Handling Emergencies

Study questions with answers

12 sample Handling Emergencies questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. If your vehicle runs into water but has not yet sunk, what is the best escape route?

   Correct answer: Climb out through a window

   Water pressure may prevent the doors from opening, so try to get out through a window before the vehicle sinks.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Special Driving Situations and Hazards (Water Crashes)

2. 2. If you lose your power steering or the steering suddenly fails, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Ease off the gas, turn on the flashers, and coast to a slow stop

   Take your foot off the gas, put on the hazard lights, and brake gently to a stop. Do not turn off the ignition if that would lock the wheel or kill the power steering.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Equipment Failure (Steering Failure)

3. 3. If your brake pedal sinks to the floor while driving, what should you do first?

   Correct answer: Pump the pedal to build pressure, then use the parking brake and downshift

   Pump the brake to try to build pressure; if that fails, apply the parking brake gradually and shift to a lower gear to slow down.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Equipment Failure (Brake Failure)

4. 4. If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, what should everyone do?

   Correct answer: Get out at once and move away at a 45-degree angle toward the train

   Everyone should exit immediately, call 911, and move toward the direction the train is coming from at a 45-degree angle to avoid flying debris.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Railroad Crossing

5. 5. If your headlights suddenly go out at night, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Turn on the hazard flashers, parking lights, or turn signals, then steer off the road

   Switch on the emergency flashers, parking lights, or turn signals for some visibility, then pull off the road and get help.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Equipment Failure (Headlight Failure)

6. 6. When you are part of a traffic crash or arrive at the scene of one, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Stop safely, call 911, help the injured, and exchange information

   Stop in a safe place, call 911, assist anyone injured, warn other drivers, and exchange names, addresses, and license information.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Traffic Violations/Crashes

7. 7. Within how long must a driver report a crash after it happens?

   Correct answer: 30 minutes

   You are given 30 minutes to report a crash; if you cannot, a passenger has to file the report.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Crash Reports

8. 8. If power lines fall on your vehicle after a crash, what is the safest action?

   Correct answer: Stay inside the vehicle until help arrives

   Remain in the vehicle until help arrives. Only if fire forces you out should you jump clear without touching the car and ground at once.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Special Driving Situations and Hazards (Electricity)

9. 9. If your vehicle breaks down on a high-capacity roadway such as an expressway, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on, put on hazard lights, and call 911

   On higher-capacity roads, pull as far right as possible, remain buckled inside, activate hazard lights, and call 911 for help.

   Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Stranded Motorists' Safety Protocols

10. 10. Which symptoms may indicate carbon monoxide poisoning in a vehicle?

    Correct answer: Headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion

    Carbon monoxide causes flu-like symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, and confusion, and can be deadly.

    Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Special Driving Situations and Hazards (Carbon Monoxide Poisoning)

11. 11. If a front tire suddenly blows out, what is the correct response?

    Correct answer: Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and avoid hard braking

    Keep a firm grip, take your foot off the accelerator, and let the vehicle slow before pulling off the road; sudden braking can cause a loss of control.

    Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Equipment Failure (Blowouts)

12. 12. If your gas pedal sticks while driving, what should you do?

    Correct answer: Move the gearshift to neutral and brake softly to reduce speed

    Try to free the pedal with your toe; if it stays stuck, shift into neutral and brake gently to bring the vehicle under control.

    Source: Illinois Rules of the Road — Equipment Failure (Stuck Gas Pedal)