Seat Belts, Highways, Sharing the Road and Tailgating

Question 1

Fill in the blank.

“Primary enforcement state” refers to ____.

Answer 1

a state with primary enforcement laws

“Primary enforcement state” is a state where seat belt law violation is considered a primary offense; In some states, it’s a secondary offense.

Question 2

What do you understand by primary enforcement seat belt laws?

Answer 2

Primary enforcement seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to pull over and ticket drivers for not wearing seat belt.

In states where seat belt violation is a secondary offence, drivers are not ticketed for the sole offense of not wearing seat belts.

Question 3

How does a safety belt keep you safe?

Answer 3

A safety belt protects you from being thrown from your car and hitting the dashboard. Being buckled up also helps you in better control of your car.

Not wearing seat belts is also a violation of state law.

Question 4

Can visitors from outside New York State be issued a traffic ticket for seat belt violations?

Answer 4

Yes

The law enforcement officers can ticket drivers for seat belt violations even if they are from outside New York State.

Question 5

What are the penalties for an adult in the front seat and the driver not wearing seat belts?

Answer 5

The driver and the passenger, each will face a fine of up to $50.

The driver and the passenger aged 16 or older in the front seat can each face a fine of up to $50 for not wearing seat belts.

Question 6

What is the penalty if a minor violates the seat belt law?

Answer 6

A fine of up to $100 plus 3 penalty points

The driver is liable for a fine of up to $100 and shall receive 3 penalty points on his/her license if a passenger under age 16 is without a seat belt and/or if a child under age 4 is without an approved child safety seat affixed with a seat belt.

Question 7

Can a child who has reached 4 feet in height ride safely with a regular seat belt?

Answer 7

NO

Only children who have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height can ride safely in a booster seat affixed by a seat belt. The booster seat raises the child such that the belt fits across the child’s body correctly and snugly.

Question 8

Which children are allowed to sit in booster seats?

Answer 8

Children under age 4 who weigh more than 40 kg and those aged 4 to 7

Children under age 4 weighing more than 40 kg and those aged 4 to 7 can use child safety seats or booster seats designed as per their weight and affixed with a lap and shoulder belt.

Question 9

If your car has airbags for safety from impacts, do you still need to wear seat belts?

Answer 9

Yes

Airbags and seat belts together provide maximum safety. Unbuckled passengers in the front seat can be fatally injured by an inflating airbag.

Question 10

Choose the correct option.

Who all are required to wear a seat belt as per the NY State law?

A. Occupants in the rear seats and those under the age of 16 in the front seats

B. Occupants in the front seats and those under the age of 16 in the rear seats

C. Occupants in the rear seats

Answer 10

B. Occupants in the front seats and those under the age of 16 in the rear seats

New York State law requires all front-seat passengers to be buckled up. Those under age 16 must wear safety restraints.

Question 11

What is the minimum distance that a passenger in the front seat must maintain from the dashboard?

Answer 11

10 inches

Passengers should sit at least 10 inches away from the dashboard to stay safe.

Question 12

How do airbags protect front-seat passengers?

Answer 12

Air bags inflate on impact and protect front seat passengers from crashing into dashboards, windshields, or steering.

Question 13

What safety precautions should the drivers take besides buckling up?

Answer 13

1. Sit straight, look ahead, and stay alert.
2. Avoid slouching on steering.
3. Hold the steering with both hands.
4. Ensure the doors are locked.

Question 14

How should heavy objects be carried in a passenger car?

Answer 14

Put heavy objects in the trunk.

Heavy objects in the passenger area may become flying objects during a crash, resulting in serious injury.

Question 15

What is tailgating?

Answer 15

following a vehicle too closely

Tailgating is a traffic law violation. It may cause rear-end collisions. It is the major cause of most accidents.

Question 16

Why is tailgating dangerous?

Answer 16

It can cause rear-end collisions.

If the traffic or the vehicle ahead slows down or stops suddenly, the vehicle following it too closely will have less time to react. Four of the ten rear-end collisions occur because of tailgating.

Question 17

True or False:

To ensure you are not tailgating, you should follow the two-second rule.

Answer 17

TRUE

Follow the rule to avoid rear-end collision. Count slowly as the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point or sign. It should take your vehicle about two seconds to reach that same point.

Question 18

What do you understand by the two-second rule?

Answer 18

According to the two-second rule, when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, it should take your vehicle two seconds to reach that same point. The two-second rule is recommended to avoid tailgating.

Question 19

What should you do to avoid a collision with a tailgater?

Answer 19

Change lanes or slow down gradually and pull off the road

When you find someone tailgating you, signal and then change lanes when safe or decelerate gradually and drive off the road to let the tailgater pass.

Question 20

What should you do to warn the tailgater when you intend to stop or turn?

Answer 20

Brake early and gently

When you intend to stop or turn and are aware that the vehicle behind you is too close, avoid pressing brakes suddenly. Apply brakes gently to warn before you actually stop or turn. Then, signal or turn when it’s safe.

Question 21

What should you avoid doing when you find the vehicle behind you driving too close?

Answer 21

Avoid stopping or slowing down suddenly.

Applying brakes or slowing down suddenly may result in rear-end collision.

Question 22

If a tractor trailer and a passenger car are traveling at the same speed, which one would take longer to stop?

Answer 22

the tractor trailer

Tractor trailers or other large vehicles have air brakes that take longer to stop than passenger cars that have hydraulic brakes.

Question 23

Which type of brakes do large vehicles like trucks usually have?

Answer 23

air brakes

Large vehicles like trucks and tractor trailers have air brakes that use compressed air to transmit brake power to the wheels.

Question 24

True or False

Vehicles with hydraulic brakes take longer to stop than those with air brakes.

Answer 24

FALSE

Unlike hydraulic brakes, air brakes use compressed air to transmit brake power to wheels, so they take longer to stop.

Question 25

Choose the correct option.

If a truck is following you and you intend to turn or change lane, you

A. should signal early and turn or change lane when safe

B. must avoid turning or changing lane

C. can turn but avoid changing lane

Answer 25

A. should signal early and turn or change lane when safe

Question 26

Choose the correct option.

The stopping distance for a passenger car traveling at 55mph is likely to be

A. about 250 feet

B. less than 200 feet

C. more than 400 feet

Answer 26

B. less than 200 feet

The average braking distance for a passenger car, as per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, is 193 feet. The average stopping speed for a tractor-trailer with cool brakes is 256 feet. For tractor-trailers with hot brakes, it is 430 feet.

Question 27

What is an expressway?

Answer 27

A divided highway with two or more lanes where traffic moves in one direction is called an expressway.

Expressway driving normally combines higher speeds with heavy traffic. So, it requires you to drive efficiently.

Question 28

What precaution should you take when driving on a divided highway with several lanes?

Answer 28

watch for vehicles coming in any lane you cross

While driving on divided highways with several lanes, watch for vehicles coming in any lane you cross. Turn either left or right only when it is safe.

Question 29

What should you do if you enter an expressway going a different direction than you intended?

Answer 29

Stay on the expressway until the next exit

Avoid backing up on the ramp. Stay on the expressway until the next exit. After you exit, you can figure out where you need to go and get back on the expressway.

Question 30

Mention two things to avoid while driving on an expressway to stay safe.

Answer 30

Avoid the following things while driving on an expressway:

• backing up on an entrance or exit ramp
• trying to cross a median

Question 31

What would you do if the entrance lane to an expressway is too short to allow acceleration to blend with the traffic?

Answer 31

stop and wait for a large space in traffic, and accelerate quickly

Question 32

What should you do when you notice traffic entering ahead from the ramp on an expressway?

Answer 32

Stay alert and move from the right lane to give room to the entering traffic.

Question 33

How should you exit an expressway?

Answer 33

1. Check your destination and exit sign.
2. Get into the correct lane to exit ahead of time.
3. Signal for exit 100 feet before reaching the exit ramp.
4. Decrease your speed accordingly on the exit ramp.

Question 34

What is usually the speed limit on an expressway?

Answer 34

55 mph (88 km/hr)

The speed limit on expressways is 55 mph (88 km/hr), while in some rural areas 65 mph could be the posted speed limit.

Question 35

Choose the correct option.

You should _______ on an entrance ramp when there is no STOP or YIELD sign.

A. slow down

B. accelerate

C. move with constant speed

Answer 35

B. accelerate

On an entrance ramp, you need to accelerate to blend with the high speed of vehicles on the expressway.

Question 36

Choose the correct option.

You should _______ on an exit ramp.

A. slow down

B. accelerate

C. move with constant speed

Answer 36

A. slow down

Once on an exit ramp, you need to slow down to match the slower speed of the traffic on the normal roads.

Question 37

Choose the correct option.

______ are designed to allow vehicles to leave the expressway.

A. Exit ramps

B. Left lanes

C. Roundabouts

Answer 37

A. Exit ramps

Question 38

Choose the correct option.

To safely exit the expressway, you should signal ___ before you reach the ramp.

A. 30 feet

B. 50 feet

C. 100 feet

Answer 38

C. 100 feet

Question 39

Choose the correct option.

Which among the following roads is likely to have the lowest speed limit?

A. an exit ramp

B. a roundabout

C. a street in rural areas

Answer 39

A. an exit ramp

Question 40

Choose the correct option.

The safest way to enter an expressway through a short entrance lane is

A. to merge with the expressway traffic and slow down

B. to wait for a large space in traffic, enter, and accelerate

C. to blend with expressway traffic and proceed with your usual speed

Answer 40

B. to wait for a large space in traffic, enter, and accelerate

When the entrance lane is too short to accelerate, wait for a large space in expressway traffic. Then, signal, enter and accelerate quickly to the expressway speed.

Question 41

How is expressway driving different from normal driving?

Answer 41

As compared to normal driving, expressway driving combines higher speed with heavy traffic.

It requires you to think and react faster and drive more efficiently.

Question 42

True or False:

It is a good practice to check the destination and exit signs ahead of time to avoid last-minute lane changes.

Answer 42

TRUE

Question 43

What should you do if one of your tires blows out while driving on the freeway?

Answer 43

If a tire blows out on the road, you should:

• hold the steering wheel tight. Slowly take your foot off the gas pedal.
• ensure that the vehicle is stable and moving in a straight direction.
• not use your brake until your vehicle is controlled. Leave the road when it is safe to do so.

Question 44

How should you drive in rainy, foggy, or snowy conditions?

Answer 44

While driving in the rain, fog, or snow, follow these safety tips:

• Drive more slowly. Decrease the speed further if your vehicle skids.
• Turn on your headlights along with your wipers. Use front and back fog lights if you have them.
• Signal your turns ahead of time for everyone’s safety.

Question 45

What is the color and shape of a destination sign?

Answer 45

green with white letters, rectangle

Question 46

As prescribed by the law, when is a motorist required to use their headlights while driving in New York State?

Answer 46

A motorist is required to use their headlights:

• from 1.5 hours after sunset to 1.5 hours before sunrise
• when visibility is less than 1000 feet (300 m)
• while using windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, or sleet

Question 47

What do you understand by ‘driving within the range of your headlights’?

Answer 47

‘Driving within the range of your headlights’ means you must drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely within that distance covered by your headlights.

Question 48

When can you use tires with metal studs in New York State?

Answer 48

only from October 16 through April 30

Question 49

What precautions can motorists take to avoid hitting a deer?

Answer 49

To avoid hitting a deer:

• Be careful while driving at dawn and dusk. This is when deer are most active.
• Decrease speed when you approach a deer near the roadside. One deer sighting means a herd may follow up.
• Use emergency lights or flash your headlights to warn other drivers when you see a deer.

Question 50

What are expressway entrance ramps used for?

Answer 50

to enter or exit an expressway

Question 51

True or False:

You should use low beam headlights when you are within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

Answer 51

FALSE

You must use low beam headlights when you are within 500 feet (150 m) of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet (60 m) of a vehicle ahead of you.

Question 52

Choose the correct option.

How would you react if the wheels of your vehicle move off the pavement?

A. stop immediately

B. pull the steering wheel back

C. slow down and brake gently

Answer 52

C. slow down and brake gently

After slowing down, check for traffic behind you, then turn carefully back onto the pavement.

Question 53

What additional precautions should a motorcyclist take when they come upon special highway surfaces?

Answer 53

A motorcyclist may

• change speed or lane position to avoid loose gravel or debris.
• lower speed to steer when approaching a railroad crossing.
• move to the center of the lane on steel deck bridges to stay stable.

Question 54

How is motorcycle lighting different from that of cars or buses?

Answer 54

Motorcycle lighting is different from that of cars and buses in the following ways:

• The taillight on a motorcycle is smaller in size.
• Turn signals on motorcycles are close to the headlight or tail light. This makes them difficult to see.
• Most motorcycles have a downward-facing taillight while most cars and trucks have a ‘Center High Mount Stop Light’.

Question 55

How should you navigate your way around motorcyclists?

Answer 55

While navigating your way around motorcyclists, you should:

• avoid tailgating motorcycles as they are smaller than cars.
• give motorcycles more space when it’s raining or if it’s dark.
• pass motorcyclists at a slow speed.