Avoiding collisions

Explanation

When a collision is about to happen, the best response depends on the situation. The manual gives three possible actions:

• Stop quickly.
• Turn quickly away from the potential collision if you cannot stop in time.
• Speed up when accelerating is the best or only way to avoid impact.

If impact looks possible, turn away from oncoming traffic—even if that means leaving the road. Drive rather than skid off the road so you keep more control.

If you must hit something, prefer an object that gives way, such as brush or shrubs, over something hard. Prefer something moving in your direction over something stationary, but a stationary object is safer than a head-on collision. A sideswipe may help slow you down.

Example

An oncoming vehicle crosses toward your lane and stopping will not prevent impact. You steer away from the oncoming vehicle toward brush that can give way, keeping the vehicle rolling rather than locking it into a skid.

Common mistake

Thinking braking is the only response. Turning—or, in some situations, accelerating—may be the better or only way to avoid the collision.

What the manual says

Speed up. Accelerating may sometimes be the best or only way to avoid a collision.

If a collision looks possible, turn away from oncoming traffic, even if it means leaving the road.

Choose to hit something that will give way, such as brush or shrubs, rather than something hard.