Chapter 5 - Driving Safely

Question 1

What happens to the force of impact when you double your speed? Triple your speed?

Answer 1

A. When you double the speed of a car, you increase its force of impact four times.

B. When you triple the speed of a car, you increase its force of impact nine times.

Pg. 27

Question 2

Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit for cars in a residential area?

Answer 2

30 MPH

Pg. 27

Question 3

What is the maximum speed limit on an interstate highway?

Answer 3

70 MPH

Pg. 27 and 34

Question 4

Can you be issued a ticket for driving too slowly?

Answer 4

Yes

Pg. 27

Question 5

What are the steps for making a smooth stop?

Answer 5

• 1 – Check mirrors and blind spots for traffic to the rear.
• 2 – Release accelerator to allow vehicle to slow. Press brake pedal to activate brake lights and use a steady pressure for a smooth stop.

Pg. 29

Question 6

What is the arm signal for a left turn? Right turn? Slow or stop?

Answer 6

See pg. 29

Question 7

How long (distance) should you signal before making a left or right turn?

Answer 7

100 Feet

Pg. 29

Question 8

When can you use a three-point turn? Where should you never make a three-point turn?

Answer 8

A. Use a three-point turn only if the road is too narrow for a U-turn and you can’t go around the block.

B. Never make a three-point turn or a U-turn on a curve, a hill, the highway, or where there is a sign that prohibits U-turns.

Pg. 30

Question 9

What is an open intersection? When must you yield right-of-way?

Answer 9

A. An open intersection is one without traffic control signs or signals.

B. When you enter an open intersection, you must yield the right-of-way if:
• a vehicle is already in the intersection;
• you enter or cross a state highway from a secondary road;
• you enter a paved road from an unpaved road; or
• you plan to make a left turn and a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction.

Pg. 30

Question 10

When may you drive in the left lane of a road with two lanes? With four lanes?

Answer 10

A. On a two-lane highway you must always drive in the right lane unless you are overtaking and passing (where permitted).

B. If the road has four or more lanes with two-way traffic, drive in the right lanes except when overtaking and passing.

Pg. 31

Question 11

What does it mean if you see red reflectors on the lane lines facing you? What should you do?

Answer 11

A. Red reflectors on lane lines always mean you are facing traffic the wrong way and could have a head-on collision.

B. Turn around or get into the proper lane immediately!

Pg. 32

Question 12

What is the recommended safe following distance?

Answer 12

Keep a minimum following distance of four seconds during normal weather and traffic conditions. (Increase following distance during unusual weather or traffic conditions.)

Pg. 32

Question 13

When should you increase your following distance?

Answer 13

Increase your following distance in these situations:
• Rain or when roads are wet.
• Low visibility—dusk, dawn, nighttime, fog, etc.
• When being passed (more space in front of your vehicle so the pass can be completed safely).
• Carrying a heavy load or pulling a trailer. (The extra weight makes it more difficult to stop quickly/steer correctly.)
• When stopped behind another vehicle on an incline; it may roll back before moving forward.
• When following:
~ Motorcycles. The chances of a motorcyclist falling are greater on wet or gravel roads, or metal surfaces such as bridges. You will need extra stopping/ steering distance to avoid hitting the bike/rider.
~ Emergency vehicles. It is against the law to follow a fire truck responding to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet.
~ Vehicles required to come to a stop at railroad crossings, such as city buses, school buses, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
~ Vehicles with a blocked rear view. Drivers of trucks, buses, vans, or vehicles pulling trailers may not be able to see your vehicle when you are directly behind them.

Pg. 32-33

Question 14

What are blind spots?

Answer 14

Blind spots are areas near the left and right rear corners of your vehicle that you can’t see in your rear-view mirrors or with your peripheral vision.

Pg. 33

Question 15

How do you check your blind spots when you are preparing to change lanes or turn?

Answer 15

Before you move to change lanes on a highway or to pass on any road, turn your head to make sure these areas are clear.

Pg. 33

Question 16

Where is it unlawful to overtake and pass?

Answer 16

Pulling off the roadway to pass on the right is against the law.

Pg. 34

Question 17

Under what circumstances can you stop in the acceleration lane on an expressway?

Answer 17

Do not stop in the acceleration lane unless traffic is too heavy and there is no space for you to enter safely.

Pg. 35

Question 18

What should you do if you drive past your exit on an interstate highway?

Answer 18

If you pass your exit, you must go to the next one.

Pg. 35

Question 19

Where should you move your vehicle if you break down while driving on the highway?

Answer 19

Never stop on the pavement, shoulder, or connecting ramp except in an emergency. If your vehicle breaks down, you must move it completely off the pavement . (No more than six hours.)

Pg. 36

Question 20

What is the farthest away you can park from a curb?

Answer 20

You must not park more than 12 inches away from the curb.

Pg. 36

Question 21

If you have a manual transmission, what gear should you put the car in when parking downhill? Uphill? What if you have an automatic transmission?

Answer 21

A. Manual transmission: shift to Reverse (downhill)

B. Manual transmission: First (uphill)

C. Automatic transmission: put gear shift in Park.

Pg. 36

Question 22

Where is parking prohibited?

Answer 22

It is against the law to park:
• On crosswalks
• On sidewalks
• In bicycle lanes
• In intersections
• On bridges
• On overpasses
• In tunnels
• In front of driveways
• By yellow painted curbs
• NO PARKING or DISABLED PERMIT ONLY zones
• On the roadway side of another parked vehicle (double parking)
• On highway pavement not marked for parking
• Anywhere that blocks or creates a hazard for other vehicles
• Or within:
~ 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
~ 20 feet of an intersection.
~ 20 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance, or rescue station.
~ 30 feet of a rural mail box on a state highway (8 am – 6 pm).
~ 30 feet of any flashing signal, stop sign, or traffic signal.
~ 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

Pg. 37

Question 23

Which way should you turn your wheels when parking uphill along a curb? Which way should you turn them where there is not a curb? Which way should you turn them if parking downhill?

Answer 23

A. Uphill w/ curb – Turn wheels AWAY FROM curb

B. Uphill no Curb – Turn wheels to RIGHT

C. Downhill – Turn wheels TO curb

(Turn your wheels so that if your car starts to move, it will roll AWAY FROM traffic or into the curb.)

Pg. 36-37