## in this chapter 

• Preparing for emergencies 

• Emergency driving strategies 

• Environmental hazards 

• Night hazards 

• Vehicle breakdowns 

• Animals on the road 

• Collision avoidance 

• At the scene of a crash 

## warning! 

Even skilled drivers are not able to safely handle every emergency. The strategies in this chapter can’t guarantee your safety. The best preparation for an emergency is to avoid it. 

## emergency strategies 8 

Chapter 7  gave useful strategies to help you handle personal situations that can influence your driving in a negative way. This chapter describes two major strategies for handling driving emergencies and many practical tips for helping you control situations to prevent emergencies from developing. 

## Preparing for emergencies 

No one really expects to be involved in an emergency, but you can be sure that at some time you’ll face one while you’re driving. The best way to handle emergencies is to be prepared. One way you can prepare is by rehearsing what you would do. Try these steps: 

1. As you drive, look ahead and scan the scene for potential hazards (a child running out in front of you, a cyclist swerving into your lane, a car stopping in front of you suddenly, etc.). 

2. Ask yourself: What would I do?  (brake, swerve, pull over, etc.) 

The best preparation is to always be alert and drive using the see-think-do  strategy. If you’re alert and make good decisions based on your observations, you will usually be able to take a driving action before an emergency develops. 

Remember to prepare your vehicle for emergencies. Carry the right emergency equipment to help you deal with situations described in this chapter. 

## Emergency driving strategies 

Two strategies to handle dangerous situations are emergency braking and skid control. These strategies are complex. You should only practise them in a safe location under the supervision of an expert driver. 

## Emergency braking 

## You in the driver’s seat 

You’re driving along your street, almost home. Out of the corner of your right eye you see a ball roll out onto the street with a blurry image behind it — maybe the neighbour’s child. There’s hardly any time to stop. 

What should you do? 

