Avoiding collisions, animals and vehicle failures

Key points

1. To avoid a collision you have three options: slow down or stop, turn, or speed up.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “To avoid a collision, drivers have three options: Slow down or stop Turn Speed up”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 25

2. With ABS, brake with hard, firm pressure.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “With ABS: Apply the brakes with hard, firm pressure.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 25

3. It is generally better to run off the road than to crash head on into another vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “generally it is better to run off the road than to crash head-on into another vehicle.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

4. About 90% of deer and elk crashes happen between dusk and dawn.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “between dusk and dawn when approximately 90% of crashes with deer and elk occur.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

5. If brakes fail, take your foot off the gas and pump the brake pedal several times.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Brake failure: Take your foot off the accelerator. Pump the brake pedal several times.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

6. If pumping fails, apply the parking brake slowly so you do not lock the rear wheels.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “push on the parking brake pedal slowly so you will not lock the rear wheels and cause a skid.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

7. After a blowout, hold the wheel tightly, keep straight and slow down gradually.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Hold the steering wheel tightly, and keep the vehicle going straight as you slow down gradually.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

8. If power steering fails, the brakes still work, but you may have to push very hard.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “The brakes will still work but you may have to push very hard on the brake pedal.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

9. With a jammed gas pedal, keep your eyes on the road and quickly shift to neutral.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Jammed gas pedal: Keep your eyes on the road. Quickly shift to neutral.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 26

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Colorado practice test

1. 1. When stopping quickly with ABS, what does the Colorado handbook advise?

   1. Use the parking brake before touching the service brake
   2. Pump the pedal rapidly until the vehicle stops
   3. Release the pedal as soon as it pushes back
   4. Apply hard, firm pressure and keep the brake pedal down
   Show answer

   Apply hard, firm pressure and keep the brake pedal down. With ABS, press the brake pedal firmly and keep it depressed while the system works. A pulsing or pushing-back sensation is expected and is not a signal to release the pedal. Pumping is associated with older braking habits and can reduce the driver's control of an ABS-equipped vehicle. The parking brake is not the first response to an urgent stop. Keep steering control, look where you want to go, and let the anti-lock system help prevent a skid.

2. 2. If the brake pedal stops slowing the vehicle, what should a Colorado driver try first?

   1. Take the foot off the accelerator and pump the brake pedal
   2. Pull the parking brake hard and lock the rear wheels
   3. Turn off the ignition and coast without steering
   4. Continue driving until the brakes cool down
   Show answer

   Take the foot off the accelerator and pump the brake pedal. For brake failure, Colorado advises removing the foot from the accelerator and pumping the brake pedal several times. That pumping may rebuild enough pressure to stop. If it does not, apply the parking brake slowly, because locking the rear wheels can produce a skid. Lower gears can help after those steps, but the vehicle must be brought off the roadway and should not be driven without functioning brakes. Shutting off the ignition or coasting removes useful control rather than restoring braking.

3. 3. What is the recommended first response when the gas pedal is jammed?

   1. Turn the steering wheel sharply toward oncoming traffic
   2. Pump the accelerator until it releases
   3. Shift quickly to neutral while keeping your eyes on the road
   4. Turn off the engine before controlling the vehicle
   Show answer

   Shift quickly to neutral while keeping your eyes on the road. A jammed accelerator can keep the vehicle moving faster than intended, so the first priority is to stop the engine from driving the wheels while maintaining visual control. The handbook directs the driver to keep eyes on the road and quickly shift to neutral, then pull off when safe and turn off the engine. Pumping the stuck pedal may worsen the problem. A sharp move toward oncoming traffic creates a new hazard, and switching off the engine before stabilizing the car can reduce control unexpectedly.

Source: the Colorado Driver Handbook, Emergencies and Vehicle Emergencies. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.