The average driver should never need special emergency maneuvers, but there are rare occasions when knowing them can become essential. For those who are part of the police, knowing certain maneuvers can be a lifesaver, or a useful skill to capture a fugitive. This guide covers some of the basic maneuvers and skills that are part of the typical tactical maneuvers of the police, but which can be useful in extreme situations, for example to avoid an accident.
While this article gives you a basic understanding of driving a car under certain conditions, implementing what you see will prove very different from simply reading it. You should practice and perfect each maneuver before attempting to execute them in situations that would require perfect execution under pressing conditions. Some of the things we will see in the guide may be illegal on public roads, and should never be practiced or tried unless absolutely necessary.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Getting started
Step 1. Depending on the car you have, some of the procedures described may need some modifications in order to be used with your vehicle
- Front wheel drive (FWD) cars are the most limited. In general, front-wheel drive cars tend to understeer when, during a curve, the driver opens the throttle to accelerate the car's exit from the curve. This is definitely a point against them, and it greatly limits the steering characteristics of the vehicle.
- Rear-wheel drive (RWD) cars are better than front-wheel drive when accelerating and cornering, but could be dangerous in the hands of inexperienced drivers. Leaving a donut-shaped scull on the ground can be fun, but not during a critical situation.
- 4x4 (AWD) cars have good balance, but they can understeer badly if you are not talking about a vehicle with an active or manual center differential (many 4x4 cars have it, otherwise they are called non-permanent 4x4 cars).
- Knowing the characteristics of your vehicle is the key to get you out of extreme situations without putting yourself and those around you in danger.
Step 2. Attention:
- When you are driving, you must always be aware of your surroundings. You always need to know which cars are around you, at all times.
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If you are going fast and the cars in front of you undergo emergency braking, you must first try to slow down, but you should also look around for an escape route to avoid them. There is not always a way to avoid them, but the opposite is more common.
Sometimes the escape route is not idyllic, and you may find yourself choosing the route that will cause the least damage. This may mean going completely off the road rather than against a railing. "Choose the safest route, rather than the one that will cost you the least money."
- Many people, after being recently involved in accidents, begin to pay much more attention to their surroundings; don't let that happen to you too. You should always pay attention to avoid your first accident even though those around you may not be paying attention.
Method 2 of 6: Brake
Step 1. Braking is a lost skill
Since many cars are now equipped with systems to prevent the wheels from locking when braking (ABS), people simply press the brake pedal as hard as possible on every occasion. Sometimes this can be productive, but it's not always the best technique. Braking (even with ABS) can reduce grip with the ground, and put you in even more danger. Steering while braking can prevent the vehicle from cornering as smoothly as it could have done by not braking, or slow it down less than it could without steering (read some of the maneuvers to understand more).
Step 2. Drivers, who always drive to the edge of the vehicle, have learned to separate braking from steering
In 90% of the curves, the riders (of each category) "use the brakes before entering the curve", make the curve, and then use the gas. Each section of the curve (or straights before and after the curve) has its own way of being tackled, and separating the braking from the steering gives the vehicle the right traction to make the desired curve at its best.
Step 3. The use of the brakes (if you are not equipped with ABS) must be done smoothly
Press and release your brake pedal carefully, don't squeeze it flat. This technique is called "squeezing the brakes", and is essential for getting the most out of your vehicle's braking capacity. Doing so will bring your vehicle's tires to the limit of the point where they would lose traction. While some people say that hard pressing on the brakes is a good way to stop, especially on low-grip surfaces, it is only a reliable way to stop in an emergency.
- This can easily be proven in an empty parking lot. Roll down the windows and start at one end of the parking lot. Accelerate to a safe speed (45-50Km / h should be fine) and nail as hard as you can. You should hear the tires screeching like there's no tomorrow (and if it doesn't it's because you may have ABS, no disc brakes but drum brakes or your brakes may need to be replaced). Now take the road in reverse and go back. This time quickly release the brake when you hear the tires screeching, and re-press until you hear them again. Continue to the point where you will be able to brake by hearing only a small whistle (this point is called the Optimal Squeeze Point - OSP).
- What's the little whistle I'm talking about? It is the point where the rubber of your wheels is deformed and twisted to the point where only parts of the tire are firmly touching the asphalt; this is the traction point of your tires, and reaching it is the fastest way to stop.
- You can check this by placing references at the point where you start to brake and where the car actually stops, and notice by eye the difference between the distance when you lock the wheels and when you apply the right technique.
- Extra exercise: Set the brakes on purpose. Now practice reducing the pressure on the pedal until you unlock the wheels, and then reapply pressure on the brake to reach the OSP again.
- Take note: each surface and speed will have a different OSP optimum point. This is why you should exercise when it is dry, while it is raining and perhaps while it is snowing. Get used to the different levels of traction, so nothing will surprise you.
Step 4. Using the brakes if you have ABS is much easier
In almost all cases, releasing the brake pedal smoothly (rather than quickly) is the best solution. You will feel as if the pedal vibrates (depends on the type of ABS) or you will feel it give way (another type of ABS). Either way, it's a sign that the ABS is working. Sure, if it feels like the pedal has given out and you're not stopping, your brakes have probably given out, and you just have to kiss it goodbye.
Method 3 of 6: Dodging
Step 1. We will start with a simple but at the same time vital maneuver for both normal drivers and pilots. This technique can save your life when you need to quickly dodge an obstacle.
Step 2. The scenario:
You are driving on the freeway, it is night and it is raining, so you are in a low traction and visibility situation. You are traveling at 120km / h and 30m from you you notice a large box in the middle of the road.
- You have exactly one second to decide what the correct course of action is and put it into practice.
- Since it is a large box, you assume that there may be something very heavy inside it, it could seriously damage your car and put you and your passengers in danger.
Step 3. Solution 1 (there are no cars around you):
You should already know that if there are no cars around you (read "Warning" above). You don't have to touch the brakes!
with only a second to react, braking will only reduce the traction available to your front wheels, and could throw your aircraft off balance and, therefore, cause you to lose control while dodging.
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Turning the steering wheel sharply in the desired direction isn't the safest way to dodge either (for the same reasons braking isn't). A controlled dodge is always the best solution. If you go all the way with the suspension, your car will understeer, risking hitting the box. The trick is to swerve quickly without being abrupt. Once the box is no longer in trajectory, turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to straighten the vehicle. Again, if you do it too fast you will skid!
Using the brakes before you straighten up will also cause a skid. When you have the box out of your way, you will have more time to correct the direction of the car, so don't be reckless, and don't overdo the counter steering.
- In this situation, braking doesn't matter, and the first turn has to be faster than the second which just serves to get you back in the right direction.
Step 4. Solution 2 (you have cars around):
This situation is much more complicated. If you cannot move into the next lane, see if there is a shoulder that you can use. If there is no sure way, the way to do as little damage as possible is to hit the box. Use the braking techniques seen above and slow down as quickly as possible. A car at 120km / h will not be able to stop within 30 meters with all probability any reduction in its speed will reduce the damage you take you, your passengers and your car.
- In non-critical situations: If in the end the box was empty and you have not suffered any damage, beware of the cars following you because they could collide with you if you are going slowly or stopped in the middle of the highway. Find a safe way to remove the box from the roadway and continue. If the box damaged your car, make sure you and your passengers are okay. If you can safely drive the car to the side of the road, do so. Don't stay on the street, stay in the car, the highway is a dangerous place to roam. Call (if hopefully you have a cell phone with you) the police and report the incident.
- In critical situations: your car still works after hitting the box (and if you haven't stopped wanting to go where you needed to go) continue your journey. If your car is malfunctioning, hopefully you are not stuck, and that it does not endanger your life.
Step 5. If the objects were a little further away, the best decision would probably have been to use the brakes for a short amount of time, release them completely (completely, and the loss of load on the front could make the vehicle if you try to dodge, or generate understeer only), and then dodge. The slower your speed is during a dodge, the safer the dodge will be
Method 4 of 6: 180 inversion (J inversion)
Step 1. Usually you start from stationary, and allows you to turn around even in tight spaces (without doing 8 maneuvers)
Step 2. To perform this maneuver correctly, you need enough lateral space to fit your car in length, even a little more
It is best to practice in an empty parking lot or in a muddy area (mud will allow you to learn anyway, but it requires less speed and will put less stress on the tires).
Step 3. Drive to one end of the chosen area with the back of the car pointing in the direction you want to go
It accelerates in reverse up to 15-20km / h.
- In a front-wheel drive car, the next step is simple. Turn the steering wheel in one direction to start skidding the front. Give it a little more gas as soon as you start spinning it will help you a little. As soon as the front starts to skid, press the brakes lightly, put the car in neutral and get ready to engage the gear.
- In a rear-wheel drive car, turn the steering wheel in one direction to start skidding the front but, at the same time, press the brake pedal firmly, do not get to the lock, but you will help the rear wheels to act as a pivot. Put the car in neutral and get ready to shift into gear.
Step 4. As soon as you are in the middle of the skid, shift into gear and get ready to give the throttle
As soon as you point in the direction you want to go, press the accelerator and slightly straighten the car using the steering wheel.
Step 5. You should practice turning in both directions
AND experiment by touching the throttle and the brakes more or less when exiting the skid '.
Step 6. If you don't put your car into neutral fast enough, or if you shift into gear too early, you risk compromising your car's transmission
Method 5 of 6: Make a sharp turn quickly
Step 1. The tighter the turn you want to make, the slower you should make it, but if you play the right cards and can turn faster than the others, this can give you the edge you need
Step 2. Let's say that (to practice) you will find yourself making sharp turns around the lamps of a parking lot
Step 3. When practicing, the advice is to place cones on the sides of your car, in order to simulate a road
Step 4. As you approach the curve, you should be as far right as possible. Use the brakes as late as possible (to brake, re-read the previous steps), stay as straight as possible, as swerving will slow your vehicle more slowly.
Step 5. For a 90 degree (or less) turn, it's all about cornering while staying as close to the right wall as possible without touching it, and exiting the turn as far to the right as possible
This will give you the straightest possible trajectory which is, of course, the fastest trajectory as well.
Step 6. For a 90 to 135 degree turn, you will need some cooperation from your vehicle
Again, approach keeping to the right, but this time use the handbrake (if any) to spin the back of the car. Don't use it for too long, or you will turn around on yourself. If there is no handbrake (for example if your vehicle has a foot parking brake), you will need to take the turn a little slower, and follow the instructions for the 90 turn.
Step 7. For a curve of more than 135 degrees, the handbrake is required
Don't slow down as much as you normally would, instead go long cornering. While you still have enough speed and are going straight, pull the handbrake. When the rear wheels are locked, turn the steering wheel to the left. The back of the car will skid and spin you almost 180 degrees. Leave the handbrake and continue on your way.
Step 8. Each of these maneuvers, whether done with a front or rear-wheel drive car, must not result in a skid (ie, the rear skidding as you accelerate). Keeping the rear of the car "stable" is always the fastest way to take corners. If your tires are skidding due to too much engine power to the point where your car will be tailing, you are giving too much throttle and paradoxically letting off the throttle will allow you to take the corner faster.
Method 6 of 6: The PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) Maneuver
Step 1. The PIT maneuver is a technique used by law enforcement agencies around the world (in some places it is known as the Precision Immobilization Technique). Vehicles launched at high speed are, according to the laws of physics and aerodynamics, by nature, less stable than at low speeds. The rear of a vehicle is also significantly less stable than its front (especially in rear-wheel drive vehicles during acceleration).
Step 2. Before carrying out the PIT maneuver, it is assumed that car A is approaching car B from behind. The higher the speed, the greater the advantage of the car A '
Step 3. Car A tries to place a quarter of its front side next to the rear quarter of car B
It is usually done with the two cars almost in contact. Too large an initial lateral distance can endanger car A.
Step 4. At speeds greater than 110km / h, car B doesn't need much more than a hard kiss from car A
At speeds closer to 60km / h, car A will have to sacrifice a good part of the front bumper to give a hard blow to the rear of car B.
Step 5. If car A makes the initial blow with enough force, the rear of car B should swerve outward
Car A will then have to straighten up to avoid turning too much and losing control. Car A will then have to slow down immediately to avoid hitting the side of Car B. If the two cars are similar, car A should always be able to slow down faster than car B.
Step 6. Be prepared for car B to try to run away as soon as the driver slows down enough to regain control of the car
An experienced driver in a front-wheel drive car might be able to retrieve the car and return to its original direction surprisingly quickly. An experienced driver in a rear-wheel drive car, when the vehicle has slowed down enough, will likely try to accelerate in the opposite direction to the initial direction. 4x4 vehicles could go both ways.
This is a very difficult and dangerous maneuver, and should only be used by people who have taken a specific course
Advice
- Exercise, exercise and exercise, in a safe location. Avoiding putting yourself, your self, and others in danger is worth much more than any skill you think you have.
- Autocross (or rallycross) is a fun way to improve your driving through a competitive sport. It can improve your driving technique in many ways, but most of all by letting you gain experience.
- Practice is the essence of driving technique. If you practice enough, trying many different things, you will always find something that is better, faster and safer than the techniques listed on this page.
- Look in the direction you are turning. You always have to look at where you want to go, and not gaze in the direction the car is pointing at the moment. Your steering will follow your sight naturally. This will also allow you to better see any approaching obstacles.
Warnings
- Don't practice on public roads! Using your own private property is the best solution.
- While training is essential, be aware that many of the maneuvers can cause damage to the vehicle. The wheel balance, engine mounts, bearings and many other car components can be worn or malfunction. For these reasons, some people use inexpensive cars that are used as specific cars for training.
- Safe driving is important! Always watch out for pedestrians and other vehicles.
- Never break the law! Obey the speed limits, find out about the laws of the country you are in and make sure you obey them.
- Driving (especially when it comes to this type of driving) can be very dangerous, and should only be done in emergency situations, when there is no other choice.
