A commercial driver whose right wheels drop onto an unpaved shoulder must execute a controlled recovery to return to the roadway safely. What is the correct sequence of steering and speed control actions required to complete this maneuver?
- 1Maintain a firm two-handed grip on opposite sides of the steering wheel and keep the vehicle tracking straight along the shoulder without applying hard braking.
- 2Ease off the accelerator to let the vehicle decelerate to a controllable speed and check mirrors for an opening in traffic.
- 3Turn the steering wheel sharply toward the road surface to climb the pavement lip.
- 4Countersteer sharply in the opposite direction the moment the front tires mount the pavement to center the vehicle within the lane.
Answer
The proper sequence begins by maintaining a firm two-handed grip to keep the vehicle straight along the shoulder without hard braking, followed by easing off the throttle to reduce speed while checking mirrors, then executing a sharp turn toward the road to climb the pavement lip, and immediately countersteering the instant front tires mount the pavement to stay in lane.
Safely returning to the roadway after dropping off onto an unpaved shoulder requires a four-phase process: first, stabilizing the vehicle straight along the shoulder with a firm two-handed grip; second, reducing speed to a manageable level and checking mirrors; third, making a sharp, deliberate steering turn toward the pavement; and fourth, countersteering immediately upon front tire contact to avoid darting across the road.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Off-road recovery and emergency countersteering techniques
Estimated Time:1m 0s