What is the first action to take if an obstacle appears in your path?

When an obstacle appears in your path, the first action to take should be to check your surroundings for escape routes. This is crucial because it allows you to assess the situation and determine if there are safe options for maneuvering around the obstacle. By evaluating your environment, you can identify possible escape routes that may include adjacent lanes or areas where stopping might be safe, all while ensuring that you do not create a hazard for yourself or others.

Choosing to alert others with the horn could be helpful in certain scenarios, but it does not address your immediate need to navigate the obstacle. Accelerating past the obstacle could lead to an accident, especially if you haven’t fully assessed the conditions around you. Stopping immediately is sometimes necessary, but it can also be dangerous if other vehicles are behind you and do not expect you to halt suddenly. Checking your surroundings first allows you to make a safer and more informed decision in avoiding the obstacle.