Vehicle emergencies and crashes

Key points

1. If you skid, release the brake or accelerator and turn the wheel into the skid.

   Source: Section 10

   “When you begin to skid, release pressure from the brake or accelerator and turn the wheel into the skid.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

2. Treat a dead traffic signal as a four-way stop unless an officer is directing traffic.

   Source: Section 10

   “drivers must treat the non-working traffic signal as a four-way stop.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

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

   Source: Section 10

   “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.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

4. If the accelerator sticks, turn on your flashers, shift to neutral and find an escape route.

   Source: Section 10

   “Turn on emergency flashers, shift to “NEUTRAL” gear, and search for an escape route.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

5. After a blowout, grip the wheel firmly and keep going straight. Do not brake; slow down gradually.

   Source: Section 10

   “Grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle going straight. Do not brake; slow down gradually.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

6. If you break down, place flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle if possible.

   Source: Section 10

   “If possible, place emergency flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

7. Do not leave a crash scene until you exchange contact and insurance information, leaving a note on an unattended vehicle.

   Source: Section 10

   “Do not leave the scene until you have exchanged contact and insurance information with those involved, which includes leaving a note if the damaged vehicle was not occupied.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

8. Call 911 if anyone is injured, and do not move the injured.

   Source: Section 10

   “Call emergency services (911) if anyone has been injured. Do not move the injured; keep them warm.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

9. You may file a crash report with the BMV within six months if damage exceeded $400 or someone was hurt and the other driver was uninsured.

   Source: Section 10

   “within six months after the crash if both of the following apply: There was damage in excess of $400, or personal injury; and The driver or owner of the other vehicle did not have insurance or other financial responsibility coverage at the time of the crash.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Ohio practice test

1. 1. If your brakes fail while driving, how should you use the parking brake?

   1. Apply it slowly so the rear wheels do not lock
   2. Pull it as hard as possible at highway speed
   3. Use it only after turning into traffic
   4. Ignore it and coast until the vehicle stops
   Show answer

   Apply it slowly so the rear wheels do not lock. During brake failure, Ohio advises using the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and causing a skid. Pulling it hard at speed is dangerous because locked rear wheels can make the vehicle rotate or slide. Keep a firm grip, stay as straight as possible, and look for a safe escape area. The cue is loss of normal brake response: shift attention to controlled slowing, emergency flashers, and getting off the roadway.

2. 2. If a tire blows out while driving, what braking response does Ohio recommend?

   1. Shift to park before slowing
   2. Brake as hard as possible immediately
   3. Pump the brake pedal while steering sharply
   4. Do not brake; slow down gradually
   Show answer

   Do not brake; slow down gradually. For a tire blowout, Ohio says to grip the wheel, keep the vehicle straight, avoid braking, and slow down gradually. Hard braking can make the vehicle harder to control, especially if the damaged tire is pulling or wobbling. The shift-to-park choice is unsafe while moving. The cue is a sudden pull, shake, or wobble. Hold the steering wheel firmly, let speed bleed off, and then pull off safely with hazard lights.

3. 3. After a crash with an unattended vehicle, what must the driver do?

   1. Wait 24 hours before deciding whether to report it
   2. Leave only if the damage appears minor
   3. Report it to police or leave necessary information at the scene
   4. Move the unattended vehicle before leaving
   Show answer

   Report it to police or leave necessary information at the scene. Ohio requires a driver involved in a crash with an unattended vehicle to contact police or leave the needed information at the scene. The minor-damage choice is risky because the duty is not erased just because the driver thinks the damage is small. Look for the cue that no owner or driver is present. Leave contact and insurance details where they can be found, and notify law enforcement when reporting is needed.

Source: the Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 10: 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.