Blowouts, fires and other vehicle emergencies

Key points

1. In a blowout, hold the wheel tightly, steer straight and ease off the gas; do not brake until the vehicle is under control.

   Source: PDF page 80

   “To regain control, hold tightly to the steering wheel, steer straight ahead, and ease up on the accelerator. Do not brake until the vehicle is under control.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 80

2. If the engine overheats, pull off and turn it off, and do not remove the radiator cap until it cools.

   Source: PDF page 81

   “If the warning light or gauge shows the engine is overheating, pull off the road and turn the engine off. Do not remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled off.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 81

3. In a skid, stay calm and do not brake unless you are about to hit something; concentrate on steering.

   Source: PDF page 81

   “If your vehicle begins to skid, stay calm. Do not use your brakes unless you are in danger of hitting something. Concentrate on steering out of trouble.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 81

4. If you suddenly lose steering control, ease up on the accelerator.

   Source: PDF page 82

   “If you suddenly lose steering control, ease up on the accelerator.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 82

5. If smoke comes from under the hood, get off the road and turn off the ignition; use dirt or sand, not water.

   Source: PDF page 82

   “If smoke comes from under the hood, get off the roadway and turn off the ignition. If no chemical fire extinguisher is available, use dirt or sand to smother the fire. Do not use water because burning gasoline will float on water and spread the fire.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 82

6. If the fire gets out of control, move at least 100 feet away because the gas tank may explode.

   Source: PDF page 82

   “If the fire gets out of control, move at least 100 feet away from the vehicle since the gas tank may explode.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 82

7. If a vehicle comes at you in your lane, move right, slow down, sound the horn and flash your headlights.

   Source: PDF page 82

   “If you see a vehicle coming toward you in your lane, move to the right, slow down, then sound your horn and flash your headlights.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 82

8. If you stall on railroad tracks with a train coming, get out and go to a safe place.

   Source: PDF page 82

   “If a train is coming and your vehicle is stalled on the tracks, get out of the vehicle and proceed to a safe location.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 82

Numbers to know

3 questions from the West Virginia practice test

1. 1. If smoke comes from under the hood, what should the driver do first?

   1. Get off the roadway and turn off the ignition
   2. Open the radiator cap immediately
   3. Pour water over the engine while moving
   4. Continue driving until the smoke disappears
   Show answer

   Get off the roadway and turn off the ignition. Smoke under the hood calls for immediate separation from traffic and removal of the ignition source. The handbook directs the driver to get off the roadway and turn off the ignition. Opening a hot radiator cap can cause serious burns, and water is unsafe on a gasoline fire because burning gasoline can float and spread. Continuing to drive allows the problem to worsen. Once stopped safely, use dirt or sand if appropriate and move at least 100 feet away if the fire becomes uncontrollable.

2. 2. What is the safest response if a vehicle fire gets out of control?

   1. Remain beside the vehicle to direct traffic
   2. Move at least 100 feet away from the vehicle
   3. Open the fuel door to release pressure
   4. Stand nearby and throw water toward the gas tank
   Show answer

   Move at least 100 feet away from the vehicle. An uncontrolled vehicle fire can become an explosion hazard, so the handbook directs people to move at least 100 feet away. Remaining beside the car exposes you to flames, smoke, and flying debris while offering no reliable protection. Opening a fuel door is not an emergency remedy and can add danger. Water is also a poor response to burning gasoline because fuel can float and spread the fire. Get everyone away, keep others clear, and let trained responders handle the vehicle once you have reached a safe distance.

3. 3. An oncoming vehicle enters your lane. What should you do first?

   1. Move right, slow down, sound the horn, and flash the headlights
   2. Turn left into the lane the other vehicle left
   3. Accelerate toward the vehicle to make it move over
   4. Stop in the center of the roadway without warning
   Show answer

   Move right, slow down, sound the horn, and flash the headlights. The handbook's response creates space and alerts the other driver: move right, reduce speed, sound the horn, and flash the headlights. Turning into the lane the vehicle abandoned could place both vehicles together if the other driver corrects course. Accelerating reduces reaction time, and stopping in the center can expose the vehicle to a rear-end or side collision. Keep control, avoid the opposing path, and use warning signals while looking for a safe place away from the immediate conflict.

Source: the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Chapter IX: 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.