Stuck pedals, fires, floods and crashes

Key points

1. If your gas pedal sticks, keep your eyes on the road and put the gear shift in neutral.

   Source: Handbook p. 117

   “If your gas pedal sticks, keep your eyes on the road: 1. Put the gear shift in neutral.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 117

2. If smoke comes from under the hood, drive off the road, stop and turn off the engine.

   Source: Handbook p. 117

   “Drive off the road clear of traffic and stop. 2. Turn off the engine and all electrical switches.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 117

3. Do not use water on a gasoline, oil or electrical fire.

   Source: Handbook p. 117

   “Do not use water on gasoline, oil or an electrical fire.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 117

4. If you break down after dark, put flares at least 100 feet behind your car.

   Source: Handbook p. 118

   “If it is dark, turn on the interior dome light, or, if you have flares, put them at least 100 feet behind your car.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 118

5. Six inches of water reaches the bottom of most cars, and 2 feet of rushing water can carry most vehicles away.

   Source: Handbook p. 119

   “Remember, 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling and 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 119

6. A vehicle in water floats only 30 to 60 seconds, so get out immediately.

   Source: Handbook p. 119

   “If your vehicle enters water, it will only float on the surface for 30 to 60 seconds so make every attempt to get out of the vehicle immediately.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 119

7. After a crash, stop immediately if it is clear and safe, and do not leave without identifying yourself.

   Source: Handbook p. 120

   “Stop your vehicle immediately if it is clear and safe. Do not leave the scene of the crash without identifying yourself.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 120

8. Louisiana's Move It law asks you to move vehicles from the roadway to the nearest soft shoulder.

   Source: Handbook p. 121

   “is an attempt to make the public aware of your responsibility to remove vehicles from the roadway to the nearest soft shoulder.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 121

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Louisiana practice test

1. 1. If smoke comes from under your vehicle's hood, what is the first safe response?

   1. Drive clear of traffic, stop, and turn off the engine
   2. Keep driving until the smoke disappears
   3. Open the hood while the vehicle is moving
   4. Pour water over the engine before stopping
   Show answer

   Drive clear of traffic, stop, and turn off the engine. Smoke under the hood may signal an engine fire or another serious failure. Move off the roadway clear of traffic, stop, and shut down the engine before doing anything else. Continuing to drive can feed a fire and leaves passengers exposed. Opening the hood while moving is unsafe and may intensify flames once air reaches them. Water is especially inappropriate for gasoline, oil, or electrical fires. The practical cue is separation: stop away from traffic, switch off, and get everyone out and away.

2. 2. When the gas pedal sticks, what should you do first?

   1. Turn the ignition to lock immediately at highway speed
   2. Pump the accelerator repeatedly while speeding up
   3. Shift the vehicle into neutral
   4. Open the driver's door to slow the vehicle
   Show answer

   Shift the vehicle into neutral. A stuck accelerator can keep the engine driving the vehicle, so the first listed action is to disconnect that drive by shifting into neutral. Then keep your eyes on the road, try to free the pedal safely, turn the ignition off without locking the steering, brake, and pull over. Repeatedly pumping the accelerator may maintain the problem. Locking the ignition while moving can interfere with steering, and opening a door is not a controlled braking method. Neutral is the immediate control cue.

3. 3. After a property damage crash, what should you do to reduce the risk of another collision?

   1. Park across a lane so approaching traffic must stop
   2. Leave both vehicles in the travel lanes until every report is finished
   3. Drive away if the vehicles can still move under their own power
   4. Remove the vehicles from the roadway to the nearest soft shoulder when possible
   Show answer

   Remove the vehicles from the roadway to the nearest soft shoulder when possible. Louisiana's Move It campaign emphasizes clearing damaged vehicles from the roadway when it can be done safely. Moving them toward the nearest soft shoulder reduces congestion and lowers the chance of a secondary crash. Leaving vehicles in active lanes may expose everyone to another impact, while driving away abandons collision responsibilities. Do not create a new hazard while moving a disabled vehicle, and handle the required exchange of information after the scene is made safer. The practical cue is simple: protect people first, then deal with paperwork away from moving traffic whenever possible.

Source: the Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Chapter 8: Driving Hazards and 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.