## Collision avoidance 

No one wants to be involved in a collision, but you may find yourself in a situation where one is unavoidable. The best way to avoid collisions is to use your see-think-do  skills. Keep yourself alert, scan systematically, maintain good space margins and travel at the appropriate speed. These steps will help you avoid most collisions. 

Even if you’re faced with an unavoidable collision, you can sometimes reduce the impact. But you will need to think quickly to do this. 

## Strategies: when an animal is in your path 

If an animal is directly in front of you: 

• Check your rear‑view mirror to see if there is a vehicle behind you, or if you can stop suddenly. 

• Assess the risks and decide on an action. Can you stop safely? Can you steer around the animal? Would it be better to hit the animal or risk a crash? 

• Slow down but resist the urge to slam on your brakes when you see an animal. This could send your vehicle out of control. 

• Leave a wide margin when you drive around an animal. A frightened animal may run in any direction. 

• If the animal is large and you can’t stop in time, brake firmly and steer to strike the animal at an angle. Let up on the brake pedal just before hitting the animal. This will cause the front of your vehicle to rise and reduce the chance that the animal will come through the windshield. 

## You in the driver’s seat 

You’re driving up a hill. Suddenly a car is coming right toward you in your lane. 

What should you do? 

