Your Pace Virginia 8 Hour Driver Improvement Course

In order to be safe, how far in advance of a turn in a city or town center should you be in the proper lane closest to your turn before making the turn?

One-half block

Which of the following is true about airbags?

Airbags only offer effective protection to car occupants who are properly wearing a seatbelt

Where must your vehicle come to a stop at a crosswalk when there is a stop sign or red light at that intersection?

Before the crosswalk line nearest to you only if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk and before the crosswalk line furthest from you when there is no pedestrian in the crosswalk

Which of the following is NOT a recommended driver safety measure when sharing the road with a Semi Tractor/Trailer?

The safest place to drive is directly behind the semi

Which of the following is NOT accurate regarding how to share the road safely with motorcycles?

Traffic fatalities for motorcyclists have decreased significantly in every year from 2009 to 2018

What does paying the $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee provide in Virginia?

It allows that person to register and operate the vehicle in Virginia for a year

All of these items appear in the sample checklist of suggestions to be done before beginning your drive EXCEPT which one?

Open your snack or food wrapper for easy one-handed eating

Which type of crash would have the greatest force of impact in a collision?

A head-on collision followed by collision with a stationary object such as a wall, followed by a rear-end collision

Which lane should you turn into when turning from a multi-lane one-way street into another multi-lane one-way street?

The same lane you are in before making the turn

Which of the following statements about right-of-way is correct?

Right-of-way is given, not taken

According to a 1979 Indiana University study, the following percentage of vehicular crashes are not due to a mechanical problem or road conditions and can be ascribed to driver behavior:

93 percent

What are the main provisions of §46.2-818.2, Virginia's law against cellphone use and driving?

It is illegal for all drivers to hold, text, or otherwise use a cellphone while driving, unless reporting an emergency, providing professional emergency services, or performing one's duties as a DOT employee.

Explain why experience is such a critical factor in improving driver safety.

Studies show that drivers with experience recognize hazards more rapidly, regardless of age

Pursuant to 46.2-1242, parking in a handicap space or an adjoining access aisle is punishable by the following fine:

Not less than $100 nor more than $500

Which of the following is NOT listed in this class as a possible tell-tale sign of a drunk driver?

The vehicle has emergency flashers on for no reason you can tell

One can often tell what kind of information or direction a sign is providing simply by the following attributes:

Color and shape

What is the recommended method for checking your blind spots before merging into a different lane?

Turn your head to look behind and to the side of your vehicle

According to information provided in this class, what is the relationship between stress and anger?

The same hormones are released when angry or under stress, prompting the "fight or flight" response, impairing judgment, coordination, and impairing memory

Under what circumstances is it permissible in Virginia to transfer a handicap placard for another person's use?

Never

Which of the following is described in this class as a hazard when driving in rural areas not usually present in cities?

All of these are correct

What percentage of fatal vehicle crashes in 2018 in Virginia involved alcohol?

About 34 percent

According to the information provided in this class, what's the first reaction you should have to a tailgater?

Maintain your speed and check frequently to see if the tailgater has slowed to give you more room or is moving to a passing lane

The class mentions that though there are fewer crashes per mile driven on freeways than other settings, each crash tends to be more severe on freeways.

What reason does the class provide for this?

Increased speed of travel on freeways

Which of the following is grounds for a license suspension in Virginia but NOT a revocation?

Reckless or aggressive driving

What is a "crumple zone"?

Parts of the vehicle designed to compress in a collision in order to absorb some of the force of the crash

How are traffic laws applied to bicycles?

Bicycles should obey all traffic laws and have an equal right to the road as motorized vehicles

Which of the following would have the greatest impact on a driver in terms of BAC (and intoxication)?

They are all about the same in terms of intoxication and BAC

What is the purpose of a "space cushion" as described in the class?

To provide as much area free of other vehicles as possible around your vehicle so that you and other drivers have a greater margin for error

Complete the following sentence on distracted driving from this class: "If drivers react a half-second slower because of distractions, _____________"

crashes double

What should drivers be aware of with regard to bridges and overpasses in winter weather driving conditions?

Moisture on bridges and overpasses freezes before other areas so they may be icy when other parts of the roadway are not

Which of the following was NOT included in the discussion of why vehicle maintenance is critical to safe driving?

If your engine is not well-maintained, it will diminish your mileage, add to pollution, and cost more in repairs than if you had done preventive maintenance

Which of the following was a change to Virginia's Traffic Laws that took effect on July 1, 2019?

Driving licenses can NO longer be suspended for failure to pay court fines and costs within 30 days

The stopping distance chart provided in this class assumed that distraction time and reaction time are equal. If the distraction distance at 50 mph in this chart is 55 feet, what is the reaction distance listed for 50 mph?

55 feet

What does the Virginia "Move Over" law require when a vehicle with flashing lights is on the side of the road on a multi-lane road, but you are blocked by traffic from moving out of the lane closest to the vehicle with flashing lights?

Slow down and proceed with caution and at a safe speed for the conditions

What is the long-term effect of under-inflated tires?

They have increased traction, making acceleration more difficult, as well as increased friction which makes the tires hotter and prone to blow outs along with accelerated wear and tear

Which of these ARE signs of a potential intoxicated driver?

All of these

Which of the following accurately reflects the 2019 expansion of $46.2-1078.1, Virginia's law against texting and driving?

A prohibition was added against holding a cell phone in your hands FOR ANY PURPOSE while driving in a "highway work zone"

Octagonal (8-side) traffic signs are used exclusively for the following:

Stop signs

What is the blood alcohol content (BAC) in Virginia that is considered proof of DUI for drivers 21 years of age and older?

0.08% BAC with enhanced penalties at 0.15% and the most severe penalties at 0.20%

According to the CDC, a 160-pound man has decreased ability to track a moving target, decreased reaction time, and reduced multitasking ability after consuming the following number of alcoholic beverages:

Two

Which of the following statements is true regarding scanning techniques while driving?

Never focus on any single thing for more than five seconds

This class lists six zones that you need to maintain in order to have a defensive driving "space cushion". Which of these zones is the most important (assuming all the zones are clear)?

The left front and left rear zone

Which of the following were discussed in the class as a way to increase fuel efficiency when you drive?

All of these answers are correct

Explain what term this class will use when referring to motor vehicle collisions.

Crashes

Which of the following is the wording of § 46.2-861 [Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions]?

A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who exceeds a reasonable speed under the circumstances and traffic conditions existing at the time, regardless of any posted speed limit

According to the information provided in this class, fatigue has the following impact on reaction time:

Reaction time becomes over 50% longer when fatigued

Which of the following is advisable when being passed on your left?

Safely move as far to the right as you can, especially where the lanes are not marked

Which of the following is a recommended response when you encounter another driver who is clearly distracted, such as looking at a cellphone or engaged in an animated conversation?

Try to get the attention of the driver in as courteous a manner as possible to alert them of your intentions and, if you can't get the driver's attention, do what you can to avoid that vehicle

Which of the following best represents correct defensive driving on a snowy road?

Accelerate and brake gently

What is the rule of thumb on how much distance you should maintain from the vehicle in front of you in the same lane of an expressway?

Stay at least two seconds (preferably three seconds) behind the vehicle ahead of you and, in bad weather, increase the time to at least four seconds