Steering in EmergenciesThere are times when steering can be moreeffective than braking. For example, you comeover a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, ora car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or achild darts out from between parked cars andstops right in front of you. You can avoid theseproblems by braking — if you can stop in time. Butsometimes you cannot; there is not room. Thatis the time for evasive action — steering aroundthe problem.Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencieslike these. First apply your brakes.See Braking on page 320. It is better to remove asmuch speed as you can from a possible collision.Then steer around the problem, to the left orright depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention anda quick decision. If you are holding the steeringwheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clockpositions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees veryquickly without removing either hand. But youhave to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quicklystraighten the wheel once you have avoidedthe object.The fact that such emergency situations are alwayspossible is a good reason to practice defensivedriving at all times and wear safety belts properly.329
