Special Driving Situations, Hazards, and Emergency Handling
Conditions and environments
Teach the specific adjustments rather than generic caution. In rain, reduce speed to limit hydroplaning, avoid cruise control, and brake earlier and gentler; if hydroplaning occurs, ease off the accelerator and hold the wheel steady until contact returns. In fog, use low beams - high beams reflect off the moisture and reduce visibility. On ice and snow, including Nevada's mountain passes and chain-control areas, slow before the hazard, brake in a straight line, and steer smoothly. In high wind, grip firmly with both hands and anticipate crosswind buffeting when passing trucks or bridges. At night, lower speed and extend following distance because the headlight cone limits sight distance.
Recognize Nevada-specific hazards: desert dust storms, free-roaming wildlife particularly at dawn and dusk, long rural stretches that invite fatigue, work zones with flaggers and narrow lanes, and freeway traffic where merging and exiting create conflict. Railroad crossings require a look and listen and never a stop on the tracks.
Emergencies
In a skid, look and steer where you want to go and avoid hard braking. In a blowout, hold the wheel and decelerate gradually. If the accelerator sticks, shift to neutral and brake firmly. If brakes fail, pump or apply firm pressure, downshift, and use the parking brake gradually. If you leave the paved surface, slow before steering back on. For an approaching emergency vehicle, pull to the right and stop.
Trap
Fog questions bait with high beams, and skid questions bait with "brake hard" or "steer opposite" - both are wrong.
Rule of thumb
When traction or visibility drops, cut speed and increase space; the correct emergency action almost always preserves control rather than forcing a stop.