Highway Safety Knowledge Quiz: Test!

1. Big trucks have more tires and larger brakes so they can stop faster than smaller vehicles.

True

False

Big trucks actually require more time to stop compared to smaller vehicles. This is due to their larger size and heavier weight, which increases their momentum and requires more force to slow down or come to a complete stop. Additionally, the larger brakes on big trucks are designed to handle the increased weight and workload, not necessarily to make them stop faster. Therefore, the statement that big trucks can stop faster than smaller vehicles is false.

Explanation

Big trucks actually require more time to stop compared to smaller vehicles. This is due to their larger size and heavier weight, which increases their momentum and requires more force to slow down or come to a complete stop. Additionally, the larger brakes on big trucks are designed to handle the increased weight and workload, not necessarily to make them stop faster. Therefore, the statement that big trucks can stop faster than smaller vehicles is false.

2. What causes drivers to become distracted the most?

Other drivers and vehicles

All 3

Passengers

Their personal thoughts

Drivers can become distracted by various factors, including other drivers and vehicles, passengers, and their personal thoughts. Other drivers and vehicles can distract drivers through aggressive driving, sudden lane changes, or accidents. Passengers can divert a driver's attention through conversation or disruptive behavior. Additionally, drivers may become distracted by their own thoughts, such as daydreaming or worrying about personal matters. All three of these factors can contribute to driver distraction and potentially increase the risk of accidents.

Explanation

Drivers can become distracted by various factors, including other drivers and vehicles, passengers, and their personal thoughts. Other drivers and vehicles can distract drivers through aggressive driving, sudden lane changes, or accidents. Passengers can divert a driver's attention through conversation or disruptive behavior. Additionally, drivers may become distracted by their own thoughts, such as daydreaming or worrying about personal matters. All three of these factors can contribute to driver distraction and potentially increase the risk of accidents.

3. If you spot a spider in your vehicle while you're driving, you should

Ignore it

Pull over and deal with it

Squash it until there’s nothing left of it

Pick it up and throw it out the window

If you spot a spider in your vehicle while you're driving, the safest option is to pull over and deal with it. Ignoring the spider can cause distractions and potentially lead to accidents. Squashing the spider until there's nothing left of it may create a mess and could be dangerous if it distracts you from driving. Picking it up and throwing it out the window can also be risky as it may startle or distract you. Pulling over allows you to safely remove the spider from your vehicle and continue driving without any potential hazards.

Explanation

If you spot a spider in your vehicle while you're driving, the safest option is to pull over and deal with it. Ignoring the spider can cause distractions and potentially lead to accidents. Squashing the spider until there's nothing left of it may create a mess and could be dangerous if it distracts you from driving. Picking it up and throwing it out the window can also be risky as it may startle or distract you. Pulling over allows you to safely remove the spider from your vehicle and continue driving without any potential hazards.

4. When approaching a Yield sign, what must you do?

Look left and right and proceed quickly

Slow down; and proceed when clear

Stop; and proceed when clear

Look left and right and proceed slowly

When approaching a Yield sign, it is important to slow down and proceed when it is clear. The Yield sign indicates that the driver must give the right of way to any oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Slowing down allows the driver to assess the situation and ensure that it is safe to proceed. Proceeding when clear means that the driver should only continue once there is no immediate danger or obstruction in their path. This ensures the safety of both the driver and others on the road.

Explanation

When approaching a Yield sign, it is important to slow down and proceed when it is clear. The Yield sign indicates that the driver must give the right of way to any oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Slowing down allows the driver to assess the situation and ensure that it is safe to proceed. Proceeding when clear means that the driver should only continue once there is no immediate danger or obstruction in their path. This ensures the safety of both the driver and others on the road.

5. Where is the largest blind spot on a large truck?

The left side of the truck

The right side of the truck

Behind the truck

The largest blind spot on a large truck is on the right side. This is because the driver sits on the left side of the truck, and the right side is not directly visible from the driver's seat. As a result, any vehicles or pedestrians on the right side of the truck may not be easily seen by the driver, making it a dangerous blind spot.

Explanation

The largest blind spot on a large truck is on the right side. This is because the driver sits on the left side of the truck, and the right side is not directly visible from the driver's seat. As a result, any vehicles or pedestrians on the right side of the truck may not be easily seen by the driver, making it a dangerous blind spot.

6. If your signals fail to work, how do you signal that you want to turn right?

Right arm pointing across the seating compartment

Left-arm bent and pointing upwards

Left-arm pointing to the ground

Left-arm straight out the window

To signal that you want to turn right when your signals fail, you would use your left-arm bent and pointing upwards. This is the standard hand signal for indicating a right turn when the vehicle's signals are not functioning properly. By extending your left arm out the window and bending it upwards at the elbow, you are clearly indicating your intention to turn right to other drivers on the road.

Explanation

To signal that you want to turn right when your signals fail, you would use your left-arm bent and pointing upwards. This is the standard hand signal for indicating a right turn when the vehicle's signals are not functioning properly. By extending your left arm out the window and bending it upwards at the elbow, you are clearly indicating your intention to turn right to other drivers on the road.

7. Which factor causes the greatest number of car crashes?

Alcohol impairment

Driver inattention

Falling asleep at the wheel

Unsafe speed

Driver inattention causes the greatest number of car crashes. When drivers are not paying attention to the road, they are more likely to miss important cues, such as traffic signals or pedestrians, leading to accidents. This can include activities like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or simply being distracted by something inside or outside the vehicle. Inattention can significantly impair a driver's ability to react in a timely manner, making it a major factor in car crashes.

Explanation

Driver inattention causes the greatest number of car crashes. When drivers are not paying attention to the road, they are more likely to miss important cues, such as traffic signals or pedestrians, leading to accidents. This can include activities like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or simply being distracted by something inside or outside the vehicle. Inattention can significantly impair a driver's ability to react in a timely manner, making it a major factor in car crashes.

8. How many lives could be saved by staying out of trucks' blind spots in the United States each year?

5,000 lives

12,000 lives

1,300 lives

150 lives

Staying out of trucks' blind spots can prevent accidents and collisions. By doing so, the number of fatalities caused by accidents involving trucks can be reduced. Therefore, by staying out of trucks' blind spots, it is estimated that approximately 1,300 lives could be saved each year in the United States.

Explanation

Staying out of trucks' blind spots can prevent accidents and collisions. By doing so, the number of fatalities caused by accidents involving trucks can be reduced. Therefore, by staying out of trucks' blind spots, it is estimated that approximately 1,300 lives could be saved each year in the United States.

9. When are you allowed to turn LEFT on a RED light?

Only if a sign says you can

From a one way street onto another one way street

If a police officer isn’t watching

Never

You are allowed to turn LEFT on a RED light only when you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. This is because in this situation, there is less risk of a collision with oncoming traffic. Turning left on a red light in any other situation is not allowed as it can be dangerous and may cause accidents.

Explanation

You are allowed to turn LEFT on a RED light only when you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. This is because in this situation, there is less risk of a collision with oncoming traffic. Turning left on a red light in any other situation is not allowed as it can be dangerous and may cause accidents.

10. What is a safe traveling distance for a car when following a truck on the highway?

20 to 25 car lengths behind the truck

3 to 5 car lengths behind the truck

1 car length behind the truck

10 to 15 car lengths behind the truck

The safe traveling distance for a car when following a truck on the highway is 20 to 25 car lengths behind the truck. This distance allows for enough time and space to react to any sudden changes or stops made by the truck. It also provides better visibility and reduces the risk of collision or being affected by the truck's wind turbulence.

Explanation

The safe traveling distance for a car when following a truck on the highway is 20 to 25 car lengths behind the truck. This distance allows for enough time and space to react to any sudden changes or stops made by the truck. It also provides better visibility and reduces the risk of collision or being affected by the truck's wind turbulence.