Maine · Handbook chapter 8 · 5 min read
Chapter 8: Avoiding crashes and handling emergencies
Braking, steering and speeding up to avoid a collision, ABS, protecting yourself in a crash, what to do after a crash in Maine, first aid, skids, drop-offs, brake failure, blowouts, a stuck gas pedal, stalling on railroad tracks, jump-starting and sinking vehicles.
Why this chapter matters
Emergencies happen in seconds, and the right reaction is often the opposite of instinct. The test asks what to do in a skid, when brakes fail, when a tire blows and after a crash. Key ideas: three ways out (brake, steer, speed up), stay off the brake in a skid, stay at the scene.
Three ways to avoid a crash
- Braking. Slamming the brakes locks the wheels and causes a skid. With anti-lock brakes (ABS), press hard and keep pressing; the pedal may vibrate and click, which is normal, and you can still steer. Without ABS, pump the brakes or use controlled braking just short of locking the wheels.
- Steering. If you cannot stop in time, steer around the hazard, ideally without braking while you turn. Keep both hands on opposite sides of the wheel. Once past, straighten up and slow down, and be careful not to swerve into a second collision.
- Speeding up. When a vehicle is about to hit you from the side or behind, accelerating may get you out of the way.
Protecting yourself
- Hit from behind: be ready to brake so you are not pushed into another car, brace against the seat back and press your head against the head restraint.
- Hit from the side: brace with the steering wheel and be ready to steer if the car spins.
- Hit from the front: if you wear a shoulder belt, use your arms to protect your face.
After a crash
- Stop at once, help the injured and call for an ambulance if needed. Leave injured people where they are unless something like a fire puts them at greater risk.
- Stay at the scene until police arrive and have questioned everyone.
- If you can, move your car out of traffic.
- Exchange names, addresses, license numbers, plate numbers and insurance companies, and get witness details.
- If you hit a parked car and cannot find the owner, leave a note with your name, address, license and plate numbers, the date and time and a description of the damage.
- Crashes involving any injury, or property damage above a set amount, must be reported to the police or sheriff. The PDF manual gives the amount as $2,000; the online study guide still says $1,000. Failing to report can mean criminal charges and suspension.
- If you hit a dog, cat or livestock, take reasonable steps to tell the owner, or the police or animal control.
First aid until help arrives
Check breathing and give CPR only if you are trained. Press directly on a bleeding wound. Cool burns with water and cover them with a clean cloth; never use grease or ointment. Give an injured person nothing to drink. Keep them warm with a blanket or coat. Stay away from downed wires, and tell anyone in a car touched by wires to stay inside.
Skids and drop-offs
A skid happens when tires lose grip, usually from too much speed or hard braking. Ease off the brake or gas to get steering back, and look and steer where you want to go. If your right wheels drop onto the shoulder, grip the wheel, ease off the gas, brake gently, and steer back onto the road only after slowing and checking traffic.
Vehicle failures
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Brakes fail | Pump the pedal hard; then apply the parking brake slowly; shift to a lower gear; warn others with horn and lights |
| Wet brakes | Test them after deep water; dry them by driving slowly with light pressure on the brake |
| Tire blowout | Do not slam the brakes; grip the wheel, steer straight, ease off the gas and let the car slow; brake gently only if you must |
| Stuck gas pedal | Keep your eyes on the road, shift to neutral, brake gently, pull off and turn off the engine once stopped |
| Flooded engine | Hold the gas pedal to the floor (do not pump) while starting; if that fails, wait about ten minutes |
| Oncoming car in your lane | Sound the horn and flash lights, brake without locking the wheels, pull onto the right shoulder or ditch, never into the left lane |
A front blowout pulls the car hard toward the flat tire; a rear blowout makes it wobble and pull.
Stalled on railroad tracks
If a train is coming and the car will not move, get out. Walk quickly toward the oncoming train and away from the tracks at an angle, so flying debris does not hit you, then call the number on the blue emergency sign.
Jump-starting and water
Connect one cable from the dead battery's positive terminal to the good battery's positive terminal, the other from the good battery's negative terminal to the engine block of the stalled car. Remove the clamps in reverse order, and never smoke while jump-starting. If your car goes into water, it may float for 3 to 10 minutes; escape through a window, opening power windows right away before the electrics fail.
Frequently asked questions
How do you use anti-lock brakes in an emergency?
Press the pedal hard and keep pressing. A vibrating pedal and clicking noise are normal, and you can still steer.
What should you do if your gas pedal sticks?
Shift to neutral, steer smoothly, brake gently, pull off the road and turn off the engine when stopped.
Should you move an injured person after a crash?
Only if there is further danger such as fire. Otherwise wait for help.
What should you do if your car stalls on tracks with a train coming?
Get out and move away from the tracks toward the train at an angle, then call the railroad's emergency number.
Based on the Maine Driver's License Manual (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) and the online Motorist Handbook and Study Guide.