Driver license the official handbook

52  
©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Breakdowns/Disabled
 1.  You must move the vehicle so 
all four wheels are out of traffic 
lanes. If you can’t move it, you 
must have it moved as soon as 
possible.
 2.  If possible, park where the 
disabled vehicle can be seen for 
200 feet in each direction.
 3.  Turn on your emergency 
flashers. 
 4.  Get all passengers out of the car 
on the side away from traffic.
 5.  Call *FHP or other law 
enforcement agencies for 
assistance.
Vehicle Approaching in 
Your Lane
 1.  Sound horn and flash high 
beams.
 2.  Brake hard.
 3.  Steer for the side of the road.
Right Wheels Off 
Pavement
 1.  Take your foot off the gas pedal.
 2.  Hold the wheel firmly and steer 
in a straight line.
 3.  Brake lightly.
 4.  Wait until the road is clear. Turn 
back on the pavement at slow 
speed (signal your intention).
Overcorrection
Overcorrection is excessive 
steering in reaction to an event 
or loss of control of a vehicle. It 
typically occurs when a driver 
steers too sharply in an effort to 
avoid a collision or driving off 
of the roadway. It can result in a 
rollover crash or possibly steering 
into oncoming traffic. Avoid 
overcorrecting! If you find yourself 
unintentionally leaving the roadway:
 1.  Stay calm!
 2.  Hold the wheel firmly. 
 3.  Take your foot off the gas and 
do not slam on the brakes. 
 4.  Steer the car where desired.
 5.  If necessary, steer the car to a 
safe place and stop.
Skidding
 1.  Take your foot off the gas pedal.
 2.  Do not use your brakes, if 
possible. 
 3.  Turn the vehicle’s front tires in 
the direction you want to go 
(steer in the direction of the 
skid). 
 4.  If you are about to hit 
something see Emergency 
Braking, below. 
Emergency Braking
Many drivers learn that to stop 
in an emergency situation where 
traction is lost is by pumping the 
brakes. While this is correct with 
conventional brakes, drivers with 
anti-lock brakes (ABS) must press 
down hard on the brake pedal, 
hold it, and steer out of danger. If 
the driver removes steady pressure 
from the brake pedal or pumps the 
brakes, the ABS will disengage or 
“turn off.”

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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
53  
.....................................................................................................................HANDLING EMERGENCIES
Vehicles can be equipped with two 
different types of ABS:
 • Four-wheel (on passenger cars 
and some light trucks). Brake 
hard, steer, and keep constant 
pressure on the brake pedal.
 • Rear-wheel (only on some 
light trucks). ABS prevents the 
rear wheels from locking up so 
that the back end of the vehicle 
does not skid. The front wheels 
can still lock up and cause the 
driver to lose steering control. 
If this happens, let up on the 
brake pedal just enough to allow 
the front wheels to start rolling 
again to regain control.
Brake Failure
 1.  If you do NOT have anti-lock 
brakes, pump the brake pedal 
hard and fast; if you have ABS, 
skip to #2.
 2.  Shift to a lower gear.
 3.  Apply the parking brake slowly 
and while holding down the 
release lever/button. This will 
prevent your rear wheels from 
locking and your vehicle from 
skidding.
 4.  Rub your tires against the curb 
to slow your vehicle or pull off 
the road into an open space.
Wet Brakes
 1.  Test brakes lightly.
 2.  Brakes may pull to one side or 
may not hold at all.
 3.  Dry brakes by driving slowly in 
low gear and applying brakes.
Jammed Gas Pedal
 1.  Disconnect the engine from 
driving wheels by pressing the 
clutch (manual transmission) or 
shifting into neutral (automatic 
transmission).
 2.  If necessary, press—don’t slam—
brakes to slow the vehicle.*
 3.  Carefully steer to a safe place to 
stop.
*Do not shut off engine unless #1 
and #2 do not work to slow the 
vehicle. Remember that if you shut 
off your engine, you will lose the 
ability to steer the car.
Tire Blowout
 1.  Take your foot off the gas. Do 
not use brakes.
  2.  Concentrate on steering.
 3.  Slow down gradually.
 4.  Brake softly when the car is 
under control.
 5.  Pull completely off the 
pavement/roadway. 
Fire
  • Call for assistance.
  • You should only attempt to 
extinguish the fire if you have 
a portable extinguisher and the 
fire is small.
  • If you can’t extinguish the fire 
get away from the vehicle! The 
fumes are toxic and an explosion 
is possible.
  • NEVER apply water to a 
gasoline or diesel fire.

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54  
©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Stalled on Railroad 
Tracks
If your car stalls on the railroad 
tracks, get everyone out immediately 
and get away from the car! If a train 
is coming, run away from the tracks, 
but in a direction toward the train; 
you will be less likely to be hit by 
your vehicle or debris from the 
collision. Call 911 or *FHP.
Submerged Vehicles
If you crash into a pond, river, or 
other body of water your vehicle 
will only float on the surface for 
30–60 seconds. Get out of the 
vehicle immediately
—do NOT call 
911 until you are completely out of 
the vehicle!
 1.  Unbuckle your seatbelt.
 2.  Roll down window before the 
car sinks. If you are able to open 
the door, be aware that the car 
will immediately fill with water.
 3.  If you are unable to roll down 
the window, try to kick out a 
side window.
There are many types of “escape 
tools” available that will quickly 
break a window. If you keep one 
of these in your vehicle, be sure 
it is within reach in case of an 
emergency.
Your Responsibilities 
After a Crash
If you are involved in a crash that 
results in damage to property, 
injury, or death, it is your 
duty—required by law—to give 
information and render aid. Always 
remain calm.  
 1.  Stop and call 911,*FHP, or local 
law enforcement. 
 2.  Turn on hazard flashers.
 3.  If anyone is hurt, you must get 
help immediately!
 4.  If the crash is minor and your 
vehicle is blocking the flow of 
traffic, you must move it or 
have it moved.
 5.  Exchange vehicle, witness, 
and driver information (name, 
address, phone number license 
plate number, driver license).
 6.  Take photos or sketch the scene, 
showing vehicle crash locations.
A law enforcement officer will 
complete a written report if the 
crash involves a charge of DUI or 
results in death, injury, or property 
damage to the extent a vehicle must 
be towed.   
If the crash results in vehicle or 
property damage and no report 
is written by an officer, you must 
make a written report of the crash to 
the DHSMV within 10 days. (This 
can be done at 
flhsmv.gov
.) 
If you are in a crash with an 
unattended vehicle or other 
property, you must make every 
attempt to locate the owner and 
notify law enforcement. If you can’t 
locate the property owner, you 
must leave a note including your 
name, contact info, and license plate  
number. 

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