GMC 2003 C4C042, Owner'S Manual

Page: 205 / 386

4-12
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these problems by braking
--
if you can stop
in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room.
That’s the time for evasive action
--
steering around
the problem.
In emergencies like these, first apply your brakes. See
“Braking in Emergencies” earlier in this section. It is
better to remove as much speed as you can from a
possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the
left or right depending on the space available. Since
your vehicle has anti
-
lock brakes, you don’t need to
release the brakes to maintain steering control.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you may be
able to turn it just enough to miss the object without
removing either hand. But you must act fast, steering
precisely. The more sharply you turn, the greater the
chance of a skid, a rollover or a “jackknife” with a
tractor
-
trailer. Just as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts properly.