Alabama DMV Permit: Emergencies Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Pull over to the side of the road and stop.

If an emergency vehicle displaying flashing red or blue lights and sounding a siren is approaching from either direction, you must get clear of any intersection, pull over to the curb or side of the road, and come to a complete stop.

Source: Stopping, Chapter 6: Traffic Laws, Alabama Driver Manual

Not quite. The answer is rubberneck

Rubbernecking (slowing down, becoming distracted, or staring) could cause you to become involved in a crash.

Not quite. The answer is a shoulder belt.

Statistics show that in traffic crashes, 30 percent of deaths are caused by striking the steering assembly, and another 40 percent of deaths are caused by striking the windshield, windshield frame, or instrument panel. Wearing a combination lap/shoulder belt greatly reduces your chances of being killed in a crash. The lap belt prevents ejection and protects your lower body. The shoulder belt keeps your head and chest from striking the steering assembly or windshield.

Not quite. The answer is pull to the right and slow down.

If you see an oncoming car in your lane, pull to the right, brake to slow down, and sound a sharp warning blast on your horn. At night, flash your lights. This may wake up the drowsy or inattentive driver approaching you. Don't move into the left lane; the driver of the oncoming vehicle might wake up and swing back into the path of your car. Prepare to drive entirely off the roadway to the right if necessary to avoid a head-on collision. Head-on collisions are often fatal.

Not quite. The answer is check your mirrors and look over your shoulder toward the rear.

Before changing lanes, you should check your mirrors and then check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder toward the rear.

Not quite. The answer is brake immediately.

If you experience a blowout, hold the steering wheel tightly, steer straight ahead, and slowly ease your foot off the accelerator. Don't brake immediately; you might lock the wheels and lose control. Brake gently only after the vehicle is back under your control. Drive completely off the road at the nearest safe location.

Not quite. The answer is do either (a) or (b).

When slowing down or stopping, you must signal the driver behind you with either the brake-operated signal lights or a hand and arm signal.

Not quite. The answer is check your vehicle's blind spots.

If you are changing lanes, preparing to pass another vehicle, or entering traffic, signal and check for passing traffic by using your mirrors. Once the mirrors reveal safe conditions for the maneuver, check your vehicle's blind spots by glancing over your shoulder to the rear in the direction of the maneuver.

Not quite. The answer is Away from the curb

Turning wheels away from the curb prevents your vehicle from rolling into traffic if brakes fail.

Not quite. The answer is hydroplaning.

On a wet road, at speeds of up to 35 mph, modern tires will usually channel water away to maintain contact with the road. However, in deep water at higher speeds, the channeling action of the tires becomes less effective and the tires start to ride on a layer of water like water skis. This is called "hydroplaning." At 50 mph or above, hydroplaning may result in a total loss of braking and steering control. To prevent hydroplaning, make sure your tires have enough tread, keep them properly inflated, and slow down. And always increase your following distance in wet weather.

Not quite. The answer is you must stop and yield to the vehicles on the roadway.

Vehicles entering from a private road or driveway must stop and yield to vehicles on a public roadway.

Not quite. The answer is Take your foot off the accelerator.

Hydroplaning may occur when you're driving too fast on a wet road. If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, don't brake. Hard braking might cause your vehicle to skid out of control. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and let your vehicle slow down to the point that hydroplaning no longer occurs.

Not quite. The answer is hydroplaning.

When it is raining or the road is wet, as you go faster, your tires will start to ride up on the water like water skis because of low traction with the road. This condition is called hydroplaning. To avoid this condition, drive slower than 35 mph on wet roads.

Not quite. The answer is continue through the intersection, then pull over to the right and stop.

Do not block an intersection, even if an emergency vehicle is approaching. If you are in an intersection when you hear or see an emergency vehicle approaching, continue through the intersection. Then pull over to the right as soon as you can and stop.

Not quite. The answer is Pre-loosening the lid of your coffee cup

Before starting your trip, you should set up your cab just as you like it, but eating and drinking should be done at rest stops.

Not quite. The answer is Whenever you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or following another vehicle within 200 feet

Under Alabama law, you must dim your headlights to low beam whenever you're within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following. Avoid shining your high beams on any other occupied vehicle. If you dim your high beams before they can shine on other vehicles, those other drivers may extend you the same courtesy.

Not quite. The answer is You will be trapped after an accident if you wear a safety belt.

It is considerably more dangerous to be unrestrained in a crash. If you are wearing your seat belt, you are much more likely to be conscious and unhurt and hence able to escape if you are trapped. Your seat belt also helps keep you behind the wheel no matter what happens. You can’t control your vehicle if you slide out from behind the wheel. Your chances of being killed are four times greater if you are thrown from your car.

Not quite. The answer is Yes, you must activate your turn signals at least 100 feet before you turn.

Under Alabama law, you must signal continuously for at least the last 100 feet before you turn. You must signal even if you don't see any other vehicles around. The most dangerous vehicle could be the one you don't see. [Rules for Turns, On the Road, Chapter 3: The Driving Task, Alabama Driver Manual],

Source: AL Code § 32-5A-133

Not quite. The answer is do all of the above.

A driver under the influence of alcohol is more likely to drive too fast or too slowly, change lanes frequently, and fail to dim the headlights. Even more crucially, a drunk driver may be less alert in an emergency and may take too long to brake. Such mistakes may endanger the driver and others.

Not quite. The answer is extreme caution to make a left turn.

As you enter a two-way left-turn lane (also known as a shared center turning lane) to make a left turn, use extreme caution. There may be vehicles traveling in the opposite direction that are also entering the lane to make left turns. This is especially problematic in congested areas. Don't enter the center turn lane too far in advance of your left turn. To do so increases the chance that you'll meet a vehicle coming at you head-on from the opposite direction before you turn left. And never use this lane for passing.