| DRIVING EMERGENCIES ONLINE DRIVER SAFETY TRAINING There are many emergencies that can confront a driver - listed below are some of the more well known ones. Objects thrown from an overpass If you see someone leaning over the railing of an overpass, try to change lanes. These people aren't really throwers, they're droppers.They time a vehicles approach and drop the object when they think the timing is right. If you can't change lanes, try to avoid going underneath the bridge. Brake hard if you can and pull over to the shoulder until the dropper has left. Call police. Front tire blowout -Keep a firm grip on the wheel -Steer straight, stay in your lane -Come off the gas pedal -Signal your intention to pull over to the side of the road -Brake lightly -Pull as far off the road as you can -Put on hazard lights The gas pedal jams (you ease off the gas pedal but the car doesn't slow) -Try tapping it with your foot to unjam it -If that doesn't work try lifting the pedal with your foot -Remember that your brakes will over-ride your gas pedal, so there's no worry about not being able to stop -If you still have trouble, pull over to the side of the road -Have a good look at the pedal to see if there's anything jamming it. -If none of this works you may have a linkage problem, a job for a mechanic -You can still drive to a service station but you'll probably want to use your hazard lights The shift lever is stuck in park If this happens to you, it probably happened when you parked on a hill. Any time you park on a hill, try to make sure the parking brake is holding the car, not the transmission. -Don't force the selector lever too hard -Try releasing the brakes -Try shutting off the engine and re-starting -Consult your owner's manual -Try applying the foot brake, and while holding it down, shift out of park -If all of the above fails, have a couple of people, or another vehicle, push from behind, Once they push, try moving the selector lever again. This will probably work. Afterwards, consult with a mechanic in case you have a transmission problem. Your driver loses conciousness Heart attack? Stroke? In this emergency situation the cause is not important -Grasp the wheel with your left hand to steer -Shove the driver away from the wheel -Unfasten your seat belt with your other hand -Remove drivers hands from the wheel -If the drivers foot is still on the gas pedal, try to kick it off, or grab their leg and pull it off -Put hazard lights on -In an automatic car, downshift using the gear selector to slow the car down or shift to neutral -You can also use the hand brake to slow the car -Head for the shoulder of the road -Use the hand brake to stop the car -Switch the engine off You have an engine fire Non-collision fires are caused by faulty or poor maintenance or manufacturer's defects. -Pull off the road, turn off ignition -Order all passengers to stand clear -Before lifting the hood, check how hot the lever is -Use a fire extinguisher -You may be able to put out a small fire with dirt or sand -Also for a small fire try a blanket, etc. -Once the fire is extinguished, you may be able to wrap an oil or fuel line with tape and drive to a service station Your car stalls If your car ever stalls you would always want to get over to the side of the road, but that's not always possible. If your car stalls in slow moving city traffic and you can't pull off the road, put on your hazard lights and open the car hood. If your engine cuts out at higher speeds you should have enough momentum to take you to the side of the road, especially if you slip the gear selector into neutral. Put on hazard lights, open the hood of the car. If your engine cuts out on a high speed road and you can't get over to the shoulder, you're in a serious situation. Put on hazard lights and headlights. If you have a cell phone, call for help Open the hood of the car if it's safe to do so. If you think it's safe, walk well down the road behind your car to warn other drivers. Wave your arm up and down to signal them to slow down. In some situations it will be better to wait in your car with your seat belt on. You will learn much more in my defensive driver course "Learn To Drive And Survive." Click below http://www.ultimate-driver-training.com/index.html Webmasters: if you would like to link to this article you can use the following URL: http://www.ultimate-driver-training.com/driving_emergencies.html
|
