Vehicle Emergencies

Key points

1. If your brakes fail, apply the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels.

   Source: Handbook p. 66

   “If your brakes stop working while driving, use the parking brake. • Apply the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 66

2. With ABS, press the brake pedal as hard as possible and stay on it.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “To use ABS, press the brake pedal as hard as possible and apply pressure. ABS only works if you stay on the brake pedal.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 67

3. After a breakdown, put flares or triangles 200 to 300 feet behind your vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Put emergency flares or triangles 200 to 300 feet behind your vehicle, giving other drivers time to change lanes or slow down.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 67

4. If a front tire blows out, the vehicle pulls hard toward the blown tire; do not slam on the brakes.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “If a front tire blows out, your vehicle will pull hard toward the blown tire. Do not slam on the brakes.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 67

5. If the gas pedal sticks, shift to neutral, steer smoothly, brake gently and pull off.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “If your vehicle is speeding out of control, shift to neutral and look for a safe place to pull off, steer smoothly, brake gently, and pull off the road.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 67

6. If the engine dies, grip the wheel firmly; it is hard to turn but you can steer.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel if the engine shuts off while driving. The steering wheel may be hard to turn, but you can turn it.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 67

7. If your wheels drop off the pavement, slow down gradually, then turn back on.

   Source: Handbook p. 68

   “Slow down gradually and then turn back onto the roadway.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 68

8. A vehicle in water floats only 30 to 60 seconds, so try to get out at once.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “If your vehicle enters water, it will only float on the surface for 30 to 60 seconds so immediately attempt to get out of the vehicle.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 62

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Utah practice test

1. 1. After a breakdown, how far behind your vehicle should emergency flares or triangles be placed?

   1. 20 to 30 feet
   2. Immediately against the rear bumper
   3. 500 to 600 feet
   4. 200 to 300 feet
   Show answer

   200 to 300 feet. Place emergency flares or triangles 200 to 300 feet behind the disabled vehicle to give approaching motorists time to slow or change lanes. A warning tucked against the rear bumper becomes visible too close to the obstruction to serve that purpose well. First get the vehicle off the roadway and away from traffic. Think of the warning devices as advance notice for a driver approaching from behind, rather than a marker only for your parking position.

2. 2. A front tire suddenly blows out. What should you expect from the vehicle?

   1. Only vibration, with no change in the direction of travel
   2. A hard pull toward the side with the blown tire
   3. A hard pull away from the damaged tire
   4. Normal steering until the brake pedal is pressed
   Show answer

   A hard pull toward the side with the blown tire. A front-tire blowout can pull the vehicle strongly toward the failed tire. Expecting it to pull away from that side can lead you to misread the first abrupt movement. Hold the steering wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, and reduce speed gradually rather than slamming on the brakes. A sudden sideways tug together with a tire failure is your cue to focus on maintaining control before pulling off to a safe location.

3. 3. Your brakes fail while driving and you use the parking brake. How should you apply it?

   1. As sharply as possible to lock the rear wheels
   2. Fully in one motion, then release it only after stopping
   3. Slowly, to avoid locking the rear wheels
   4. Repeatedly and fully without releasing it during a skid
   Show answer

   Slowly, to avoid locking the rear wheels. Apply the parking brake slowly when using it after the service brakes fail. Snapping it on to lock the rear wheels can cause a skid and reduce your ability to control the vehicle. Be prepared to release it if skidding begins. The loss of normal braking is the cue to use the backup carefully while looking for a safe stopping location, rather than making an abrupt application out of panic.

Source: the Utah Driver Handbook, Section 12: Emergencies and Avoiding Crashes. 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.