chapter 8 — emergency strategies Strategies: avoiding crashes or reducing the impact  These techniques may help avoid a crash or reduce the  impact of a crash:  As shown in the graphic above, doubling the speed quadruples  the force of impact. This is one reason why speed is such an  important factor in crashes, and why slowing down saves lives. 131 Crashing into a solid  object at 30 km/h is like  sitting in a vehicle when  it falls from a one-storey  building. At 60 km/h,  hitting a solid object is like  being in a vehicle when it  falls from the roof of a four-storey building. • Slow down as much as possible.  • Try to avoid locking the brakes.  • Try to steer for something that will cushion your car, like  bushes or a high snow bank. Avoid hard objects like  parked cars or trees.  • Try to avoid a head‑on collision at all costs by steering  to the side. Steer to the right, not the left, as the  oncoming driver may steer to the right.  • Use the horn. This may help the other driver regain alertness. 