In a sudden traffic emergency, your best chance to avoid a crash is to

• A. sound your horn and continue
• B. steer to miss the obstacle rather than rely on braking
• C. accelerate to outrun the obstacle
• D. brake as hard as possible while staying in your lane

Answer: (B)

When a sudden hazard appears, your best chance to avoid a crash is to create a safe path by steering to miss the obstacle rather than relying on braking alone. Stopping distance at speed may not be enough to avoid a collision, especially if the obstacle is close or your tires are not on a perfect surface. Turning to a clear area gives you a chance to avoid the object while you still have control of the vehicle. Braking hard while staying in your lane can help in some cases, but it can also leave you with insufficient time or space to stop and can reduce steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Jumping to the horn or trying to accelerate past the obstacle typically doesn’t remove the hazard and can create new dangers. The key is to quickly assess your space, look for a safe path, and steer rather than brake blindly when possible.