You may need to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Steering is preferred to braking at speeds above 25 mph because less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake to a stop. In wet weather, sudden braking often leads to skids.

There are two acceptable methods of emergency steering:

1. The push - pull - slide method of steering uses your hands, wrists and forearms, which are capable of finer control than your upper arms and shoulders. Since the arms never cross, you are able to provide continuous adjustments in either direction. More controlled steering and reduced weight transfer keep you in an upright position and reduce the possibility of a skid.
2. The fixed-hand, 9 and 3 o'clock steering method allows rapid 180-degree steering to either direction, but it has two shortcomings. One, it does not allow for fine control. This method is confining in that your arms may get locked after steering 180 degrees, leaving you in an awkward position to make further fine adjustments. Two, the ability to steer quickly contributes to rapid weight transfer. Sudden and rapid weight transfer increases the chance of a skid. The sudden shift can also cause the driver to lean in the direction the vehicle is traveling, forcing him or her out of an upright position, making it more difficult to steer.

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