Driver Safety and Skills - Test 6 Section Five

Flashcards covering Delaware driver manual driving skills, safety guidelines, emergency handling procedures, and collision requirements.

In city driving versus highway driving, how far ahead are drivers instructed to look down the road?

Drivers should look $1$ block ahead in the city and $1/4\,\text{mile}$ ahead on the highway.

What are the two biggest disadvantages to operating a poorly maintained vehicle?

1. It is unsafe and costs more to run. 2. It can break down or cause a collision.

Dirt on headlights can reduce visibility by what percent?

$$50\%$$

Using safety belts can reduce serious injury and fatal traffic accidents by nearly what percent?

$$50\%$$

What are two ways that safety belts help to keep you safe?

1. Preventing your ejection from the vehicle. 2. Helping you keep control of the vehicle, since you cannot steer if you are not behind the wheel.

Under Delaware law, what are the age and weight requirements for children to be secured in a child safety seat or booster?

All children under age $8$ or $66\,\text{lbs}$ must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster.

What age or height threshold must a child reach before being placed in front of an active air bag, and why do air bags not replace safety belts?

A child must be age $12$ or $65\,\text{inches}$ in height. Air bags do not replace safety belts because they do not protect occupants during side impacts, rear impacts, or rollovers.

What type of restraint should an infant be placed in, where should it be located in the vehicle, and which direction should it face?

Infants must be placed in infant-only seats, positioned in the middle of the back seat, and placed rear-facing.

When should a child begin to use a booster seat?

Once they outgrow their forward-facing car seat.

How will your vehicle likely respond if you accelerate too quickly?

The wheels will spin, particularly on slippery surfaces, and cause the vehicle to slide.

Where should your hands be placed on the steering wheel when driving?

Your left hand should be placed between $8$ and $10\text{ o'clock}$, and your right hand between $2$ and $4\text{ o'clock}$.

What is the name of the steering method used to turn sharp corners?

"Hand-over-hand" steering.

What does stopping suddenly usually indicate about a driver?

It usually points to a driver who was not paying attention.

What do anti-lock brakes (ABS) prevent, and how should you apply the brake pedal in an emergency?

ABS prevents wheels from locking up and skidding in emergency or slippery conditions; you should brake as hard as possible.

What is the single biggest contributor to traffic accidents?

Failing to see what is happening.

Is it illegal to drive while using headphones or earphones that cover both ears in Delaware?

YES

How far ahead should you look before entering an intersection, and what should you look for before turning left across oncoming traffic?

Look at least $10\,\text{seconds}$ ahead, scan left and right for approaching vehicles and crossing pedestrians, and look for a safe gap in oncoming traffic before turning left.

What situations count as changing lanes, and what are the steps to execute a safe lane change?

Lane changes include moving from one lane to another, merging from an entrance ramp, and entering traffic from the curb or shoulder. The steps are: 1. Signal your intention. 2. Check your mirrors. 3. Look over your shoulder in the intended direction. 4. Check quickly. 5. Check the far lane. 6. Check for other road users like motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

What four helpful hints enable you to back a vehicle safely?

1. Check behind your vehicle before you get in. 2. Place your right arm on the back of the seat and turn around to look directly through the rear window. 3. Back slowly. 4. Whenever possible, use an outside helper to assist you.

When should you use high beam headlights, and should they be used in fog?

Use high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles; do NOT use them in fog.

By Delaware law, which vehicle accessory must be turned on with your wipers in rain, and when are parking lights used?

Headlights must be activated with wipers during rain. Parking lights should only be used when you are PARKED.

When should you turn on your vehicle's headlights?

1. On rainy, snowy, or foggy days. 2. When it begins to get dark. 3. Whenever driving conditions require lights (e.g., when visibility is under $1000'$). 4. When driving away from a rising or setting sun.

Does stopping at $60\,\text{mph}$ take twice the distance it takes at $30\,\text{mph}$?

NO, it takes over three times the distance.

Which two factors determine how good a grip your tires have on the road surface?

1. The type and condition of the tires. 2. The type and condition of the road surface.

When are icy roads the most slippery?

When icy roads begin to thaw, because water on ice is the most dangerous.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning occurs when the road is wet and vehicle tires begin riding on top of the water rather than the pavement, like water skis.

How should drivers adjust their speed when entering and exiting ramps?

Try to enter on-ramps at the same speed traffic is moving, and keep up with the speed of traffic as long as you remain on the main road before exiting.

How does the fatal traffic accident rate at night compare to daytime driving?

It is two-and-one-half times as high as during the day.

What key principles define defensive driving?

1. Do not trust other drivers to do what you expect or what you would do. 2. Plan ahead and prepare for other drivers' mistakes. 3. Never assume a driver will stop at a stop sign or red signal. 4. Constantly formulate an "escape route" while driving.

How does the "Four Second Sight Distance Rule" work?

Pick a stationary object ahead (such as a sign or telephone pole) and count "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand, four-one-thousand." If you reach the object before completing the count, slow down, because you must not drive faster than the distance you can see.

Can you receive a speeding citation for driving below the posted speed limit when road conditions are poor?

YES; if the road is wet or icy, visibility is reduced, or traffic is heavy, you are required to slow down.

What causes rear-end collisions, and how does the "3 Second Rule" work?

Rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow too closely to stop in time when the front vehicle stops suddenly. To use the 3-second rule, start counting seconds when the rear of the front vehicle passes a fixed point; if you reach that point before counting to three, you are following too closely.

How large of a gap is required to maintain a safe space cushion between vehicles in front of and behind you?

A four-second gap.

In what roadway situations should you avoid attempting to pass a slower-moving vehicle?

When there is oncoming traffic, or when approaching hills, curves, and other sight-limiting areas.

What does it mean to be "in shape" to drive?

Being able to see clearly, not being overly tired, avoiding alcohol and drugs, being generally healthy, and maintaining emotional fitness to drive.

What should you do if your brakes suddenly fail?

Pump the brake pedal several times to help rebuild enough brake hydraulic pressure to stop.

What procedure should you follow if your vehicle runs off the pavement?

Do not panic or slam on the brakes; ease off the accelerator, grip the wheel firmly, stay off the pavement until speed drops to $15\,\text{mph}$ or less and you have checked behind for traffic, then steer sharply back onto the roadway without crossing the center line.

What should you do in the event of a tire blowout?

Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep moving straight ahead, decelerate gradually by releasing the accelerator and braking lightly, and pull off the roadway to a safe spot rather than stopping in the traffic lane.

What should you do if your vehicle suffers a total engine power failure?

Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel (noting it will require extra effort to turn), steer off the road, and apply heavy foot pressure to the brake pedal to bring the car to a stop.

What steps should be taken if your vehicle's headlights fail while driving?

Operate the headlight switch several times; if lights do not come on, switch on the emergency flashers, turn signals, or fog lights, and exit the roadway immediately.

What should you do if your vehicle's gas pedal sticks down?

Keep your eyes on the road, shift immediately to neutral, guide the vehicle off the road safely, and shut off the engine.

What actions should you take if your vehicle catches fire?

Pull off the road if smoke appears from under the hood; smother flames with dirt or sand if an extinguisher is unavailable (never use water on gasoline fires); and stay at least $100\,\text{feet}$ back if the fire cannot be controlled because the gas tank may explode.

What should you do if your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks?

Look both ways along the tracks; if no train is visible, attempt to restart the engine. If it will not restart, or if a train is approaching, immediately exit the car and run toward the direction from which the train is coming to avoid flying collision debris.

How should an ABS-equipped vehicle be stopped in an emergency situation?

Press the brake pedal down firmly and maintain hard continuous pressure; do not release the pedal even if it pulses or pushes back.

What are the two causes of skidding, and how should a driver steer to regain control during a skid?

Skids are caused by tires losing road grip and by driving too fast for conditions. To recover: stay off the brake until the car slows, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the vehicle to go, and continue to correct the steering as the vehicle straightens.

Are drivers required by law to stop if involved in a motor vehicle collision?

YES

What must you do if you hit an unattended parked vehicle?

Attempt to locate the owner; if they cannot be found, leave a note in a noticeable location containing your contact details and the accident date and time.

Must you contact the police and remain at the scene if an accident causes injury or death?

YES, you must remain at the scene, notify authorities, and render assistance to injured persons.

Why should you avoid moving injured individuals following a traffic collision?

Moving an injured person can worsen their injuries.

What information should be collected from witnesses and parties at a crash, and what specific details must drivers exchange?

Collect names and addresses of all involved parties, injured persons, and witnesses. Drivers must exchange their name, address, vehicle registration number, driver license number, and insurance provider with policy number.