Pennsylvania DOT Permit: Emergencies Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is toward the right edge of the road

If an oncoming vehicle has its high-beam headlights on, don't stare at the lights. Look toward the right edge of the road to prevent being temporarily blinded. Steer by the line at the right edge of the road.

Not quite. The answer is yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.

Blind pedestrians usually carry white canes or walk with guide dogs. You must always yield to a blind pedestrian. Don't sound your horn because it could startle the pedestrian or the guide dog.

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 all of the above.

Before driving your vehicle in snowy conditions, clear ice and snow from the windows, hood, and trunk as required by Pennsylvania state law. This will help you see better and prevent ice and snow from blowing off onto your windshield or the windshield of another vehicle. Clear the headlights, taillights, and turn signal lenses of ice, snow, and dirt so you'll be able to see what's ahead, and other drivers will be able to see you. Let your vehicle's engine warm up, and run your defroster to clear any remaining ice and snow from your windows. However, don't run the engine in an enclosed space like your garage because dangerous carbon monoxide might build up.

Source: 75 PA Cons Stat § 3721

Not quite. The answer is 35 mph.

Hydroplaning occurs when there is standing water on a roadway. Up to 35 mph, most tires will channel water away like the way a windshield wiper cleans the windshield. As your speed increases, the tires cannot channel the water as well, and your tires may start to lose contact with the road and ride over the water like a set of water skis. In a typical passenger car, partial hydroplaning can begin at speeds as low as 35 mph.

Not quite. The answer is ease your foot off the gas and carefully steer in the direction in which you want the front of your car to go.

If you start to skid, stay calm, ease your foot off the gas, and carefully steer in the direction in which you want the front of your car to go. Avoid braking, especially if your car is not equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS). The car may possibly overshoot and start to skid in the opposite direction. If so, steer to counteract this as well. This procedure, known as “steering into the skid,” will bring the rear end of your car into line with the front. Once the vehicle is back under your control, straighten the wheels.

Not quite. The answer is blind spots.

Areas of the road that you cannot see in your mirrors are called blind spots. To view these areas, you may have to turn your head and look over your shoulder.

Not quite. The answer is faster tire wear.

Worn or bald tires can increase your stopping distance and make turning more difficult when the road is wet. Unbalanced tires or low tire pressures can cause faster tire wear and reduced fuel economy and make your vehicle harder to steer and stop.

Not quite. The answer is use the "Dutch Reach" method

When parked on a roadside, never open the door of your parked vehicle without first making sure that you will not endanger any other person or vehicle or interfere with traffic. Generally, a good practice is to use the "Dutch Reach" method: 1) сheck the rear-view mirror; 2) check the side-view mirror; 3) open the driver’s door with your right hand as this will force a shoulder check at the same time. Take extra precautions to avoid opening a door in the path of cyclists, who often ride close to parked cars. When you must open a door next to traffic, keep it open only long enough to load or unload passengers.

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.” It may result in a loss of braking and steering control. To prevent hydroplaning, slow down.

Not quite. The answer is steer right toward the shoulder or curb.

To avoid a head-on collision, steer right toward the shoulder or curb. Do not steer left; the other driver may try to steer back into the proper lane. 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 tap your brake pedal three or four times

Your brake lights let others know that you are slowing down. If you are going to stop or slow down where others might not expect it, warn those behind you by quickly tapping your brake pedal three or four times to flash your brake lights.

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 you are in an intersection.

Even if an emergency vehicle is approaching with its flashing lights or siren on, you must not block an intersection. Instead, proceed through the intersection and then pull over immediately to let the emergency vehicle pass.

Not quite. The answer is release the gas pedal.

When driving in rain, avoid hydroplaning by slowing down. If you skid while hydroplaning, release the gas pedal and try to regain control of the vehicle. Otherwise, ride out the skid.

Not quite. The answer is toward the right edge of the road

If an oncoming vehicle has its high-beam headlights on, flash your headlights quickly a few times to warn the driver. If the driver still doesn't dim the lights, don't stare at the lights. Look toward the right edge of the road to prevent being temporarily blinded. Steer by the line at the right edge of the road until the vehicle passes.

Not quite. The answer is hand signals

Turn signals enable you to communicate with other drivers. Make sure that they operate correctly at all times. Any change in the dashboard indicator light reflects improper operation. If the turn signals fail, use hand signals until you can have them repaired. Note, however, that hand signals may not be visible in the dark.

Not quite. The answer is pull over to the right edge of the road.

If an emergency vehicle is approaching you with a siren and flashing lights on, you are required to pull over to the right edge of the road and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. However, if you're in the middle of an intersection when the emergency vehicle approaches, proceed through the intersection and then pull over immediately.

Not quite. The answer is text messaging and talking on the phone.

Anything that draws your attention away from the road can distract you. Some examples of distractions while driving are text messaging, talking on the phone, dealing with children, and lighting a cigarette.

Not quite. The answer is 1,000 feet

Under Pennsylvania law, you must use your headlights whenever you cannot see pedestrians or vehicles at least 1,000 feet ahead. You must also use your headlights between sunset and sunrise and anytime that you use your windshield wipers in bad weather.