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Five Deadly Driving Hazards and How to Survive Them
When a tire blows out the steering wheel will pull violently in your hands. You put your foot on the brake and your vehicle does not stop. On wet pavement your vehicle feels light and unresponsive. What you do or don't do next can make the difference between a scary situation and a catastrophe.
1. No brakes - Brake failures are rare because most vehicles have two braking systems - standard brakes and anti-lock brakes. Even if the brakes malfunction, the brakes on two of the four wheels should still work. But stops will take longer and you will need to press on the brake pedal much harder than usual. If the brake pedal goes to the floor, there may be a problem with the brake master cylinder. If the brake light or anti-lock brake light comes on, have your brakes checked.
Solution - Pumping the brake pedal rapidly and hard may build up enough pressure to stop the vehicle. With a manual transmission, shift into a lower gear to slow the engine down. With an automatic transmission you might damage it, but that is better than crashing. You can also slow down by sideswiping a wall or parked cars, but only as a last resort.
2. Engine accelerates - It is scary when a vehicle accelerates by itself. The problem may be mechanical or simply a floor mat bunched up under the gas pedal.
Solution - Whatever the cause, you can stop the vehicle if you know how. With an automatic transmission, shift into neutral. With a manual transmission, step down on the clutch pedal. The engine will continue to race but with the transmission disengaged the vehicle will stop accelerating. Do not turn the vehicle off while it is moving. Braking and steering will be much more difficult.
3. Wrong-way Driver - As a driver, this is one of the most terrifying situations you can face. Whether the driver who is heading directly for you is asleep, distracted (texting or on the phone), drunk, sick or even suicidal is irrelevant at this point.
Solution - Avoid a head-on collision at all costs. Brake hard and lean on the horn. Steer toward the right; off the pavement if necessary. Do not steer left because the oncoming driver may swerve back into their own lane. If you must hit something, aim for shrubs, a parked car, or anything that gives.
4. Tire blowout - Debris on the road can cause a tire to blowout at any time. The steering wheel will pull violently in your hands.
Solution - Stay off the brakes if you have a blowout. Keep your foot steady on the gas, grip the wheel firmly and concentrate on steering. When you have the car under control, gradually lift off the gas. Steer the vehicle off the road as soon as safely possible.
5. Hydroplaning - When driving on a wet road, you may hydroplane. A thin layer of water has actually lifted your front tires off the pavement. Your vehicle will glide ahead as if on ice and the steering feels very light.
Solution - To regain control, ease off the gas. This will shift the weight of the car to the front tires giving the vehicle more traction. Slow down, when it is raining.
Worn tires are more likely to blow out and to hydroplane. Check your tires regularly. Check for cuts and bubbles which are signs of possible tire failure.
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