Hazard Perception and Emergency Procedures
Seeing the hazard early
Hazard perception is about buying time. Scan 12–15 seconds ahead, check mirrors frequently, and look for the cues that predict trouble: brake lights far ahead, a lane closing, workers on the shoulder, pedestrians stepping off a curb, or a vehicle drifting in its lane. Communicate early with signals and brake lights, and always leave yourself an out.
Emergency braking
If a crash is unavoidable, brake hard in a straight line and keep the wheels rolling when you can; hard straight-line braking preserves steering control, while a panic swerve at speed is a leading cause of rollover. Do not choose the shoulder if a fixed object is there.
Specific failures
Tire blowout: grip the wheel firmly, stay off the brakes, ease off the accelerator, and let the vehicle slow gradually before braking gently. Brake failure: downshift, use the engine brake or retarder, and look for an escape ramp; do not pump air brakes hoping to rebuild pressure. Skid: stop braking, release the accelerator, and steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding, then straighten without oversteering. Jackknife: release the brakes so the drive wheels roll again. Fire: stop, shut off the engine, get everyone out and away, and aim the extinguisher at the base of the flames.
Traps
Questions reward braking over swerving, cool-down over continued braking, and getting out and away from a burning vehicle over fighting a large fire. Watch for answers that say to pump air brakes, or to steer hard against a skid.
Rule of thumb
Brake before the curve and accelerate gently through it; if the rear slides, steer where the rear is going, not where the front is pointed.