Chapter 8 · Emergency strategies

(Learn to Drive Smart, March 2026 edition)

This chapter covers what to do when something goes wrong fast. The first advice: stay alert and keep using see-think-do, so you act before a problem becomes an emergency.

Braking and skids. With anti-lock brakes (ABS), press the pedal hard and keep it down until you have stopped, without pumping. Without ABS, brake hard but stop short of locking the wheels. Poor driving skills, more than weather, are the main cause of skids. If the back end slides, lift off the accelerator, keep off the brake, and steer smoothly where you want to go.

Weather. In fog, rain or snow, slow down, use low beams and give yourself more room. Roads are slickest just after rain begins; on wet pavement, plan on at least double the usual braking distance. If the car hydroplanes, ease off, hold it straight and do not brake. On ice, stopping can take ten times as far as normal; bridges and overpasses ice over first, and shaded spots stay icy longer. If snow strands you, stay with the car unless you are sure you can reach help, and run the engine for only about five minutes an hour with a window cracked open, because of carbon monoxide.

Night. Your headlights must be on between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise, and high beams must be dimmed within 150 metres of another vehicle.

Breakdowns and animals. When a tire blows, grip the wheel and slow gradually without braking hard. If the brakes fail, pump them, shift to the lowest gear and apply the parking brake gently. Animals move most at dusk and dawn; when one is in your path, slow down without slamming on the brakes.

Crashes. Twice the speed means four times the force of impact. If you are in a crash, you must stay at the scene, give reasonable help, and exchange your name and address and the registered owner's, the plate number and insurance details.