Driving on ice. Driving on snow. Driving in the rain. Even just driving on dry pavement. Anyone can find themselves in what I call a ‘collision situation.’ Someone runs a red light, swerves into your lane, or two other cars start to tangle right in front of you.

In a split second you go from enjoying a nice relaxing drive to being behind the wheel of a car that is spinning out of control… or is it? Does it have to be out of control, or is there a way to keep at least partial control?

My sister, Gwen, and I were talking a while back about just this type of situation. She was commuting to the ski resort Whistler on a twisty mountain road, in the dead of winter, for about an hour a day each way. The newspapers had just run a story about yet another fatality on the road. A car had tried to pass another car on a blind corner and met head-on with one coming the other way.

My sister’s comment was that scared of driving the highway because there was NOTHING you could do in a situation like that. Her opinion was that you might as well just give up.

I couldn’t believe it! I looked at her astonished and said “there is ALWAYS a way out!” I told her that even on a two lane road, there is usually room for three cars to squeeze through, even if two of them have to use part of the shoulder. Even in a worst case scenario, she could crash into the side of the mountain instead of going head-on. (the worst possible collision)

But I thought that Gwen had voiced a thought that many drivers have. Unless everything is going as planned, they feel there isn’t a lot you can do. That is completely untrue and you don’t have to be a stunt driver to get out of most situations.

So I told her to think that no matter what happens, there is ALWAYS a way out. There is always a gap that will be created. Even if it’s a small one that takes the sides of car out as you go through, there is always a gap. It doesn’t have to be very big.

But maybe you just come around a corner a little fast, or you hit some ice in the winter. If you find yourself sliding sideways down the road, or even doing 360’s, just look and steer where you want to go. (this will make you ’steer into the skid’ as we were all told to do….which I always found confusing…) You might be looking out the passenger side window for a second, or even out the back window, but keep looking and steering where you want to go.

The next step is to never, ever - ever - give up out there. Keep fighting for control and you will probably end up with it.

I told Gwen to work on changing her mindset as well. To start thinking while she is driving that there is always a way out of anything that happens. Even if there isn’t, she has a much better chance of coming out unscathed with this mindset than her old one.

So remember the three keys to getting out of a collision situation with minimal damage:
1. There is ALWAYS a gap. Expect it and watch for it to open up.
2. Look and steer where you want to go.
3. Never, ever, give up.

On with fun.

Be fast, be safe, be precise.

When shopping for a used car, you will need to look for the Buyer’s Guide sticker. This sticker is required by the FTC to be placed on all used cars sold in car dealerships, which states what type of warranty is has. This sticker will state whether it has a service contract and indicate whether it sold with a warranty.

If the used car you plan on buying is still covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty, you may have to pay an extra fee to obtain coverage, making it a service contract. However, if the dealer chooses to not charge you that extra fee and to absorb the cost of the manufacturer’s fee, then this coverage is still considered a warranty.

If the car is sold “as-is,” then it will contain no form of warranty, and you will have to pay for all repairs yourself. If you choose to, you will be able to buy a dealer service contract within ninety days of purchasing your car. Some states have used car “lemon laws,” which will give you, as a buyer, certain rights. These laws state that you can receive a refund or replacement car if the one you bought is seriously defective.

If you choose to buy a used car, make sure you are protected from major repair expenses. If the car you are buying is no longer covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty, you should purchase a service contract from the dealer, if it is offered. Another option you have is to buy a service warranty directly from a warranty company. Used cars will generally require maintenance and many repairs. Instead of paying for all of them, it would better to pay for a service contract. Before you buy a used car, you should always do research and have am independent mechanic inspect the car first. You do not want to spend thousands of dollars and later find out you will have to spend more than the car is worth to fix it.