Did anyone ever pull out in front of you because they obviously did not see you coming
and then, when they realized you were there, slam on the brakes stopping right in your
path?
If that driver had just hit the gas instead of the brakes, he would have gotten out of
your way and you may not have given it a second thought. After all, every driver at one
time or another has done something stupid; but, if they realized it and reacted properly,
they came away with nothing more than a red face.
If your first reaction to any emergency is to slam on the brakes, then you have some
work to do on your driving skills. A panic stop, under most conditions, should be the last
resort because you risk locking up all four wheels and losing steering control. In many
situations you can steer around an obstacle more easily than trying to stop before you
reach it. Training yourself to react properly to each situation in the split second you
have to make a decision is the key to becoming a safe driver.
The first step in this training program is to know the limits of your car. Find a
deserted road or an empty parking lot and try a few emergency maneuvers. Practice these
maneuvers both on a dry day and on a day with heavy rain. The more familiar you become
with your car and the more confidence you have in your ability to control it, the better
you will be at avoiding accidents.
First, a few cautions. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened.
Make sure there is plenty of room for each of these maneuvers with a good margin for error
and there is no other traffic around that could be startled by your sudden changes in
driving patterns. If you are a new driver, have a more experienced driver or a driving
instructor accompany you to help evaluate your performance. Remember, your safety
is your responsibility. You must use your own good judgment to make sure conditions are
safe for each of these maneuvers. If you do not feel comfortable with any of these
maneuvers, then do not attempt them without an experienced driving instructor accompanying
you.
The reason you are doing these maneuvers is to gain experience and confidence in your
abilities and to know what to expect from your car when a real emergency occurs.
Try a panic stop. First check your mirror to make sure no one is behind
you; then try to stop the car as short as you can from about 30 miles per hour. Don't do
this more than a few times in a row without letting the brakes cool off. If you find your
car skidding sideways, especially in the rain, try releasing the brakes and then
immediately reapplying them. Notice how you quickly regain steering control. Now, try
pumping the brakes in the rain. By pumping the brakes, you maintain steering control while
stopping in the shortest distance. That is the principle behind anti-lock brakes which can
"pump" the brakes at the rate of about ten times per second. (Note: If
your car has anti-lock brakes, then the proper procedure is to just stand on the
brakes and let the anti-lock system do the pumping for you.)
Try swerving from one lane to another.Warning:
When performing this maneuver, keep in mind that certain vehicle types, such as sport
utility vehicles, are inherently unstable and may tip over when turned sharply. The
best way to avoid many accidents is to steer around an obstacle. If you are in the left or
right lane on a highway and you find the traffic suddenly stopped in front of you, the
best course of action might be to steer onto the shoulder or safety lane rather than panic
stop. Even if you think you have enough room to stop, the person behind you may not react
as fast and hit you in the rear, possibly causing a chain reaction accident.
Make sure there is more than enough room in case you misjudge your car's ability and that
there are no cars along side of you or to the rear. See how your car responds to sudden
changes in direction. Remember, you're doing this so that in a real emergency, you won't
be caught off-guard by your car's handling ability and lose control.
Step on the gas hard while coming around a turn. Only try this in an
empty parking lot while it is raining. If you have a front wheel drive car, it will
probably react by going straight until you let go of the gas. If you have rear wheel
drive, the car will probably go into a spin as the rear tires break loose. This response
can get you into serious trouble if it happens on the road and you didn't expect it. By
practicing like this in a parking lot, you'll be able to recognize and prevent a spin by
letting up on the gas.
Learn how to see things in slow-motion. By that I mean watch a potential situation
unfold and react to it as it happens, split-second by split-second, saving any thought of
panic until the danger is past. After that, you may have to pull over to catch your breath
and let your heart slow down, but at least you'll be out of trouble. If you have ever been
in a close call, you probably know what is meant by "everything happened in slow
motion." All I'm saying is, use this effect to your advantage, and the best way to do
that is to not panic.
As you drive, try visualizing what you would do and what options you have if certain
situations occur.
If that car at the stop sign suddenly pulls out into your path
If the car in front of you suddenly stops
If the door opens on that parked car you are approaching
If you see a car coming at you in your lane on a two lane country road
Be observant. Remember, accidents happen because the participants did not expect them.
The best ways to avoid accidents are to anticipate them and be ready to respond; know the
handling characteristics and limitations of your car; and above all don't panic.
Family Car Parts Store
Is Your First Reaction to
an Emergency Situation to Slam on the Brakes?
