When Bad Things Happen On The Road

We've all been in situations that have tested our driving skills - from dealing with other drivers who are distracted to unforeseen weather conditions. But what do you do when the unlikely - and typically uncommon - occurs? Here's how to stay safe in your car, even when the out-of-the-ordinary happens: (Contributed by State Farm Insurance) • If a rock hits the windshield: Your windshield is made of laminated glass, which is strong and not likely to shatter. If a rock or other item strikes your windshield, it will likely chip or star. Don't put off repair or replacement. The windshield works in conjunction with the air bags to protect the car's occupants. • If another vehicle drops something in front of your car: There's an object hurtling through the air, ready to land in front of you. You have a split second to react. Your natural reaction is to swerve or slam on the brakes, which is OK in some situations. But doing so could land you squarely in the path of other drivers on the road. If the item is a piece of lumber or of similar size, you might be able to straddle it or drive over it. If it's a large piece of industrial equipment, you'll have to quickly gauge traffic and try to drive around it without running into another car. • If the hood pops up when you're driving: First things first: Remain calm. Don't swerve but do lay off the accelerator. Your best bet is to roll down your window so you can see ahead. Turn on your hazard lights and work your way to the shoulder to park your car. If the hood can be latched, do so. If the latch is broken, call for roadside assistance. • If you blow a tire: Unlike a flat tire - which is a more subtle change in steering and handling - a blown tire makes a sudden and startling change to driving. Grip the steering wheel and do not slam on the brakes. Slow the car gradually by lifting your foot off the gas pedal. Turn your hazard lights on and ease to the side of the road, where you can come to a complete stop. At this point, you can use a spare tire or call for roadside assistance. • If your brakes don't work: Brakes can go out when the brake fluid either boils or leaks out of the system. If this happens you'll have to use other means to slow your car. First shift the car into a lower gear; this allows the engine to help slow the car. Turn your hazard lights on and get over to the edge of the road as quickly and safely as you can; then shift the car into neutral and gradually apply the emergency brake until the vehicle stops. If that brake has also failed, direct the car onto a soft shoulder, which will help you slow down. • If you hit a large animal: Good news: The chance of hitting a charging elephant is nil. Bad news: You still have to share the road with some pretty big animals such as deer. If you hit an animal, your instinct might be to swerve or brake hard, but this can cause an accident for other drivers. Instead drive straight until you can pull over and stop on the roadside. Stay in your car and call fro help. • If a wheel comes off: This might sound like a scenario in a thrilling whodunit, but the only mystery is how to get through it. If your wheel comes off, you'll hear a thump or clunk. Handle this as you would a blown tire. Slow your car down and carefully get to the shoulder and come to a stop. If you have a spare tire, put it on. • If the vehicle in front of you loses control:There are so many unknowns: Does the car have a mechanical problem? Is it weather-related? Your job will be to avoid a possible accident by either braking or accelerating to remove yourself from danger. If the road is icy, ease off the gas pedal instead of braking, which could cause your car to lose control as well. • If the exhaust pipe falls off: If your tailpipe is dragging, the sound is unmistakable - and excruciating. Stop the car and use wire, such as a coat hanger, to suspend the tailpipe or call for roadside assistance. A dragging exhaust pipe can spark a fire, a very dangerous situation. • If the car catches a fire while you're driving: Need a convincing reason to keep up with your car's maintenance schedule? Mechanical or electrical failures cause more than two-thirds of highway fires and often begin in the engine, running gear, or wheel area. This means the fire is likely to be small and smoldering, giving you time to get out of and away from the car and potentially extinguish it. If you have an auto fire, get over to the shoulder quickly and safely. Stop the vehicle and turn it off. Turn on your hazard lights and get everyone out of the car before calling for emergency help. If you see flames coming from under the hood, do not open it. Oxygen increases the energy of a fire and can turn a bad situation tragic in an instant. • If your check engine light comes on: On some cars, if the light is red and you have serious trouble - you might be out of oil or have a damaged engine. On others it's just a warning to get your car checked out as soon as possible. Consult your owner's manual to see if you should stop right away and call for assistance.

Regardless of what may come your way on the road, be sure to drive safely and responsibly!

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When Bad Things Happen On The Road

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