Brake failure, blowouts and other vehicle emergencies

Key points

1. If your brakes stop working, first pump the brake pedal several times to build up pressure.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “Pump the brake pedal several times. This often builds up enough brake pressure to let you stop.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 77

2. If a tire blows out, hold the wheel tightly, keep going straight and slow down gradually.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the vehicle going straight. ■ Slow down gradually.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 77

3. If the gas pedal sticks, keep your eyes on the road, quickly shift to neutral and brake steadily.

   Source: Handbook p. 77

   “Keep your eyes on the road. ■ Quickly shift to neutral. ■ Apply steady pressure on the brake.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 77

4. If your right wheels leave the pavement, take your foot off the gas and steer parallel to the road, then ease back on when slowed.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “Take your foot off the accelerator and steer parallel to the road. ■ When slowed down, ease back on the road when it’s safe.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 78

5. With ABS, press the brake as hard as you can and keep pressing, even if the pedal pushes back.

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep pressing on it.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 78

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

   Source: Handbook p. 78

   “In avoiding a collision, drivers have three options: (1) stop, (2) turn, and (3) speed up.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 78

7. If you break down, get off the road if at all possible and turn on your emergency flashers.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “If at all possible, get your vehicle off the road and away from traffic. ■ Turn on your emergency flashers to show you are having trouble.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56

8. If you cannot get off the road, stop where others can see you, not just over a hill or around a curve.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “If you cannot get your vehicle off the roadway, try to stop where other drivers have a clear view of your vehicle. Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57

9. Never stand in the roadway, and do not change a tire if it means being in a traffic lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 57

   “Never stand in the roadway. Do not even try to change a tire if it means you have to be in a traffic lane.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Montana practice test

1. 1. If the brake pedal stops working, which first response is recommended?

   1. Apply the parking brake sharply
   2. Turn off the ignition immediately at speed
   3. Pump the brake pedal several times
   4. Shift into reverse and steer toward traffic
   Show answer

   Pump the brake pedal several times. A loss of normal braking calls for a controlled sequence. Montana advises pumping the pedal several times because that may build enough pressure to stop. Snatching the parking brake can lock the rear wheels, and switching off the ignition at speed is not the first step listed for brake failure. Reverse gear is not an emergency stopping method. If pumping fails, use the parking brake gradually, then lower gears and a safe place off the road.

2. 2. What should you do first when the engine keeps increasing speed because the gas pedal sticks?

   1. Quickly shift to neutral
   2. Pump the accelerator repeatedly
   3. Turn the steering wheel off the road before braking
   4. Open the hood while moving
   Show answer

   Quickly shift to neutral. A stuck accelerator requires the driver to separate engine power from the wheels while keeping control. The manual directs the driver to keep watching the road and quickly shift to neutral, then apply steady brake pressure, pull off safely, and turn off the engine. Repeatedly pumping the accelerator can preserve the problem. Steering away before slowing increases risk, and opening the hood is impossible to do safely while moving.

3. 3. What should you do when a vehicle is disabled and cannot be moved off the roadway?

   1. Remain just over a hill so traffic can pass behind you
   2. Stop where approaching drivers have a clear view and warn them
   3. Stand in the roadway to direct every approaching vehicle
   4. Turn off all lights so the battery will last longer
   Show answer

   Stop where approaching drivers have a clear view and warn them. If a disabled vehicle cannot be moved from the roadway, Montana advises stopping where other drivers have a clear view and warning road users that the vehicle is present. Emergency flashers, flares, or another warning device can help drivers change lanes. Stopping just over a hill or around a curve hides the hazard until it is too late. The driver should never stand in the travel lane. Choose visibility and personal safety together, using a safe roadside position while help is arranged.

Source: the Montana Driver Manual, Chapter 7: Emergencies, Crashes, and Enforcement Stops. 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.