While operating a heavy combination vehicle on a two-lane undivided roadway, a disabled passenger car is suddenly revealed dead ahead in your travel lane over a blind crest, leaving insufficient distance for a complete stop. An unobstructed, paved escape area is available immediately to your right. In what chronological sequence should you execute the critical control inputs to safely bypass the obstruction and stabilize the commercial vehicle?
- 1Rotate the steering wheel smoothly toward the clear right escape path without depressing the service brake pedal.
- 2Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction (counter-steer) the instant the front of the vehicle clears the obstruction.
- 3Straighten the steering wheel to align the vehicle parallel with the safe path of travel.
- 4Apply firm, controlled service braking to bring the vehicle to a safe stop once directional stability is fully restored.
Answer
The correct sequence begins with steering smoothly toward the clear path without applying brakes, immediately counter-steering once the obstruction is cleared, straightening the steering wheel to restore alignment, and finally applying controlled braking once the vehicle is moving straight.
According to commercial driving safety regulations, emergency evasive maneuvers require that steering precedes braking. The driver must steer around the hazard without applying brakes to maintain steering traction, immediately counter-steer upon clearing the hazard to balance lateral forces, straighten the wheel to settle the combination, and only then apply controlled braking to halt the vehicle safely.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Emergency Evasive Steering and Counter-Steering Procedure
Estimated Time:1m 30s