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Difficulty: MediumEvasive Steering and Avoiding Collisions

To avoid a vehicle that suddenly drifted across the centerline, you were forced to steer your commercial motor vehicle onto an unpaved road shoulder. Which of the following procedures should you follow to safely return the vehicle to the paved roadway?

  1. A
    Apply hard, continuous service braking while immediately turning the steering wheel sharply toward the paved travel lane.
  2. B
    Steer very gradually at current highway speed so the front tires slowly rub against the pavement lip until climbing back up.
  3. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, stay on the shoulder until the vehicle slows to about 20 mph, turn sharply to climb the pavement edge, and counter-steer immediately once the front tires are on the roadway.Answer
  4. D
    Turn the steering wheel sharply away from the pavement toward the ditch to initiate a controlled slide before attempting to remount the asphalt.

Answer

Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, remain on the shoulder until the vehicle decelerates to around 20 mph, turn sharply enough to cross the pavement edge, and immediately counter-steer to align within the travel lane.
According to standard commercial driving guidelines for off-road recovery, when forced onto the shoulder to avoid a collision, the driver must keep two hands firmly on the wheel, ride out the deceleration until speed drops to roughly 20 mph, make a decisive sharp turn to climb the pavement lip, and counter-steer immediately to straighten out in the travel lane.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Hold the steering wheel firmly and stay on the shoulder while coasting or braking gently.
The commercial vehicle stabilizes on the shoulder surface and decelerates safely.
Attempting to climb back onto the pavement at full highway speed can cause loss of directional control or rollover.
2
Allow the vehicle speed to drop to approximately 20 mph and check mirrors for clear traffic.
Vehicle reaches a controllable speed for mounting the pavement lip.
At around 20 mph, the front tires have sufficient traction to overcome the shoulder-to-pavement height difference without excessive lateral forces.
3
Turn the steering wheel sharply (about one-quarter turn) toward the roadway, then immediately counter-steer as both front tires mount the pavement.
The vehicle safely ascends the lip and straightens within its designated lane.
A sharp turn prevents tire scrubbing against the pavement edge, while quick counter-steering prevents the vehicle from darting across into oncoming traffic lanes.

Key Concept

Off-Road Recovery and Counter-Steering in Collision Avoidance
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Evasive Steering and Avoiding Collisions

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