Which of the following is the safest response when facing an unexpected obstacle?

When faced with an unexpected obstacle while driving, the safest response is to steer in a controlled manner away from it. This approach allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle while effectively avoiding a potential collision. By steering away, you can adjust your trajectory and navigate around the obstacle, minimizing the risk of losing control or experiencing a crash.

Additionally, steering in a controlled manner helps you maintain awareness of your surroundings and any potential hazards that may be nearby. It promotes the use of smooth movements rather than abrupt actions, which could lead to skidding or losing control. This response emphasizes the importance of being calm and responsive in emergency situations, relying on actively maneuvering the vehicle rather than panicking or resorting to extreme measures.

Choosing to accelerate or brake hard might lead to instability, while closing your eyes and hoping for the best is clearly not a viable strategy in driving. Overall, a controlled steering response reinforces safe driving practices and helps in effectively managing unexpected scenarios on the road.