Emergency braking, skids and vehicle failures

Key points

1. With ABS, press the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep pressing on it.

   Source: Handbook p. 73

   “Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep pressing on it.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 73

2. Without ABS, apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking them.

   Source: Handbook p. 73

   “Apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking them.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 73

3. If your brakes fail, pump the brake pedal rapidly several times to build up pressure.

   Source: Handbook p. 75

   “Rapidly pump the brake pedal several times. This will often build up enough brake pressure to allow you to stop.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 75

4. In a blowout, grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle going straight.

   Source: Handbook p. 75

   “Grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle going straight.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 75

5. If the accelerator sticks, shift to neutral and look for an escape path.

   Source: Handbook p. 75

   “Shift to neutral and search for an escape path.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 75

6. If your wheels drop off the pavement, steer straight ahead and slow to 25 mph or less.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “Steer straight ahead and slow to 25 mph or less.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 76

7. Then turn the wheel about one quarter turn to get back on the pavement, and do not oversteer.

   Source: Handbook p. 76

   “turn the steering wheel about one quarter-turn to return to the pavement. DO NOT OVERSTEER.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 76

8. If rear traction is lost in a skid, steer where you want to go and keep looking there.

   Source: Handbook p. 74

   “If rear traction is lost, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the intended path of travel”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 74

9. If your car breaks down, put flares about 200 to 300 feet behind it.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Place emergency flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle, giving other drivers some time to change lanes if necessary.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 69

10. If you are hit from the rear, press against your seat back with your head against the head restraint.

    Source: Handbook p. 74

    “Press yourself against the back of your seat and put your head against the head restraint.”
    Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 74

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kansas practice test

1. 1. If a vehicle with anti-lock brakes must stop quickly, how should the driver use the brake pedal?

   1. Pump it repeatedly and release it after each pulse
   2. Press as hard as possible and keep pressing it
   3. Press lightly while steering sharply
   4. Avoid the brake and use the parking brake instead
   Show answer

   Press as hard as possible and keep pressing it. With ABS, the handbook directs the driver to press the brake pedal as hard as possible and keep pressure on it. The system is designed to help the vehicle stop without skidding, and the pedal may push back while it operates. Pumping the pedal can interfere with the system, while light pressure or a parking-brake maneuver reduces stopping control. In an urgent stop, keep both hands ready to steer and maintain firm pedal pressure until the vehicle stops.

2. 2. If the brake pedal stops working, what should a driver try first?

   1. Rapidly pump the brake pedal several times
   2. Turn off the engine and remove the key immediately
   3. Pull the parking brake fully and lock the rear wheels
   4. Continue driving until the brakes restore themselves
   Show answer

   Rapidly pump the brake pedal several times. The first listed response to brake failure is to pump the brake pedal rapidly several times. That action may rebuild enough hydraulic pressure to permit a stop. If it does not work, the handbook moves to careful parking-brake use, then finding a safe place to slow off the roadway. Pulling the parking brake at full force can lock the rear wheels and cause a skid. Keep the vehicle controlled, warn others with flashers when possible, and never continue normal travel with failed brakes.

3. 3. If the accelerator pedal is stuck down, what is the safest sequence?

   1. Turn off the vehicle before shifting or steering
   2. Pump the accelerator until it returns to normal
   3. Turn the steering wheel sharply and keep accelerating
   4. Shift to neutral, steer smoothly, brake gently, and pull off the roadway
   Show answer

   Shift to neutral, steer smoothly, brake gently, and pull off the roadway. A stuck accelerator is treated as an accelerator failure. Shift to neutral first so the engine no longer drives the wheels, then search for a safe escape path. Keep steering smoothly, use gentle braking, and pull off the roadway. Turning the vehicle off immediately is not the handbook sequence, because control and a safe path come first. Pumping the pedal can waste time while the vehicle continues moving. Once stopped, the vehicle should be turned off and the pedal repaired at a service center before driving again.

Source: the Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 8: Avoiding Collisions 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.