Key points
Failure to yield the right of way is the most common factor in Indiana collisions.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“Among all collisions in Indiana, failure to yield the right of way is the most common factor.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58After an accident on the traveled highway, move your vehicle off the road nearby, unless there is injury, death, entrapment or hazardous materials.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“If the accident occurs on the traveled portion of a highway, the driver must move the vehicle off the highway to a location as close to the accident as possible. However, the driver should not move the motor vehicle if the accident involves the transportation of hazardous materials or results in injury, death, or entrapment.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58Stay at the scene and give your name, address and registration number, and show your license.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“The driver must remain at the scene of the accident, giving their name, address, and registration number of the motor vehicle to everyone involved, in addition to showing his or her driver’s license.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58If a collision is possible, turn away from oncoming traffic, even if it means leaving the road.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“If a collision looks possible, turn away from oncoming traffic, even if it means leaving the road.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 58If your car plunges into water, do not try to open a door.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“If your vehicle plunges into water, do not attempt to open a door.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 59Place a red reflective triangle 200 feet behind your vehicle, or 500 feet on a hill or curve.
Source: Handbook p. 60
“Your red emergency reflective triangle should be placed 200 feet behind your vehicle, or 500 feet behind your vehicle if you are on a hill or curve.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 60In a blowout, hold the wheel firmly, keep straight, slow gradually and do not brake.
Source: Handbook p. 60
“In a situation with a flat tire or blowout, you should hold the steering wheel firmly and keep the car going straight. Slow down gradually. Take your foot off the gas pedal, but do not apply the brakes.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 60If conventional brakes fail, shift to a lower gear and pump the pedal fast and hard.
Source: Handbook p. 60
“If your vehicle’s conventional disc or drum brakes suddenly fail, you should shift to a lower gear, if possible, and pump the brake pedal fast and hard several times.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 60Never turn the ignition to lock while moving, or the steering will lock.
Source: Handbook p. 60
“never turn the ignition to the lock position while the vehicle is in motion.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 60Signing a traffic ticket is not an admission of guilt, only an acknowledgment that you received it.
Source: Handbook p. 61
“Signing a ticket is not an admission of the driver’s guilt, but only an acknowledgment of receiving the ticket.”
Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 61
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 200 feet, or 500 on a hill or curve | where to place a reflective triangle | Handbook p. 60 |
3 questions from the Indiana practice test
1. If a collision occurs on the traveled portion of a highway without injury, what should the driver generally do after stopping?
- Leave the vehicle in the travel lane until police arrive
- Drive home before exchanging information
- Move the vehicle off the highway as close to the accident as possible
- Move it only if the other driver agrees
Show answer
Move the vehicle off the highway as close to the accident as possible. Indiana requires a driver involved in a crash to stop immediately or as close as possible without creating unnecessary obstruction. When the accident is on the traveled portion of a highway, the vehicle should be moved off the highway to a nearby location. The manual identifies exceptions when hazardous materials, injury, death, or entrapment are involved, so those circumstances call for leaving the vehicle in place. Do not depart before exchanging required information. The key decision is whether the stated exception makes moving unsafe or improper.
2. How far behind a disabled vehicle should a red emergency reflective triangle normally be placed on the roadside?
- Exactly 1,000 feet regardless of the road
- 50 feet in every location
- 100 feet unless the vehicle is on a divided highway
- 200 feet, or 500 feet on a hill or curve
Show answer
200 feet, or 500 feet on a hill or curve. Indiana's roadside emergency guidance places a red emergency reflective triangle 200 feet behind the disabled vehicle under ordinary conditions. If the vehicle is on a hill or curve, the distance increases to 500 feet so approaching motorists have more warning before reaching the obstruction. Fifty feet gives too little advance notice, and the 100-foot alternative belongs to other warning-device rules. The manual does not create a universal 1,000-foot placement. First identify whether the roadway shape limits visibility, then use the longer placement when needed.
3. If conventional disc or drum brakes suddenly fail, which response is recommended first?
- Shift lower and pump the brake pedal fast and hard
- Release the steering wheel and coast in neutral
- Turn sharply toward the nearest curb
- Apply the accelerator to restore brake pressure
Show answer
Shift lower and pump the brake pedal fast and hard. With conventional disc or drum brake failure, the manual advises shifting to a lower gear if possible and pumping the brake pedal fast and hard several times. That action may build enough pressure to stop the vehicle. A sharp turn can cause a collision or loss of control, while coasting in neutral removes engine braking. Pressing the accelerator cannot restore braking. If the parking brake is tried, the release should be held so it can be released if the rear wheels lock.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free Indiana practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 8: Accidents and Emergency Situations. 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.