Skids, brake failure, blowouts and other emergencies

Key points

1. In a skid, let off the gas, keep off the brake, let the car slow and turn where you want to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Let off the gas. Keep your foot away from the brake pedal and the clutch (if applicable). Let the vehicle slow gradually. Turn in the direction you want the vehicle to go.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42

2. With anti lock brakes, do not pump: press the pedal firmly and hold it until you stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump the brake. Press the pedal firmly and maintain pressure until the vehicle stops.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42

3. If the brake pedal goes to the floor, pump it; after 3 or 4 pumps you will know if the brakes will hold.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Pump the brake pedal. Pumping might temporarily restore enough brake fluid pressure to slow or stop your vehicle. You will know after three (3) or four (4) pumps if your brakes are going to hold.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42

4. After a blowout, grip the wheel with 2 hands and ease off the gas. Do not brake at first.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Grip the steering wheel firmly with two (2) hands. Ease up on the accelerator to slow the vehicle. Do not brake.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42

5. If the accelerator sticks, shift to neutral while braking and steer toward an escape path.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Shift the car to NEUTRAL at the same time you apply the brake.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

6. After running off the road, slow gently to 5 or 10 mph before steering back on.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Let up on the accelerator and brake gently to five (5) or ten (10) mph. Avoid hard braking.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

7. If a head on collision threatens, steer right toward the shoulder or curb, never left.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Steer right toward the shoulder or curb-line. Do not steer left.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

8. If you stall on tracks with a train coming, get everyone out and off the tracks, and move as far away as possible.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “Get yourself and any passengers out of your vehicle and off the tracks, and move as far from the tracks as possible.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 44

9. If smoke comes from under the hood, pull off, turn off the ignition and move away from the vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “Pull immediately off the road, turn your ignition to the off position, and move away from the vehicle.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

10. Never use cruise control in rain or snow; if you hydroplane, the car can speed up.

    Source: Handbook p. 45

    “NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN OR SNOW WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON. If the cruise control is on when your car begins to hydroplane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed”
    Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Rhode Island practice test

1. 1. What is the first step if the brake pedal goes to the floor?

   1. Turn off the engine immediately
   2. Pump the brake pedal
   3. Accelerate toward the shoulder
   4. Steer into oncoming traffic
   Show answer

   Pump the brake pedal. When the brake pedal drops to the floor, the manual first directs the driver to pump it. Several pumps may temporarily restore enough pressure to slow or stop the vehicle, so the driver can then continue with the other emergency steps. Downshifting and carefully engaging the parking brake are also part of the procedure, but they are not the first action asked for here. Do not accelerate or steer into danger. The practical cue is a sudden pedal with no resistance: pump promptly while looking for an open zone and preparing to reduce speed.

2. 2. What is the safest first response to a tire blowout?

   1. Accelerate so the tire can clear the roadway quickly
   2. Brake hard and turn sharply toward the shoulder
   3. Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and avoid braking at first
   4. Shift into reverse while the vehicle is still moving
   Show answer

   Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and avoid braking at first. A blowout can make the vehicle pull or vibrate, so hold the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle traveling straight while easing off the accelerator. Avoid braking immediately because a sudden brake application can worsen the loss of control. Once speed has fallen and the vehicle is stable, move carefully to a safe location. Hard braking and a sharp turn are the most dangerous distractors because they add abrupt forces. The cue is control first, slowing second, and steering off the roadway only when stable.

3. 3. If an accelerator pedal sticks to the floor, what should the driver do while moving toward safety?

   1. Pump the accelerator until the engine stops
   2. Shift to reverse and accelerate
   3. Turn off the ignition before steering
   4. Shift to neutral while applying the brake
   Show answer

   Shift to neutral while applying the brake. A stuck accelerator can keep the drive wheels powered, so the manual directs the driver to shift to NEUTRAL while applying the brake. Then choose an escape path toward an open area, continue braking, leave the roadway, and turn off the ignition once safely off the road. Turning off the ignition immediately may make steering harder while the vehicle is still moving. Reverse is not an emergency control technique, and repeatedly pumping the accelerator can worsen the situation. Remember the sequence as neutral, brake, escape path, roadway exit, ignition off.

Source: the Rhode Island Driver's Manual, V. Driving 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.