How to Safely Navigate Dangerous Driving Situations
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Even the safest of drivers can find themselves in awkward, hazardous scenarios. Here’s what you should do to stay safe in these five dangerous situations.
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1. Driving out of a skid
Skids can happen if the road is slippery, or if your tire tread is worn down and has little traction. If your vehicle loses its grip on the road and starts to swerve, resist the urge to slam on the brakes. Instead, stay calm and steer in the same direction as the skid, taking your foot off the gas.
2. Faulty brakes
Brake failure is definitely one of the scariest driving scenarios. If it happens to you, gently take your foot off the accelerator and shift into a lower gear. Wait until the vehicle has slowed as much as possible, then activate the emergency brake.
3. Moving your car to the shoulder
If your car is having trouble while you’re driving, the best thing to do is pull over to the side of the road. First, activate your car’s hazard lights, then attach a white or bright piece of fabric to your car door or place flares around your vehicle to increase your visibility to other drivers. You’ll also want to stand outside of the vehicle in a safe spot nearby as you wait for help to arrive.
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4. Flat tire or tire blowout
Photo: Etienne Marais via Pixabay
Even if you keep your tires in great shape, sometimes extreme heat or rough roads can result in a blowout. If one of the tires goes flat while you’re driving, lift your foot from the accelerator to gradually slow down. Navigate toward the side of the road or another safe place where you can fix the tire yourself or wait for roadside assistance to arrive.
5. Accidentally driving off the road
While its best to avoid driving while drowsy, sometimes you can’t avoid a late-night journey when you’d rather be in bed. If you accidentally shift your vehicle out of the lane and into the rougher shoulder of the road, stay calm. Similar to the previous scenarios, the best thing you can do is to take your foot off the accelerator and resist the urge to hit the brakes. Once the vehicle has slowed to a safe speed, and when there’s a gap in traffic, gently and gradually maneuver it back onto the road.
Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.