Special Conditions and Emergency Situations
Conditions change the rules; emergencies reward calm
Rain, ice, fog, and Kansas dust storms all reduce traction and visibility. Slow down, increase following distance, and turn on low-beam headlights in fog, rain, or blowing dust - high beams reflect back and make things worse. On wet pavement, hydroplaning begins at highway speeds when tires ride up on water; ease off the accelerator and hold the wheel straight. On ice, brake and steer gently and allow far more stopping distance. In high wind, grip the wheel firmly and watch for blowouts and tipped trailers; in a tornado warning, leave the vehicle for a sturdy building or a low-lying ditch.
Work zones: reduce speed, obey flaggers, and expect lane shifts, narrowed lanes, and workers close to traffic. Fines for moving violations in work zones are higher, and flaggers have the same authority as a signal.
Emergencies: if a tire blows, hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and let the car slow before steering off the road. If your brakes fail, pump them, downshift, and use the parking brake gradually. If you drive off the pavement, slow down before steering back on; do not yank the wheel. If your car stalls on railroad tracks, get everyone out and move away from the tracks. If you must stop on a highway, pull far off the pavement, turn on hazard lights, and raise the hood.
At a crash: stop, call 911, help if you are trained, and do not move seriously injured people unless there is fire or traffic danger. Move vehicles out of travel lanes when there are no injuries. Kansas requires drivers to report crashes involving injury, death, or property damage above the statutory threshold.
Trap: "Turn on your high beams in fog to see farther." False - use low beams.
Rule of thumb: the worse the visibility, the slower you go and the farther back you stay.