Hazard Awareness and Emergency Procedures
Hazard awareness is about seeing problems before they become emergencies. Scan the road ahead, the kerbs, driveways and junctions, and look for clues: brake lights, indicator signals, a ball rolling into the road, or a pedestrian hesitating at the kerb. In Antigua & Barbuda, watch for potholes, stray animals, unlit vehicles at night, and pedestrians walking on the road where there is no pavement.
Emergency procedures: if a tyre bursts, grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator and let the car slow gradually before pulling over - do not brake hard. If brakes fail, pump the pedal, use engine braking by changing down, and use the parking brake gently. If you skid, ease off and steer into the skid. If your vehicle breaks down, move it off the road if possible, switch on hazard lights, and place a warning triangle where safe. At a collision, stop, make the scene safe, call for help if there are injuries, and exchange details.
Traps: questions ask what to do first in an emergency. The first priority is almost always to maintain control of the vehicle and avoid further danger, not to phone someone or leap out. Another trap is braking hard during a blowout or skid - that worsens the situation.
Rule of thumb: in any emergency, grip, steer, slow gradually, then stop safely. Control first, everything else second.