Handling a car efficiently in an emergency is something that every driver should be familiar with. Drivers learn how to handle life-threatening and scary driving situations while behind the wheel through theory and simulations. But how to handle it in real life? What steps need to be taken according to the situation you are in? Read the blog to know more.
What Is a Safe Speed to Drive Your Car?
Crash and injury rates are very much influenced by speed. The risk of a car accident increases as the speed limit exceeds. It is easier to respond to emergencies at a safe speed. There are times when it is necessary to drive below the speed limit in order to be safe. Because the more you speed up, the harder you will hit. So, what is the safe speed to drive your car?
Increasing your speed by just 5 km/hour raises your risk of a collision in a 60 km/hour zone. Driving at 65 km/h in a 60 km/h zone increases your risk of a collision by more than two times. At the point where a vehicle braking from 60 km/h has stopped, a car braking from 65 km/h will still be traveling at 32 km/h. In short, your safe speed is the speed limit advised at the particular driveway.
Scary Driving Situations
If you follow the rules and practice caution, you’ll be on the safe side most of the time. But what if the forces of nature or other drivers have other plans? If you find yourself in a situation like this, make sure you take the necessary precautions. Here are some scary driving situations you might find yourself in.
When Your Car Starts to Fishtail or Skid
Instead of moving in the direction you’re steering when you lose rear tire traction, your car will slide across the road surface. This is fishtailing, or acceleration skidding, or oversteering. It’s more common to see fishtailing on slippery roads such as those covered in snow or ice. But it can also occur during heavy rain when the road begins to flood. If you’re traveling too fast on slick roads, your vehicle may start to slide.
How to handle fishtailing
- No matter how terrifying it may seem, maintain your composure.
- Ensure your safety, your passengers’, and other motorists’.
- Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid.
- Start steering in the same direction as your rear wheels as soon as possible.
- Turn the steering wheel to the left if the car’s back end is sliding toward the driver’s side.
- If not, take a right turn. This will help you regain control of your vehicle and get your wheels turning in the direction you want to go.
- Take your foot off the gas pedal and apply the brakes if they are standard. If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS), apply steady pressure instead of pumping.
To ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers, avoid fishtailing at all costs. Reduce your speed on icy, snowy, or rainy roads. Avoid sudden braking in traffic and increase the stopping distance. Slow down more than you normally would as you approach and make a turn. Inspect and replace any worn-out tires. When driving in wet or icy conditions, their lack of traction can result in dangerous fishtailing, which can be extremely dangerous.
When Your Car Tires Blow Out
Experiencing a tire blowout while driving can be terrifying. A loud bang is the first sign, as the tire explodes and reverberates throughout. As the deflated tire makes contact with the road, you will hear it flapping. Your vehicle will most likely slow down and begin to swerve left or right at the same time as the initial explosion, depending on the location of the blowout on the highway.
How to handle tires blowing out
- If you hear the sound of a tire exploding, take a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands.
- Gently depress the gas pedal. If you have a blowout in the first few seconds after it happens, try to maintain speed by lightly increasing the accelerator.
- Keep the car from moving too far in either direction. In all other situations, maintain as much of a straight line of motion as possible.
- Remove your foot from the accelerator and brake pedals. If you want to keep your car moving, you should allow the burst tire to naturally slow the vehicle down.
- Activate your hazard lights as soon as your car begins to slow down. Then move to the right lane or shoulder as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Begin braking and pulling over to the side of the road. Find a safe place to pull over once your car has slowed to less than 25 miles per hour, most likely.
- Gently depress the brake pedal and gently guide your car to the farthest lane to the right, then go off-road at a safe speed. If you are on a highway and closer to the left shoulder, you can also pull over there; however, you should use caution when exiting your vehicle in this situation.
When Your Car’s Brakes Fail
Every driver’s worst nightmare is driving downhill and hitting the brakes only to discover that they aren’t working. Even if the brake pedal does not function, it is possible to stop your vehicle safely. These steps will assist you in getting out of this scary driving situation and bringing your vehicle to a safe stop.
How to handle a brake failure
- Remove your foot from the gas pedal in order to begin slowing the vehicle.
- Pull over to a safe spot on the road. Check the area around you for enough open space to move into so that you can safely slow your speed.
- Use your blinkers or hazard lights to alert other drivers of your presence.
- If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), pressing the brake pedal all the way to the floor will almost certainly activate the system. You should feel a strong vibration in the pedal, which indicates that the ABS is functioning correctly.
- Pump the brake pedal to restore hydraulic fluid pressure behind the pedal if you are driving a car without an anti-lock braking system (ABS). If you don’t notice a difference after three or four pumps, you should use the emergency brake to stop the car.
- If you have to use the emergency brake, do so slowly and carefully. Pulling on the brake lever too quickly can cause the braking system to become overworked, resulting in a rollover.
- Move safely into the appropriate lane and look for a divider that will assist you in slowing down your vehicle. Prepare to approach the barrier at a shallow angle and gently bring the car’s side up against it.
- As soon as you’ve slowed your vehicle to a manageable speed of fewer than 20 miles per hour, pull over to the side of the road and come to a safe stop. Before changing lanes, take a look ahead to make sure there is enough space for you to complete your slowing down.
- If you need to come to a complete stop while still traveling at a high rate of speed, you may want to consider a crash landing. Look for shrubs, bushes, tall grass, or sand that will provide a softer stopping point for your vehicle.
Words to the Wise
When it comes to frightening driving situations, prevention is essential — and fortunately for you, there are numerous ways to avoid such occurrences. Maintaining your car’s condition by having it serviced on a regular basis, staying up to date on the latest traffic and weather information before getting in the car, and keeping an up-to-date copy of your car insurance paperwork on hand at all times are all important safety precautions.
Sara Sam may not look like your typical car and finance expert, but don’t let that fool you. With over four years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins and outs of cars, car insurance, and refinancing. You can trust Sara to help you navigate the often-confusing world of automobiles and financing.
