5.6 Returning to Road from an Uneven Surface

When the tires on one side of the vehicle drop off the pavement, it can be very dangerous. Dropping off the road due to an uneven surface means the difference in traction between the road surface and the shoulder surface. Such changes in road surface can lead to a rollover crash, in which the chance of injury is very high.

 

If your vehicle should begin to go off of the roadway and onto an uneven surface such as loose gravel, you should first stabilize the vehicle. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and take your foot off of the accelerator. The vehicle may have a tendency to pull towards the shoulder so be prepared to counter-steer.

Resist the urge to brake hard or to steer sharply back onto the pavement. Either of these actions may cause the vehicle to lose control. You should also reduce your speed so that you do not lose control and cross the road into opposing traffic, causing a possible collision.

 

Once the vehicle had slowed to a safe speed (25 miles per hour or less), make sure there is a gap in traffic and steer back towards the pavement by turning the steering wheel approximately one-quarter turn. As soon as the outside front tire is back on the road, turn the steering quickly to the right to stay in the correct line. Make any steering adjustments needed.