Understanding the Road Conditions, Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers, and Know How to Handle Emergencies

Question 1

When driving at night

Answer 1

Make sure you can stop in the distance lit by your headlights and use your high beam headlights when possible do not use high beam headlights in areas where they are illegal

Question 2

Dim your lights to avoid

Answer 2

Blinding the driver of an oncoming vehicle with your high-beam headlights

Question 3

If another vehicle’s lights are too bright

Answer 3

1) Do not look directly into the oncoming headlights
2) Look toward the right edge of your lane
3) Watch the oncoming vehicle out of the corner of the eye
4) Do not react to the other driver by keeping your high beam headlights on and making it harder to see

Question 4

When it is raining at night

Answer 4

Use your low-beam headlights, and do not drive using only your parking lights

Question 5

When you drive at night, remember:

Answer 5

1) Pedestrians and bicyclists are much harder to see at night, and stay alert
2) Motorcycles are also harder to see at night
3) Highway construction can take place at night and reduce your speed
4) When you leave a brightly lit place, drive slowly until your eyes adjust to the darkness
5) When a vehicle with one light drives toward you, drive as far to the right as possible

Question 6

Sun Glare

Answer 6

1) Keep the inside and outside of your windshield clean
2) Make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order
3) Maintain enough space between your vehicle and the vehicles around you
4) Try to avoid driving during sunrise and sunset

Question 7

Rain and snow can make the roads slippery

Answer 7

Your tires will not have the grip they need and drive more slowly than you would on a dry road

Question 8

Adjust your speed for different conditions:

Answer 8

1) Wet road: go 5 to 10 mph slower
2) Packed snow: Reduce your speed by half
3) Ice: Slow to a crawl

Question 9

Shade from trees or buildings can hide icy spots on cold, wet days, and these area

Answer 9

Freeze first and dry out last

Question 10

Bridges and overpasses tend to

Answer 10

Freeze before the rest of the road, and they can hide icy spot

Question 11

If it starts to rain on a hot day, the pavement can be

Answer 11

Very slippery for the first several minutes

Question 12

Slow down at the first sign of

Answer 12

Rain, drizzle, or snow on the road, and turn on windshield wipers, low-income headlight, and defroster

Question 13

In heavy rainstorm or snowstorm

Answer 13

You may not be able to see more than 100 feet in front of your vehicle

Question 14

If you cannot see farther than 100 feet

Answer 14

It is not safe to drive faster than 30 mph

Question 15

You may have to stop from time to time

Answer 15

To wipe mud or snow off your windshield, headlights, and taillights

Question 16

Slow down when there is

Answer 16

A lot of water on the road

Question 17

If you drive faster than 50 mph in heavy rain

Answer 17

Your tires can lose all contact with the road, and your vehicle will be riding on the water, called “hydroplaning.”

Question 18

If your vehicle starts to hydroplane

Answer 18

Slow down gradually and do not use the brakes

Question 19

Excessive water on the road may cause flooding

Answer 19

This can happen gradually or suddenly

Question 20

It is essential to understand the dangers of water on the road, including:

Answer 20

1) Being swept off the road
2) Floating debris and unseen hazards
3) The road collapsing
4) Vehicle malfunction, for example, brake failure

Question 21

If you have no other option but to drive through the flooded road

Answer 21

Drive slowly

Question 22

When driving in high winds:

Answer 22

1) Reduce your speed
2) Maintain a firm hand position on the steering wheel
3) Be alert
4) Do not use cruise control
5) Be proactive

Question 23

If you must drive in heavy fog or smoke

Answer 23

1) Drive slowly
2) Use your low-beam headlights
3) Never drive using only parking or fog lights
4) Increase your following distance
5) Avoid crossing lanes or passing traffic unless necessary
6) Listen for traffic you cannot see

Question 24

If the fog becomes too thick to drive safely

Answer 24

Consider pulling off the road, activate your emergency flashers, and wait for conditions to improve

Question 25

You never know what is on the other side of a steep hill or a sharp curve

Answer 25

Slow down so you can stop for hazards if you need to

Question 26

If your view is blocked

Answer 26

Assume there is a vehicle on the other side and only pass the vehicle in front of you

Question 27

If the hill or curve is at least one-third of a mile away

Answer 27

You need at least that much room to pass safely

Question 28

To avoid tailgating

Answer 28

Following the vehicle in front of you too closely

Question 29

Avoid unnecessary lane changes

Answer 29

Weaving in and out of freeway lanes

Question 30

Law enforcement uses traffic breaks to:

Answer 30

1) Slow or stop traffic from removing hazards from the road
2) Respond to emergencies
3) Prevent collision in heavy fog or unusually heavy traffic

Question 31

To be helpful for traffic breaks:

Answer 31

1) Turn on the emergency flasher to warn other drivers
2) Slowly decrease your speed to the same speed as the officer. Do not brake suddenly unless necessary to avoid a collision, and keep a safe distance from the patrol vehicle ahead of you
3) Do not try to drive past the patrol vehicle. Do not speed up until the officer turns off their emergency lights and traffic conditions allow you to return to average speed

Question 32

You and your passengers must wear seat belts

Answer 32

You can get a ticket if you do not

Question 33

Wearing the lap belt and shoulder harness of a seat belt will increase

Answer 33

Your chance of survival in most types of collision

Question 34

Seatbelts and shoulder harnesses keep you in a better condition to

Answer 34

Control the vehicles and may also minimize serious injuries

Question 35

It is essential to wear the seat belt correctly:

Answer 35

1) Wear the shoulder harness across your shoulder and chest, and do not wear the shoulder harness under your arm or behind your back
2) Wearing the harness the wrong way could cause serious internal injuries in a collision
3) Adjust the lap belt so that it is snug and lies low across the hips, and it might slide out of the belt in a crash could result in injury or death
4) If you are pregnant, wear the lap belt as low as possible under your abdomen and place the shoulder strap between your breasts and to the side of your abdomen’s bulge

Question 36

Children under two years old

Answer 36

Secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraining system, and this applies unless the child weighs 40 pounds or more and is 3 feet 4 inches or taller

Question 37

Children under eight years old or who are less than 4 feet 9 inches tall

Answer 37

Secured in federally approved child passenger restraining system in the rear seat

Question 38

All rear seats are already occupied by

Answer 38

Children 7 years old or younger

Question 39

Medical reasons prevent the child from

Answer 39

Riding in the back seat

Question 40

Children who are eight years old or older or who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall

Answer 40

May use an adequately secured, safely belt that meets the federal standard

Question 41

Airbags are a valuable safely feature on many vehicles

Answer 41

They can help keep you safer than a seat belt alone

Question 42

Ride at least 10 inches from the airbag cover

Answer 42

As long as you can maintain complete control of the vehicle

Question 43

Contact your vehicle dealer or manufacturer

Answer 43

If you cannot safely sit 10 inches away from the airbag

Question 44

Passengers should also sit at least 10 inches away from the

Answer 44

Passenger-side airbag

Question 45

It is illegal to leave a child who is 6 years old or younger unattended in a vehicle

Answer 45

A child may be left under the supervision of a person who is at least 12 years old

Question 46

It is dangerous and illegal to leave children or animals in a

Answer 46

Hot vehicle

Question 47

This is true even if a window is left slightly open

Answer 47

Too much exposure to heat can lead to dehydration, heat stroke, and death

Question 48

Basic Speed Law in California is:

Answer 48

Never drive faster than is safe for the current road conditions

Question 49

Regardless of the posted speed limit, the speed should depend on:

Answer 49

1) The number of vehicles on the road
2) The speed of other vehicles on the road
3) The road surface
4) Bicyclists or pedestrians on or crossing the road
5) Weather

Question 50

If one danger is greater than the other

Answer 50

Give more space to the most dangerous situation

Question 51

Instead of driving between the vehicle and the bicyclist

Answer 51

Take one danger at a time and slow down and let the oncoming vehicle pass

Question 52

When the vehicle has passed

Answer 52

Move to the left to allow plenty of space (at least 3 feet) to pass the bicyclist

Question 53

If there is a steady flow of oncoming vehicles

Answer 53

Use as much of the left lane as you safely can to pass the bicyclist

Question 54

Ice and packed snow on the road can cause your vehicle to

Answer 54

Skid and even more likely if driving too fast or going downhill

Question 55

To prevent skidding on slippery surfaces

Answer 55

1) Drive slowly
2) Slow down as you approach curves and intersections
3) Avoid fast turns
4) Avoid quick stop
5) Leave enough space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you
6) Shift to a low gear before going down a steep hill
7) Avoid areas like ice patches, wet leaves, oil, or deep puddles

Question 56

If you do start to skid

Answer 56

1) Slowly remove your foot from the gas pedal/accelerator
2) Do not use the brakes
3) Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid

Question 57

If you are skidding on a slippery surface and cannot control your vehicle

Answer 57

1) Find a way to stop the skid

2) Try to get a wheel on dry pavement or on the shoulder of the road

Question 58

If your brake, get wet

Answer 58

1) Can dry them by lightly pressing the gas pedal/accelerator
2) Brake pedals at the same time
3) Only do this until the brakes dry

Question 59

A locked wheel skid is usually caused by

Answer 59

Braking too hard when you are going too fast

Question 60

To get out of the locked wheel skid

Answer 60

1) Remove your foot from the brake to unlock the wheels

2) Straighten the front wheels as the vehicle begins to straighten out

Question 61

If your vehicle is not equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Answer 61

Step on the brake gradually until you are at a safe speed

Question 62

If you press the brake pedal and it sinks to the floor

Answer 62

Quickly pump the brakes by gently applying and releasing pressure on your brake pedal

Question 63

As you are pumping the brakes

Answer 63

Downshift your vehicle into a lower or neutral gear to slow down, then try using your emergency or parking brake to stop

Question 64

Follow these steps if your wheels drift off the pavement

Answer 64

1) Grip the steering wheel firmly
2) Remove the foot from the gas pedal/accelerator
3) Brake gently
4) Check for traffic behind you
5) Carefully steer back onto the pavement

Question 65

Do not pull or turn your steering wheel with too much force

Answer 65

This may cause you to drive into oncoming traffic

Question 66

Follow these steps if your gas pedal/accelerator becomes stuck

Answer 66

1) Shift to neutral
2) Apply the brakes
3) Keep your eyes on the road
4) Look for a way out of traffic
5) Honk your horn and turn the emergency flasher
6) Try to drive the car safely off the road
7) Stop and turn off the ignition

Question 67

The most common causes of collisions are:

Answer 67

1) Drive distractions
2) Unsafe speed
3) Improper turns
4) Not following the right of way rules and stop signals and signs
5) Driving on the wrong side of the road
6) A vehicle traveling faster or slower than the flow of traffic

Question 68

If you see a vehicle’s emergency flashers ahead

Answer 68

Slow down

Question 69

There may be a collision or other road emergency

Answer 69

Pass carefully

Question 70

Avoid driving near collisions

Answer 70

if possible

Question 71

If you are in a collision

Answer 71

1) Failing to stop is called a “hit-and-run,” and punishment is severe if convicted it
2) Call 911 right away if anyone hurt
3) Move the vehicle out of traffic if no one is hurt, then call 911
4) Must make a report to law enforcement within 24 hr if anyone injured or killed

Question 72

If you cannot find the owner after making a collision

Answer 72

1) Leave a note with your name, phone number, and address

2) Securely attach the note to the vehicle or property and report the collision to law enforcement

Question 73

If you kill or injure an animal

Answer 73

Call the humane society or law enforcement and do not try to move an injured animal, and do not leave an injured animal to die

Question 74

If you are in a collision, you must report it to DMV within ten days if

Answer 74

1) The collision caused more than $1000 in damage to property
2) Anyone was injured or killed and applied even if injuries were minor

Question 75

You are your representative and must file a report on whether or not you caused the collision

Answer 75

This applies even if the collision happened on private property

Question 76

Your driving privilege will be suspended for up to 4 years if you are in

Answer 76

Collision and do not have proper insurance coverage

Question 77

If a vehicle stops working on the freeway

Answer 77

1) Safely pull over to the right shoulder
2) Exit on the right side so you are away from traffic if you must get out of the vehicle
3) Find assistance
4) Return the vehicle as soon as you can and get back to the right side, away from the traffic
5) Stay inside your vehicle with your seat belt on until help arrives
6) Use an emergency flasher at your discretion, and they can help other vehicles see at night and in different weather conditions

Question 78

When there is a specific circumstance where it is safer to get out of your vehicle and stay away:

Answer 78

1) Not enough space on the shoulder
2) A guardrail
3) An area for you to safely stay away from the freeway lanes

Question 79

If a vehicle stalls or stops working while it is blocking any part of a train track

Answer 79

Get out of the vehicle and notify law enforcement

Question 80

If a train is approaching and warning lights are flashing:

Answer 80

1) Immediately exit your vehicle
2) Run at a 45-degrees angle away from the tracks toward the train
3) Call 911
4) You May only have 20 seconds to escape before the train gets there

Question 81

If you do not see a train approaching and the warning lights are not flashing:

Answer 81

1) Exit the vehicle
2) Immediately dial the ENS number located on the railroad crossing posts or metal control box near the track
3) Provide the location crossing number (if posted) and road or highway that intersects the track
4) Call 911 at the end

Question 82

Driving while using a handheld cell phone is

Answer 82

Unsafe and illegal

Question 83

Drivers should only use a cell phone when necessary and in a hands-free mode when

Answer 83

You are in minor

Question 84

To avoid distraction while using a cell phone when driving:

Answer 84

1) Do not answer your cell phone if it rings and let the call go to voicemail
2) Pull off the road if you must make a call
3) Have a passenger make the call if possible
4) Do not change the music on your cell phone
5) Only make calls to get help in an emergency

Question 85

Do not use your cell phone

Answer 85

1) During hazardous conditions
2) To engage in distracting conversions
3) To text or email while driving unless using a speech-to-text feature

Question 86

Leave the window partially open when you start the engine while driving

Answer 86

Never run the engine with your garage door closed