Avoiding Collisions and Equipment Failures

Key points

1. The three ways to avoid or reduce a collision are stopping quickly, turning quickly and speeding up.

   Source: Handbook p. 74

   “There are three things you can do to avoid or minimize the impact of a collision”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 74

2. You can usually turn the vehicle faster than you can stop it.

   Source: Handbook p. 74

   “In most cases, you can turn the vehicle more quickly than you can stop it.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 74

3. If you drive off the road, do not panic or brake hard; slow down until you can get back on safely.

   Source: Handbook p. 75

   “Don’t panic or brake hard. Slow down until you can get back on the road safely.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 75

4. If an oncoming car drifts into your lane, pull right, slow down and warn with your horn or lights; never pull into the opposing lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 75

   “If an oncoming vehicle is drifting into your lane, pull to the right as far as possible, slow down, and warn the other driver with your horn or lights. Never pull into the opposing lane”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 75

5. In a blowout, grip the wheel firmly, slow down gradually and pull off the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “Grip the steering wheel firmly. • Slow down gradually. • Pull off the road.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 84

6. If brakes fail, pump them, shift to a lower gear and slowly apply the parking brake.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “Pump the brakes. This may build up enough pressure to get them working again. • Shift to a lower gear so the engine can help slow you down. • Slowly apply the parking brake.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 85

7. If the accelerator sticks, shift to neutral, steer smoothly while braking and pull off when safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “Shift the vehicle to neutral. Use an open palm to avoid shifting into another gear. • Steer smoothly while braking. • Pull off the road when it is safe to do so.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 85

8. If a horseback rider raises a hand or an animal is clearly frightened, stop unless stopping would cause a collision.

   Source: Handbook p. 75

   “Stop your vehicle if a person riding on horseback or leading an animal raises a hand or it is obvious the animal is frightened, unless stopping would cause a collision.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 75

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Oregon practice test

1. 1. If a front tire blows out, what may happen to the vehicle?

   1. Steering may become difficult and the vehicle may pull strongly to one side
   2. The rear of the vehicle will always weave from side to side
   3. The steering wheel will lock while the engine stops immediately
   4. The vehicle will automatically brake in a straight line
   Show answer

   Steering may become difficult and the vehicle may pull strongly to one side. A front-tire blowout can make steering difficult and may create a strong pull toward one side. The rear-weave choice describes the manual’s warning about a rear blowout, not a front tire. A locked steering wheel and automatic braking are not stated effects and could cause a driver to wait for a vehicle response that will not occur. Grip the steering wheel firmly, reduce speed gradually, and pull off the road when possible. The practical cue is a sudden steering change or pull, followed by calm control rather than a sharp correction.

2. 2. If your brakes stop working while you are driving, which response is recommended first?

   1. Pump the brakes to try to rebuild pressure
   2. Turn off the engine immediately and release the steering wheel
   3. Accelerate until the brakes begin working again
   4. Shift into park while moving at road speed
   Show answer

   Pump the brakes to try to rebuild pressure. When the brake system fails, pumping the pedal may build enough pressure to restore braking. If that is not enough, Oregon recommends shifting lower, applying the parking brake slowly, warning others with the horn or lights, and easing onto the shoulder after slowing. Turning off the engine immediately can complicate vehicle control, while accelerating adds danger. Selecting park at speed can damage the drivetrain and does not provide a controlled stop. The practical cue is to preserve steering control while using several gradual ways to reduce speed.

3. 3. If your accelerator sticks, what should you do?

   1. Keep pressing the accelerator until it releases
   2. Shift to neutral, steer smoothly while braking, and pull off when safe
   3. Shift directly into reverse while moving forward
   4. Let go of the steering wheel so the vehicle can slow itself
   Show answer

   Shift to neutral, steer smoothly while braking, and pull off when safe. A stuck accelerator requires the driver to regain control of the vehicle's power and direction. Oregon's sequence is to search for an escape path, shift to neutral with an open palm, steer smoothly while braking, and leave the road when safe. Continuing to press the pedal increases speed. Reverse is not a normal emergency stopping gear and can create a second loss of control. Releasing the wheel abandons steering precisely when an escape path is needed. The cue is neutral first, then controlled braking and a safe pull-off.

Source: the Oregon Driver Manual, Safe & Responsible Driving: Avoiding a Collision and Equipment Failures. 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.