Wisconsin · Handbook chapter 7 · 4 min read

Chapter 7: Handling emergencies and crashes

How to avoid a crash by stopping, steering or speeding up, using ABS, what to do after a Wisconsin crash, when a crash must be reported to police ($1,000 and $200 thresholds), and how to handle brake failure, blowouts, a stalled engine, failed headlights and a stuck gas pedal.

Why this chapter matters

Emergencies give you seconds to act, so the right response has to be learned in advance. The knowledge test asks what to do in a blowout or a skid, how to brake with ABS and exactly when a crash has to be reported to police.

Avoiding crashes

Most crashes can be avoided by paying close attention to what is around you. Two facts from the handbook are worth remembering:

• A teen driver's chance of a crash doubles with another teen in the vehicle.
• If you see a vehicle stopped at the side of the road, warn drivers behind you by tapping your brake pedal three or four times.

You have three ways out of a developing crash.

Stop

With anti-lock brakes (ABS), press the brake firmly and continuously until you stop or the danger passes. Pumping is for cars without ABS: ABS keeps the wheels from locking, so you stop with little or no skidding. Watch the traffic behind you, as a sudden stop can get you hit from behind.

Turn

Steering away may be better than stopping. Keep both hands firmly on the wheel, steer where you want the vehicle to go, and be ready to control it once you have moved. Some drivers swerve out of one crash and into another, so never steer into oncoming traffic.

Speed up

When a vehicle is about to hit you from the side or behind, accelerating out of the way may be the best choice. Slow down again once the danger has passed.

After a crash

Call 911 if anyone is hurt. If you are involved, stay at the scene, and turn on your hazard flashers or set flares to warn other drivers.

If someone is injured or killed

• Call 911.
• Stay at the scene and do not move the vehicles.
• Stay in your vehicle if it is safe.
• Leaving the scene of a crash in which someone is injured or killed is a crime.

If no one is hurt but a vehicle cannot move

Call 911, follow the dispatcher's directions and keep away from traffic.

If no one is hurt and the vehicles can move

• When safe, move the vehicles off the road; do not block traffic.
• Exchange driver license, vehicle and insurance information with the other drivers.
• Record the damage and write down how the crash happened.
• Get the names and contact details of any witnesses.

When you must report to police

Report the crash to police when any of these is true:

• anyone is injured or killed;
• property damage is $1,000 or more;
• damage to government property, such as signs or guardrails, is $200 or more;
• a vehicle cannot be moved; or
• a driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Roadside emergencies

Call 911 if anyone is hurt and turn on your emergency flashers.