1998 Buick Riviera Owner's Manual - Page 178

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can more effective be than braking.For example, you come over hill and a find a truck stopped your lane, or a car suddenly pulls in out from nowhere, or a childdarts out from between parked cars and stops right front of you. You can in avoid these problems by braking if you can stop in -time. But sometimes you can't; there room. That's isn't the timefor evasive action-- steering around the problem. Your vehicle can perform very wellin emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. (See "Braking in Emergencies" earlierin this section.) Itis better to remove as much speedas you canfrom a possible collision. Then steer around problem, tothe left or the right depending on space available. the An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision.If you are holding the steering wheel at the recornended 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 steer quickly, and fast, just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving all times and wear safety belts properly. 4-11