Hazard Perception and Emergencies
Scan for hazards
Look for escape routes: shoulder, empty lane, or open field. Ask 'what if' - if the car ahead brakes, if a tire blows, if a light turns red. Cover the brake near intersections.
Emergencies
Tire blowout: grip the wheel, keep straight, ease off the accelerator, and slow gradually; don't brake hard. Brake failure: downshift, use the parking brake gradually, and look for an escape ramp. Fire: stop, shut off the engine, evacuate, and use an extinguisher only if safe.
Worked example
A front tire blows at 60 mph and the truck pulls left. Reasoning: hard braking or sharp steering can cause a rollover. Hold the wheel firmly, keep the truck straight, release the throttle, and let speed fall before easing onto the shoulder.
Traps
Slamming brakes after a blowout; steering sharply for a small hazard; opening the hood during an engine fire; forgetting to set flashers.