CDL Driving Safely: Driving Emergencies

Steer to Avoid Crashes

Controlled braking: apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels.
- Keep steering wheel movements small.
- If you need to make a larger steering adjustment, or if the wheels lock, release the brakes.
- Re-apply as soon as you can.
Stab braking: apply your brakes all the way and release when the wheels lock up
- As soon as the wheels start rolling, apply the brakes again.
- Don’t jam on the brakes as hard as you can. It can cause you to skid. If you skid, you cannot control the vehicle.

Brake failure can occur due to hydraulic pressure loss.
If the system can’t build up pressure, the pedal will feel spongy or go to the floor.
- Downshift to slow the vehicle.
- Pump the brakes to generate pressure.
- Use the parking or emergency brake.
- Find an escape route or ramp.
Brake pressure on downgrades:
- Find an escape ramp.
- If cannot find one, take the least hazardous escape route you can as soon as possible.
Tire failure
- Recognizing as soon as possible is important.
- Makes a distinctive “bang” sound
- If the vehicle thumps or vibrates heavily, a tire may be flat.
- If the steering is heavy, it is a sign the front tire is failed.
- The failure of a rear tire can cause a vehicle to “fishtail” or slide back and forth.
- When a tire fails, you should:
  - Hold the Steering wheel firmly.
  - Brake very gently, pull off the road and stop.
  - Check all tires before proceeding with your journey.

Computerized system that keeps your wheels from locking up during hard brake applications.
In addition to your normal brakes.
Does not decrease or increase your normal braking capacity
Only activates when wheels are about to lock up.
Does not shorten stopping distance, but can help you keep the vehicle under control
Sensors detect potential wheel lock up.
Brake pressure is decreased by an electric control unit.
Works faster than a driver can alleviate the problem.

Skids happen when tires lose their grip on the road.
Can be caused by:
- Over braking
- Over steering
- Over accelerating
- Driving too fast.
Drive wheel skids.
- The most common skid occurs when rear wheels lose traction.
- Skids caused by acceleration usually happen on ice or snow.
  - Can be resolved by taking your foot off the accelerator
- Braking skids occur when the rear drive wheels lock.
  - Stop braking.
  - Counter steer to get back on course.
- Front wheel skids
  - Occur when driving too fast
  - Let the vehicle slow down