If the engine turns off while driving, what should you do next?

When the engine turns off while driving, the most appropriate action is to brake steadily and pull off the road. This approach is crucial for maintaining control of the vehicle and ensuring safety.

By braking steadily, you can reduce your speed in a controlled manner, which is important to avoid sudden stops that may lead to losing control or causing an accident. After reducing your speed, maneuvering the vehicle off the road allows you to remove yourself from traffic, preventing potential dangers to both you and other road users.

Other options, while they may seem plausible in certain contexts, do not prioritize safety effectively in this scenario. Opening the hood and exiting the vehicle could expose you to traffic hazards, whereas shifting to neutral without a clear understanding of the vehicle’s operation and road conditions might not be the best course of action. Lastly, turning on the heater for distractions does not address the critical situation at hand and could divert attention from necessary safety measures.