Hazard Awareness and Emergency Procedures
The Core Idea
Hazard awareness questions test whether you anticipate danger and respond correctly - braking, steering, and staying calm.
Concepts You Must Know
- Hazard recognition: scan for brake lights, merging traffic, pedestrians, and road debris. Anticipate rather than react.
- Emergency braking: brake firmly but do not lock the wheels; steer to avoid if braking is not enough.
- Skids: steer in the direction of the skid; do not brake hard.
- Tire blowout: hold the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and brake gently.
- Fire: pull over, shut off the engine, and get away; use the extinguisher only if safe.
- Railroad crossings: never stop on the tracks; if stalled, get out and move away.
Traps to Watch
Questions often ask what to do in a skid - the answer is to steer in the direction of the skid, not against it. Another trap is braking hard during a blowout; ease off instead.
Rule of Thumb
"Steer with the skid, ease off the throttle, brake gently."