Vehicle Handling, Sharing the Road and Emergency Situations
Vehicle Handling
Control inputs
Steering, braking and accelerating should be smooth and progressive. Grip is a shared resource: if you are braking hard, less is available for turning. Keep both hands on the wheel and use a controlled push-pull or hand-over-hand method for tight turns, returning the wheel deliberately rather than letting it spin back.
Braking and ABS
With anti-lock brakes, press the pedal firmly and hold it; the pulsing you feel is normal, and you should not pump the brakes. ABS lets you brake hard and steer at the same time. Without ABS, threshold braking - firm pressure just short of lock-up - keeps the wheels rolling so you retain steering.
Skids and hydroplaning
If you skid, ease off the accelerator, look and steer where you want the front of the vehicle to go, and avoid hard braking, which worsens the slide. If you hydroplane on standing water, ease off the gas, hold the wheel straight and do not brake until the tires regain contact.
Parking on grades
Facing downhill with a curb: turn the wheels toward the curb. Facing uphill with a curb: turn the wheels away from the curb. With no curb in either direction, turn the wheels toward the edge of the road. Always set the parking brake.
Worked example
Your rear wheels begin to slide on an icy corner. Correct response: ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to travel; do not slam the brakes, and do not jerk the wheel the other way. Once the tires grip, straighten out smoothly.
Rule of thumb
Brake and steer one job at a time when grip is limited.
Sharing the Road and Emergency Situations
Vulnerable road users
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists have the same rights to the road and far less protection. Give cyclists at least one metre of clearance when passing where practical, shoulder-check before opening a door, and expect motorcycles to appear smaller and closer than they seem. At crosswalks and crossovers, stop and remain stopped until pedestrians clear your path.
Large vehicles
Trucks and buses have large blind spots - the "No-Zone" - directly behind, along both sides and especially in front. If you cannot see the driver's face in the mirror, they cannot see you. Trucks need extra room to turn right, often swinging left first, so never squeeze into the space on their right. Heavy vehicles also need far longer to stop, so never cut sharply in front of one.
Emergencies and collisions
If a collision occurs, stop, help anyone injured, call 911 if needed, and exchange name, address, licence, insurance and plate information. Move vehicles off the roadway if they are drivable and it is safe. For a breakdown, pull as far right as possible, turn on hazard lights, and raise the hood if you have a warning triangle or flares to place behind you. Report collisions involving injury or death to police immediately.
Worked example
You are behind a tractor-trailer that switches on its right signal and drifts left. It is not changing lanes - it is setting up a wide right turn. Do not pass on the right; hang back until the turn is complete.
Rule of thumb
Ask "can that driver see me?" before assuming they will avoid you.