• Try not to pass more than one vehicle at atime on two-lane roads. Reconsider beforepassing the next vehicle.• Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicletoo rapidly. Even though the brake lampsare not flashing, it may be slowing down orstarting to turn.• If you are being passed, make it easy forthe following driver to get ahead of you.Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.Loss of ControlLet us review what driving experts say about whathappens when the three control systems — brakes,steering, and acceleration — do not have enoughfriction where the tires meet the road to do what thedriver has asked.In any emergency, do not give up. Keep tryingto steer and constantly seek an escape route orarea of less danger.SkiddingIn a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.Defensive drivers avoid most skids by takingreasonable care suited to existing conditions, andby not overdriving those conditions. But skidsare always possible.The three types of skids correspond to yourvehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,your wheels are not rolling. In the steering orcornering skid, too much speed or steering in acurve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.And in the acceleration skid, too much throttlecauses the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid is best handled by easing yourfoot off the accelerator pedal.Remember: Any traction control system helpsavoid only the acceleration skid. If your tractioncontrol system is off, then an accelerationskid is also best handled by easing your foot offthe accelerator pedal.333
