Rhode Island · Handbook chapter 6 · 4 min read

Chapter 6: Driving emergencies

What the Rhode Island manual tells you to do in a skid, brake failure, blowout, stuck accelerator, engine failure, off-road recovery, collision threats, stalls on railroad tracks, fire, water, winter driving and carbon monoxide.

Why this chapter matters

Emergencies happen fast, and the right first move is often the opposite of your instinct. The manual gives a step-by-step answer for each one, and the test often asks for the first step.

Skids and braking

• Most skids happen because the driver did not adjust speed to the conditions. On slippery roads, avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
• Without ABS: gently pump the brakes. With ABS: press firmly and hold; the pedal pulsing is normal, and you can still steer.
• In a skid: ease off the gas, keep your foot off the brake (and clutch), let the car slow, and turn in the direction you want to go.

Vehicle failures

• Brake failure: pump the pedal (three or four pumps will tell you if pressure returns), downshift, then use the parking brake. Steer to open space; as a last resort, rub the tires on a curb. Sideswipe rather than hit something head-on.
• Blowout: grip the wheel with both hands, ease off the gas and do not brake hard. Let the car slow, then pull off gently and use your hazard lights.
• Stuck accelerator: kick the side of the pedal once, shift to neutral while braking, steer to a safe spot off the road, then turn off the ignition.
• Engine failure: shift to neutral, move toward the shoulder, use your hazard lights, and try to restart while rolling. Steering gets harder without power.
• Headlight failure: switch on parking lights, hazards or turn signal, try the headlight switch, and pull off as soon as you can.

Leaving and returning to the road

If your wheels drop off the edge: hold the top half of the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and brake gently to 5 to 10 mph, straddle the edge, pick a spot where the shoulder is nearly level, check traffic and signal, steer sharply back, then counter-steer the moment the front tires touch the pavement.

Collision threats

• Head-on: brake hard without locking the wheels, sound the horn and flash your lights, and steer right toward the shoulder, never left.
• Side impact: brake or speed up, whichever lessens the hit; sound the horn; swerve or change lanes if you can.
• Rear-end: flash your brake lights early and move forward if there is room. If a hit cannot be avoided, release the brake just before impact, then brake right after it.

Railroad tracks

• If you stall on the tracks with a train coming, get everyone out and well away from the tracks. Run in the direction opposite to the way the train is traveling (toward where it is coming from), because debris from the crash is thrown forward in the direction the train is moving.
• Stop, look and listen when signals flash or gates come down. Never go around lowered gates.
• Buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials must stop at every crossing. A train can need about a mile and a half to stop.

Fire, water and weather

• Fire: pull off, turn the ignition off, move away and call 911. Do not fight the fire without an extinguisher.
• Water: unfasten your belt and get out through a window, opening power windows before the power fails. Avoid opening the door. If the car sinks, move to the rear seat where air may remain, take a breath and climb out.
• Winter: drive well below the limit at the first snow and leave extra room. Watch for black ice on bridges, off-ramps, intersections and shady spots.
• Never use cruise control on wet or snowy roads; if you hydroplane, the car may speed up.
• Carbon monoxide has no smell. Yawning, dizziness or nausea can be signs. Open the windows and have the exhaust checked.