8-6 Driving and OperatingSteering in EmergenciesThere are times when steering canbe more effective than braking. Forexample, you come over a hill andfind a truck stopped in your lane,or a car suddenly pulls out fromnowhere, or a child darts out frombetween parked cars and stops rightin front of you. These problems canbe avoided by braking — if you canstop in time. But sometimes youcannot stop in time because there isno room. That is the time forevasive action — steering aroundthe problem.The vehicle can perform very well inemergencies like these. First applythe brakes. See Braking onpage 8‑4. It is better to remove asmuch speed as possible from acollision. Then steer around theproblem, to the left or rightdepending on the space available.An emergency like this requiresclose attention and a quick decision.If holding the steering wheel at therecommended 9 and 3 o'clockpositions, it can be turned a full180 degrees very quickly withoutremoving either hand. But you haveto act fast, steer quickly, and just asquickly straighten the wheel onceyou have avoided the object.The fact that such emergencysituations are always possible is agood reason to practice defensivedriving at all times and wear safetybelts properly.Off-Road RecoveryThe vehicle's right wheels can dropoff the edge of a road onto theshoulder while driving.If the level of the shoulder is onlyslightly below the pavement,recovery should be fairly easy. Easeoff the accelerator and then, if thereis nothing in the way, steer so thatthe vehicle straddles the edge of thepavement. Turn the steering wheel8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 inches), aboutone-eighth turn, until the right frontOfrecido por www.electromanuales.com
