When a crash seems imminent, and vehicle failures

Key points

1. When a crash is imminent: first slow as fast as possible, second turn away, third speed up when appropriate.

   Source: Handbook p. 80

   “First, slow as fast as possible and, second, turn away. Third, when appropriate, speed up.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 80

2. If a vehicle suddenly appears in your lane and a collision is near, steer off the road to the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 82

   “If an oncoming or stopped vehicle should suddenly ap- • • • - 82 - pear in your lane of travel and there is immediate danger of a collision, STEER OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 82

3. If the gas pedal sticks, try to free it with your foot; if that fails, push in the clutch or shift to neutral.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “Try to free the pedal with your foot (If this does not work, push in the clutch or shift to neutral.)”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 81

4. In a skid, stop doing whatever you did to start it.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “Stop doing whatever you did to start the skid:”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 81

5. With ABS, press down hard on the brake, hold it and steer out of danger.

   Source: Handbook p. 82

   “All drivers need to do is press down hard on the brake pedal, hold it and steer out of danger.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 82

6. If the brakes fail, pump the pedal rapidly, then use the parking brake carefully.

   Source: Handbook p. 82

   “Pump the brake pedal rapidly; Use the parking brake, but hold the brake release so you can ease up on the brake if the rear wheels lock”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 82

7. After a blowout, hold the wheel tightly, go straight and ease off the gas without braking.

   Source: Handbook p. 82

   “Hold the steering wheel tightly, and keep the car going straight down the road. Ease your foot off the gas pedal but do not hit the brakes.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 82

8. If your wheels leave the road, stay on the shoulder, ease off the gas and brake gently.

   Source: Handbook p. 83

   “Stay on the shoulder. Ease off the accelerator. Brake gently and slow gradually.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 83

9. After driving through deep water, brake gently several times until your brakes dry.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “Brake gently several times until your brakes are dry and work properly.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 84

3 questions from the Wyoming practice test

1. 1. An oncoming vehicle suddenly appears in your lane on a Wyoming road with a collision imminent. What does the manual say to do?

   1. Steer left into the other lane
   2. Brake hard and stay in the lane
   3. Steer off the road to the right
   4. Flash your lights and hold course
   Show answer

   Steer off the road to the right. If an oncoming or stopped vehicle suddenly appears in your lane of travel and there is immediate danger of a collision, steer off the road to the right. The shoulder or ditch is almost always survivable compared with a head on crash, and swerving left puts you in the path the other driver may return to. Keep a firm grip and slow down once off the pavement.

2. 2. Your vehicle starts to skid on a slippery Wyoming road. What response does the manual recommend?

   1. Gently turn into the skid and ease off the gas until control returns
   2. Apply the brakes hard and keep the steering wheel locked
   3. Accelerate sharply while turning away from the skid
   4. Hold the accelerator steady while making a quick steering correction
   Show answer

   Gently turn into the skid and ease off the gas until control returns. A skid calls for small, calm corrections rather than a dramatic maneuver. The manual advises turning gently into the skid while easing your foot off the accelerator, which helps the tires regain traction. Hard braking is dangerous in this situation, and accelerating can prolong the loss of control. Keep the vehicle pointed along the road and avoid an abrupt steering movement. A useful cue is to release the gas gradually and steer with the direction the vehicle is sliding until it becomes stable.

3. 3. What should a Wyoming driver do after driving through deep water?

   1. Pull the parking brake hard
   2. Speed up to blow the water off
   3. Nothing, brakes are sealed
   4. Test the brakes and brake gently several times until they are dry
   Show answer

   Test the brakes and brake gently several times until they are dry. Wet brakes may pull your vehicle to one side or may not hold as well as usual, so you should always test your brakes after driving through deep water. Brake gently several times until the brakes are dry and work properly. Do this at low speed with no one close behind, because the first applications may do little while the linings dry.

Source: the Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Special Driving Conditions and 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.