1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 163

Try to adjust your speed so you can "drive" through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over hill and find a a truck stoppedin your lane,or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere,or a child darts out from between parked in cars and stops right front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stopin time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem. Your Pontiac can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. (See "Braking in Emergencies" earlier in this section.) It is betterto remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a goodreason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly. 4-12