Unexpected Fire: Break Window to Escape, Roll to Extinguish Fire
If a car suddenly catches fire while driving, the driver should immediately turn off the engine, cut off the fuel and power supply, close the blinds and ignition switch, and then quickly organize the evacuation of all passengers. If the vehicle is deformed due to collision and the doors cannot be opened, escape through the front or rear windshield or windows.
If your body catches fire, roll toward a water source while shedding your clothes, being careful to protect exposed skin and hair. Do not take deep breaths or shout loudly to avoid burning your upper respiratory tract with the flames. After leaving the car, do not rush to remove clothes stuck to burned skin. For large burns, cover with clean cloths or towels. Drink water or beverages if possible. Meanwhile, uninjured individuals should use fire extinguishers, sand, clothing, or canvas to smother the flames—but never use water.
Vehicle Rollover: Hook Feet on Pedals and Roll with the Car
If you feel the vehicle is inevitably about to roll over, grip the steering wheel tightly, hook your feet on the pedals, and keep your body fixed as the car rolls. If the car rolls into a roadside ditch or cliff edge, assess whether it might continue to roll downhill. If uncertain, maintain order inside the vehicle—those closest to the outer edge of the cliff should exit first, moving from the outside in to prevent further rolling due to weight shift.
If the car is rolling into a deep ditch, all occupants should quickly lie on the seats, grab hold of fixed objects, and brace themselves to avoid injury from tumbling inside the car. When rolling, never jump out in the direction of the roll—you could be crushed. Instead, jump in the opposite direction. If you feel you’re about to be thrown from the vehicle, push off hard with both legs at the moment of ejection to maximize distance from the danger zone. Upon landing, protect your head with your arms and roll or run in the direction of the momentum to avoid secondary injuries.
If the vehicle’s brakes fail while driving, passengers must never jump out blindly. The driver will likely downshift to slow the car; if that fails, they may steer toward a hillside or even sideswipe it to stop the vehicle. Therefore, passengers should hold onto fixed objects inside to minimize injury.
Vehicle Submersion: Take a Deep Breath Before Opening the Door
If a car flips into a river and the water is shallow—not enough to submerge the entire vehicle—wait until the car settles, then escape through a safe exit. If the water is deep, do not rush to open the doors or windows, as they will be difficult to open. At this point, there is about 5–10 minutes of oxygen inside. Keep your head above water, take a deep breath, then quickly push the door open or break the window to escape. If the vehicle hasn’t fully sunk and has a sunroof, break it and escape through there first.
If no one is on shore to help, those in the water should lie on their backs with bodies straight and heads tilted back to keep their mouths and noses above water for breathing. For buses or vehicles carrying children, form a human chain by holding hands, clothing, or feet, and escape together.
Head-On Collision: Keep Legs Straight and Lean Back
In head-on collisions, drivers are most at risk of fatal injury. If you sense an impending crash and the main impact isn’t on your side, grip the steering wheel firmly, extend your legs forward, and lean back to maintain balance—this prevents your head from hitting the windshield. If the collision is near your seat or the impact is severe, quickly move away from the steering wheel and lift your legs to avoid crush injuries.