Page 62 - mv21

62 | Driver’s Manual

deer crossing signs. The New York State Depart- LOSS OF A WHEEL - Handle this as you would
ment of Environmental Conservation recommends a blowout. A thump or noise in the wheel can be
these precautions motorists can take to reduce a warning sound. Leave the roadway and stop.
the chance of a deer hit: Then check your vehicle or have it checked.

• Be careful when you drive at dawn and STEERING FAILURE - If your vehicle suddenly will
dusk; this is when driver visibility is bad and not respond when you steer, slowly take your foot
the deer are most active. off the gas pedal, turn on your emergency lights
and keep your foot off the brake pedal while it is
• The risk of deer-vehicle collisions increases safe to do so. The balance of the vehicle will allow
when deer movements increase during it to continue going straight, but a sudden change
breeding season in October, November in speed could send it out of control. As the vehi-
and December. cle decreases speed, you can brake very carefully
to bring it to a stop.
• Decrease speed when you approach deer
near roadsides. Deer can “bolt” or change BRAKE FAILURE - If your brake pedal suddenly
direction at the last minute. goes to the floor, try pumping it to increase pres-
sure. If that does not help, use your emergency or
• If you see a deer go across the road, de- parking brake – but use it gently. If you shift to a
crease speed and be careful. Deer travel in lower gear, it will help your vehicle
groups, expect other deer to follow. decrease speed.

• Use emergency lights or flash your head- HEADLIGHT FAILURE - If your headlights sud-
lights to warn other drivers when deer are denly go out, try your emergency lights, parking
seen on or near the road. lights and directional signals. These may continue
to work and can give you enough light to leave
• Use caution on roadways marked with deer the roadway safely. If your headlights begin to
crossing signs. These signs are put in areas dim, drive to a service station or pull off the road
that have had a large number of deer- and go for help.
vehicle collisions.
STUCK GAS PEDAL - Hook your shoe under the
DRIVING EMERGENCIES pedal and see if you can free it. If not, shift into
neutral and use the brake to slow your vehicle
The most important rule in any emergency is and get off the road. Do not turn off the ignition
do not panic. You have a better chance in an if your vehicle has power steering or a steering
emergency if you do not let fear take over. In most wheel that has a column that locks, because if
emergencies, you will have a second or two to you do, you will lose your power steering or not
think before you act. have the ability to steer at all.

Here is what to do in different emergency RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT - If your wheels
situations: move off the pavement, do not pull the steering
wheel back. Ease your foot off the gas pedal and
TIRE BLOWOUT - A thumping sound can be a brake gently. When your vehicle has decreased
warning that a blowout is about to occur. If you speed, check for traffic behind you, then turn
hear it, get safely off the road and check your carefully back onto the pavement.
tires. If a tire blows out, hold the steering wheel
tight and slowly take your foot off the gas pedal. If VEHICLE APPROACHING HEAD-ON IN YOUR
your vehicle skids, handle it as you would on ice LANE – Decrease speed, pull over to the right
or snow. Do not use your brake until your vehicle and sound your horn to warn the other driver.
is controlled. Leave the road when it is safe to Do not turn into the left lane. If you do, the other
do so. driver may suddenly recover and pull back into
that lane, causing a head-on collision.