When leaving the road in a traffic emergency, which practice is recommended?

When leaving the road in a traffic emergency, which practice is recommended?

• A. Avoid braking until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph
• B. Brake as hard as possible
• C. Stop in the lane
• D. Accelerate away

Answer: (A)

When you have to leave the road in a traffic emergency, your priority is to slow in a controlled way so you can safely steer back onto the pavement. Easing off the accelerator and braking gradually to a speed around 20 mph gives you better control of the vehicle on the shoulder or verge and reduces the risk of skidding or losing steering. Braking hard can lock the wheels or push the car off course, stopping in the lane creates a danger for other drivers, and accelerating away from the edge can put you back into traffic at unsafe speeds. So the recommended practice is to slow smoothly to about 20 mph before re-entering, only when the way is clear.

When you have to leave the road in a traffic emergency, your priority is to slow in a controlled way so you can safely steer back onto the pavement. Easing off the accelerator and braking gradually to a speed around 20 mph gives you better control of the vehicle on the shoulder or verge and reduces the risk of skidding or losing steering. Braking hard can lock the wheels or push the car off course, stopping in the lane creates a danger for other drivers, and accelerating away from the edge can put you back into traffic at unsafe speeds. So the recommended practice is to slow smoothly to about 20 mph before re-entering, only when the way is clear.