather than skid off it; hit something standing still rather than something coming toward you; hit a car moving your way rather than head-on; and hit something soft, like a hedge, rather than a tree or post.
When law enforcement stops you
- Signal and pull over as soon as it is safe.
- Turn off the engine and audio, stay in the car and keep your hands visible, ideally on the wheel.
- At night, turn on the interior light. In daytime, lower tinted windows.
- Tell the officer if there is a weapon in the car, and wait for instructions before reaching for documents.
- Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt, but refusing to sign can lead to arrest. Disagree in court, not at the roadside.
After a crash
- Stop and call 911, \*FHP (\*347) or local police.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Get help for anyone who is hurt.
- If the crash is minor and your car is blocking traffic, move it or have it moved.
- Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, plates, license and insurance details, and get witness information.
- Take photos or sketch the scene.
An officer writes a report if there is a DUI charge, a death or injury, or damage requiring a tow. Otherwise, if there is vehicle or property damage, you must report it to FLHSMV within 10 days. If you hit an unattended car or property and cannot find the owner, leave a note with your name, contact details and plate number, and notify police.
Leaving the scene
| Result | Charge |
|---|---|
| Death | First-degree felony, at least 4 years in prison |
| Serious bodily injury | Second-degree felony |
| Injury | Third-degree felony |
| Damage to an attended vehicle or property | Second-degree misdemeanor |
Leaving the scene of a crash with injury or death also costs your license for at least 3 years.
First aid
Call for help even if you think someone already has. Park well off the road with hazards on. Do not move anyone who may have a neck or spine injury, and do not remove an injured rider's helmet. Treat for shock: keep the person calm and flat with legs raised, covered for warmth, with an open airway, and give nothing to drink.
Emergency responses
| Emergency | What to do |
|---|---|
| Skid or hydroplane | Ease off the gas, avoid braking, steer the front wheels where you want to go |
| Right wheels off pavement | Ease off the gas, hold the wheel firmly, brake lightly, return slowly when clear |
| Tire blowout | Ease off the gas without braking, concentrate on steering, slow gradually, brake softly once in control, pull off the road |
| Jammed gas pedal | Foot off the gas, shift to neutral (or press the clutch), brake gently, steer to safety; turn off the engine only as a last resort because steering gets hard |
| Vehicle coming at you in your lane | Sound the horn, flash your lights, brake hard and steer toward the side of the road |
| Wet brakes | Test lightly; dry them by driving slowly in low gear while braking |
| Overcorrection | Stay calm, hold the wheel, ease off the gas without slamming the brakes, steer where you want to go |
| Fire | Get out and call 911; use an extinguisher only on a small fire; never put water on a gasoline fire |
| Power outage at signals | Treat the intersection as a four-way stop |
Breakdowns
Get all four wheels out of the traffic lanes, ideally where you can be seen from 200 feet each way. Turn on hazards, get everyone out on the side away from traffic and call \*FHP for help.
Stalled on railroad tracks
Get everyone out and away at once. A train can arrive as little as 20 seconds after the lights start flashing. Move away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle toward the oncoming train, so flying debris does not hit you, and call the number on the blue Emergency Notification System sign at the crossing.
Vehicle in water
A car may float only 30 to 60 seconds. Unbuckle, lower the window before the car sinks and climb out. If the window will not open, try to kick out a side window. Do not call 911 until you are out.
Frequently asked questions
When must I report a crash to FLHSMV myself?
When there is vehicle or property damage and no officer files a report. You have 10 days.
Should I brake during a blowout?
No. Take your foot off the gas, steer, slow gradually and brake gently only when the car is under control.
Which way should I run if my car stalls on the tracks and a train is coming?
Away from the tracks at an angle toward the train, so debris from the crash does not hit you.
Can I leave a minor crash if no one is hurt?
No. You must stop, exchange information, and move the car out of traffic if it is blocking the road.
Based on the Official Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV).