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Driving Under Emergency Conditions

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Emergency Situations

Generally, emergencies of any kind are unpredictable. Still, they do require immediate action. At the first sign of trouble:
  • Move your vehicle to the right.


  • Use your turn signal to indicate your intentions to other drivers.


  • Get off the road as soon as it is safe to do so.


Overheated Engine

If your temperature warning light indicates that your engine is overheating, try the following:
  • Open the hood to help dissipate heat from the engine.


  • Turn the heater on full blast as this takes the heat away from the engine.


  • If the engine temperature does not go down or the gauge moves to "hot," turn off the ignition.


  • Do not touch the radiator cap or attempt to add coolant until the engine has cooled.


Vehicle Fires

  • Once you are off the road and safely stopped, turn off the ignition.


  • Move at least 100 feet away from the vehicle and call 9-1-1. Attempting to extinguish the fire yourself is dangerous.


Engine Failure

  • If the engine stops while you are driving, shift into Neutral. This allows the vehicle to keep moving while you look for a place to pull over and out of traffic. Apply the brakes when necessary.


  • If it can be done safely, attempt to restart the engine while the vehicle is moving; it may be stalled.


  • Once you are off the road, attempt to restart the engine.


Brake Failure

  • If the brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor, try pumping it to build up pressure. Shift to a lower gear to help slow your vehicle. If the pumping does not help, use the emergency or parking brake.


  • If you have a pedal-type parking brake, hold the brake release lever while applying steady pressure to the brake pedal.


  • If you have a stick-type parking brake, keep the release button engaged. You can release braking pressure if the wheels start to skid. Use steady pressure on the stick.


Tire Failure

  • In a front tire blowout, the vehicle will pull in the direction of the blowout. The pull will be strong. A blowout on the left front tire will pull you toward oncoming traffic.


  • In a rear tire blowout, you may experience a "fishtail" effect.


  • If a blowout occurs, hold the steering wheel firmly and ease your foot off the accelerator.


  • If the vehicle skids, turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid.


  • Do not use the brake until the vehicle is under control.


Staying Safe In A Roadside Emergency
If you must stop driving due to any emergency, it is essential that you protect yourself.
  • Get as far off the traveled roadway as possible.


  • Turn on the emergency flashers.


  • If the vehicle is on the shoulder of a busy highway, exit from the passenger side.


  • Safely set out flares or reflective triangles at least 200 feet behind your vehicle to alert other drivers.


  • Tie something white to the antenna as a signal to police that you need help. If you do not have an antenna, raise the hood.


  • Do not stand near your vehicle.


  • If you can leave your vehicle and get to another location safely, do so.


  • If you are in a neighborhood or area that does not seem safe to you, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked and call someone to come get you.


  • Be cautious. If someone stops to offer help, open your window slightly and ask them to call the police. If you have power windows that do not roll down slightly, keep them up and speak loudly.


  • Do not exit your vehicle or get into another vehicle with someone you do not know.


  • Program your cell phone with numbers to call in case of emergency (ICE).

See Vehicle Emergency Kit Items for a list of basic items to carry in your vehicle.

Previous Next:  Towing A Trailer
Updated Thursday, May 20, 2010
© The USAA Educational Foundation, 2000 - All rights reserved.



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