Driver Guide

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BRAKE FAILURE:   If your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor:
1.   Pump the brake pedal fast and hard several times.  If that does not work...
2.  Use your emergency or parking brake, but use it gradually.
3.  Shift to a low gear and look for a place to slow to a stop.
4.  Make sure your vehicle is off the road.
5.   After the vehicle has stopped, call for help.  Do not try to drive to a garage.
TIRE BLOWOUT:   If you have a tire blowout, you may hear a loud “bang” 
then “thump, thump, thump.”  The steering wheel may jerk, and you may 
lose control of your vehicle.
1.  Hold the steering wheel tightly.
2.  Take your foot off the accelerator, but do not hit the brakes.
3.  Let your vehicle slow to a stop completely off the road.
4.  Apply the brakes when the vehicle is almost stopped.
5.  Turn on your emergency flashers.
6.   Change the tire only if you can do so without placing yourself in danger.
RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT:   If your wheels run off the paved edge 
of the road, the wheels may pull to the right:
1.  Hold the steering wheel tightly.
2.   Take your foot off the accelerator, but do not hit the brakes.  Only 
apply gentle brake pressure if necessary.
3.   When the vehicle has slowed and you have control of your vehicle, 
turn back onto the pavement if the lane is free of traffic.
STEERING FAILURE:   If your vehicle does not turn when you turn the wheel:
1.  Take your foot off the accelerator.
2.   Let your vehicle slow down by itself.  Do not hit the brakes until your 
vehicle has almost stopped or unless you have to.
3.  Turn on your emergency flashers.
HEADLIGHT FAILURE:   If your vehicle’s headlights go out:
1.   Try the dimmer switch or headlight switch, that might turn them on 
again.  If that does not work...
2.  Put on the parking lights, emergency flashers, or turn signals.
3.  Pull off the road, but leave the emergency flashers on.
STUCK ACCELERATOR:   If your accelerator becomes stuck, you should:
1.  Shift to neutral.
2.  Apply the brakes.
3.  Keep your eyes on the road. 
4.  Look for a way out. 
5.  Warn other drivers by honking and flashing your emergency lights. 
6.  Try to drive the car safely off the road. 
7.  When you no longer need to change direction and have stopped, turn  
 
off the ignition.  (Turning off the key locks the steering wheel of many  
 vehicles.)

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BLOCKED VISION:   If your hood suddenly flies open, your windshield 
wipers fail, or something else blocks your vision:
1.   Roll down the window so you can look around whatever is blocking 
your view.
2.  Turn on your emergency flashers.
3.  Pull your vehicle off the road.
VEHICLE APPROACHING HEAD-ON IN YOUR LANE:
1.  Slow down.
2.  Pull over to the right and sound your horn.
3.   DO NOT swing over into the left lane.  The other driver may pull back 
over into that lane too.
STALLING ON RAILROAD TRACKS:
If a train is approaching:
1.  Unfasten your seat belt, get out of your vehicle, and off the tracks.
2.   Run in the direction the train is coming from.  (If you run in the 
direction the train is heading, you may be hit with debris when the train 
hits your vehicle.)
If there is no train in sight:
1.  Roll down your windows and listen for the train.
2.  Try to start the engine.  If that fails...
3.  Put your vehicle in neutral and push it off the tracks.
12 AND 15 PASSENGER VAN SAFETY:
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that 12- 
and 15-passenger vans are inherently unstable when loaded to the level for 
which they are designed, carrying more than ten passengers. The NTSB 
recommends that all drivers of 12- and 15-passenger vans obtain specific 
training on the handling and operation of these types of vehicles. For more 
information regarding 12- and 15-passenger van safety, you may visit the 
NTSB’s web site at http://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
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77
CHAPTER 10 — BE IN SHAPE TO DRIVE
ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND DRIVING
Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege.  It takes skill and common sense. 
Alcohol or drugs or fatigue will cause your driving to suffer, and it is your 
responsibility to know when you are not in shape to drive.  Driving under 
the influence of alcohol or drugs, even medicine, or driving when you’re 
tired can have deadly consequences — for you, your passengers, and 
other motorists.
Drinking and driving is not worth the risk to your life and the lives of others. 
Even a small amount of alcohol may affect your driving ability.  If you are 
going to drink, let someone else drive who has not been drinking.
Missouri laws are tough if you are found guilty of drinking or using drugs 
while driving.  You may pay a fine, lose your license, and even go to jail.
If you injure or kill someone because you were drinking or using drugs 
while driving, you may:
•  Spend 2 to 7 years in jail,
•  Pay a $5,000 fine, and/or
•  Lose your driver license for 5 years.
When a police officer stops you and suspects you have been drinking, the 
officer may ask you to take some tests like walking heel to toe or standing 
on one leg.  These tests will help the officer decide if you should be 
arrested and have a chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine.   
The result of this test is known as your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)  
level.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
If your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level is .08% or more (or for minors 
.02% or more), the officer will take your license away and give you a notice.  
This notice tells you that your license will be suspended or revoked (and 
you will not be able to legally drive) after 15 days.  The notice includes 
a 15-day driving permit that you can use if the officer indicates this on 
the notice.  The notice also allows you to request a hearing or, if eligible, 
request an Immediate 90-Day restricted driving privilege (RDP). If you are 
given a hearing, you may continue to legally drive until 15 days after a 
decision is mailed to you.
There are two types of actions that may be taken against you for driving 
when you are not fit to drive.  There are administrative actions and court 
convicted actions, which carry different penalties. 

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