Better driving: Emergency driving

Tyre blow-out situation A blow-out situation need not lead to loss of control, provided you keep both hands on the steering wheel and do not panic. If a blow-out situation occur in the outside lane of a highway and traffic is heavy, it is better to run on to the central grass strip once the […]

Tyre blow-out situation

A blow-out situation need not lead to loss of control, provided you keep both hands on the steering wheel and do not panic. If a blow-out situation occur in the outside lane of a highway and traffic is heavy, it is better to run on to the central grass strip once the car is under control than to swerve in front of two other lanes of traffic. The main consideration is to get out of other people’s way.

Let’s look at two tyre blow-out circumstances. The first is the rear tyre blow-out which the blow is from the rear. The back of the car will bump and sway, but if the steering is held firm the car usually be kept on a straight course. Pump the brakes on-off movement, throwing the weight forward on the sound tyres and relieving strain on the tyres that has blown out. Do not brake harder than necessary.

What if it were the front tyre? This is more serious than a rear tyre blow-out as the steering can be severely affected. Brake lightly if you can, but avoid throwing weight on those front tyres. This is because it could lead to the car flipping over or tumbling with the passenger inside. This puts your life and others at risk. As the busted tyre rolls unevenly and may be torn from the rim, your hand on the steering wheel must be firm. It is important to keep both hands on the steering tightly counteracting any violent changes in direction.

Brake failure

Total failure of the foot brake system is rare, but if it does happen there is often no warning or obvious deterioration in the brakes beforehand. What you do depends on the distance you have in which to stop.

If there is no real emergency, nothing is gained by violent use of handbrakes. If it does apply do it quickly and hard. Double de-clutching will help engage low gear at speed. On wet surfaces be prepared for skid. There may be occasion were skids may lead to more trouble than if you had steering control. So you should consider releasing the handbrakes again to give the tyres some grip, then steer for a safe gap- a hedge or some other soft object that will lessen the impact.

In a car with automatic transmission, decelerate and apply the handbrake. If there is a lock up position, move the lever into it as soon as the speed drops sufficiently (it important to know the maximum recommended gear speeds from the handbook). Once that is done steer out of trouble.

Jammed throttle

If the throttle jams when there is plenty of road space, immediately de-clutch, put the gear in neutral and switch off the ignition and coast to the nearside of the road, braking normally.

However, if it happens in an outer lane of traffic, such as on a highway or dual carriageway, the car must be ‘driven’ under control to safety.

Brake and ‘slip’ the clutch, feeding just enough power through the transmission to carry the car to safety.

If the engine revs are not too high, changing down a gear will also help. The brakes will fall well below normal efficiency because the high-revving engine will be pulling against them.

When the speed of the car is down to a safe level, try raising the accelerator pedal by hooking the right toe underneath it.

Safe driving is the best thing you can do on the road. It preserves lives. I’m glad to be of help. Drive safely.