Brake failure, blowouts and other vehicle failures

Key points

1. If your brakes fail, apply the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels do not lock.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “Use the parking brake. Pull on the parking brake handle in the center console or push the parking brake foot pedal slowly so you will not lock the rear wheels and cause a skid.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56

2. If that does not work, turn off the engine and find a safe place to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “If that does not work, turn off the engine and look for a safe place to slow to a stop.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56

3. If a front tire blows out, the car pulls sharply toward the blowout.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “If a front tire blows out, the vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56

4. After a blowout, grip the wheel, keep going straight and take your foot off the gas.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “Grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle going straight. Slow down gradually. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56

5. Do not brake after a blowout. Let the car slow itself, or brake gently if needed.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “Do not brake. Allow the vehicle to slow by itself or brake gently if necessary.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56

6. If the engine dies, the steering may be hard to turn, but you can still turn it.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel. Be aware that the steering wheel may be difficult to turn, but you can turn it.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57

7. Brake with steady pressure, not hard, and pull off the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “Look for an escape path. Do not brake hard; instead, brake with steady pressure on the pedal, slow down, and then pull off the roadway.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57

8. If the accelerator sticks, turn off the engine, shift to neutral, brake gently and pull off.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “Turn off the engine. Shift to neutral and search for an escape path. Steer smoothly, brake gently, and pull off the roadway.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57

9. Place flares about 200 to 300 feet behind a disabled vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “Place emergency flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle, giving other drivers some time to change lanes if necessary.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57

10. If you cannot get off the road, stop where you can be seen. Never stop just over a hill or around a curve.

    Source: Handbook p. 57

    “If you cannot get completely off the roadway, try to stop where your vehicle can be seen from a distance. Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve.”
    Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. If the brakes stop working while you are driving, what should you try first?

   1. Use the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels do not lock
   2. Press the accelerator to restore hydraulic pressure
   3. Turn sharply toward the nearest travel lane
   4. Continue driving until the warning light turns off
   Show answer

   Use the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels do not lock. For brake failure, the manual directs a driver to use the parking brake slowly and be ready to release it if the vehicle begins to skid. A gradual application helps avoid locking the rear wheels. Accelerating cannot repair failed brakes, and a sharp turn creates another loss-of-control risk. Continuing to drive with ineffective brakes is especially dangerous. If the parking brake does not work, turn off the engine and find a safe place to stop off the roadway.

2. 2. What sequence is recommended when a vehicle is accelerating out of control?

   1. Pump the accelerator until the engine responds normally
   2. Lock the brakes and keep the vehicle in the travel lane
   3. Shift into park while moving and open the driver's door
   4. Turn off the engine, shift to neutral, steer smoothly, and pull off
   Show answer

   Turn off the engine, shift to neutral, steer smoothly, and pull off. An out-of-control acceleration problem requires reducing the engine's ability to drive the vehicle and creating a controlled escape path. The manual lists turning off the engine, shifting to neutral, steering smoothly, braking gently, and pulling off the roadway. Locking the brakes can produce a skid, while park is not a normal moving-vehicle gear and opening a door adds another hazard. Pumping the accelerator keeps applying the control that is malfunctioning. Once safely stopped, the pedal should be repaired before the vehicle is driven again.

3. 3. After an engine shuts off while driving, what braking method does the Kentucky manual recommend?

   1. Brake hard immediately and keep moving straight
   2. Use steady pressure, slow down, and pull off the roadway
   3. Release the brake completely until the engine restarts
   4. Use repeated sharp steering instead of braking
   Show answer

   Use steady pressure, slow down, and pull off the roadway. A power failure can make steering difficult, but the vehicle can still be guided. The manual says to look for an escape path, avoid hard braking, use steady pressure on the pedal, slow down, and then pull off the roadway. Hard braking may reduce control, while abandoning the brake or replacing it with sharp steering does not bring the disabled vehicle to a safe stop. Keep a strong grip on the wheel, maintain deliberate pedal pressure, and attempt a restart only after reaching a safe stopping location.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Nine: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes. 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.