Kentucky · Handbook chapter 9 · 4 min read

Chapter 9: Emergencies and collisions

Avoiding crashes by braking, steering and accelerating, anti-lock brakes, skids, road-edge drop-offs, what Kentucky law requires after a collision, crash reports, first aid and vehicle failures.

Why this chapter matters

Emergencies give you seconds to act, and the right response is often the opposite of instinct. Questions here cover skids, blowouts and the duties Kentucky law places on you after a crash, including the $500 and 10-day report rule.

Avoiding a crash

You have three options: brake, steer or accelerate.

• Anti-lock brakes (ABS): press the pedal as hard as you can and keep pressing. Vibration and clicking are normal, and you can still steer.
• Steering around a problem: grip the wheel with both hands, steer where you want to go, then steer back to straighten up. If an animal runs out, brake and steer to miss it.
• Accelerating can help when a vehicle is about to hit you from behind or the side.

Skids

Skids come from driving too fast for conditions, stopping too suddenly, or tires losing grip.

• Ease off the brake or accelerator and look where you want to go.
• Skidding straight with ABS: keep steady pressure on the brake. Without ABS: do not brake hard; pump gently.
• Skidding sideways: turn the wheel in the direction the back of the car is sliding, then straighten as the car recovers, correcting left and right until you are in control.
• The steering wheel is the most important control in a skid.

Road-edge drop-offs

If your wheels drop off the pavement, do not jerk back on. Slow down gradually, then, when safe, turn quickly back onto the road.

After a collision

• Stop at or near the scene, and stay until police arrive and have spoken to everyone.
• Kentucky law requires you to check for injuries and give reasonable assistance, such as arranging transport to medical care.
• In a non-injury crash, move the damaged vehicles to the shoulder.
• Record the other drivers' names, addresses and license numbers, plates, VINs and vehicle details, insurance companies, and witnesses. Photograph the damage and note what happened.
• If you hit an unattended vehicle and cannot find the owner, leave a visible note with your name, address, license number, plate number and the date and time.
• If damage is over $500 and no officer investigates, file a written report with the Kentucky State Police within 10 days. You can do it online. Do not file one if an officer investigated.

First aid

Call emergency services and give the exact location. Move an injured person only if their life is in danger; otherwise wait for EMTs. Keep them warm.

Vehicle failures

• Brake failure: use the parking brake slowly, ready to release it if you skid. If that fails, turn off the engine and find a safe place to stop off the road.
• Tire blowout: a front blowout pulls sharply toward the flat tire; a rear one makes the car wobble and pull a little. Grip the wheel, keep straight, ease off the gas and do not brake hard. Pull off and use your flashers.
• Engine failure: steering gets heavy but still works. Brake with steady pressure and pull off, then try to restart.
• Stuck accelerator: turn off the engine, shift to neutral, steer smoothly to an escape path and brake gently.

Breaking down

• Get completely off the road if you can, to the right. If not, stop where you can be seen from far away, not just over a hill or around a curve.
• Turn on your emergency flashers and lift the hood.
• Place flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle.
• Call for help using the number posted on many roads.