1998 Chevrolet Blazer Owner's Manual - Page 192

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steeringcan be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, a car suddenly pulls or out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems braking -- if you can stop in by time. But sometimesyou can't; there isn't room. That's the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem. Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. (See "Braking in Emergencies" earlier in this section.) It is better to remove as much speedas you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, the left or to right depending on the space available. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. Ifyou are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can turn it a full180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you haveto act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once have you avoided the object. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason practice defensive drivingat to all times and wear safety belts properly. 4-10