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. Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?

   Correct answer: Get out and walk toward the train at a 45-degree angle

   Leave the vehicle immediately and walk away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle toward the oncoming train to avoid flying debris.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Stalling on railroad tracks

2. 2. What are early warning symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

   Correct answer: Sudden fatigue, headache, dizziness, and nausea

   Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless; early signs include tiredness, headache, dizziness, and nausea, so get fresh air immediately.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Carbon monoxide poisoning and safety tips

3. 3. You have anti-lock brakes (ABS) and need to stop suddenly. What should you do?

   Correct answer: Press firmly and keep steering

   With ABS, do not pump; hold steady, firm pressure on the pedal and continue steering until you regain control.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Anti-lock braking

4. 4. If your vehicle begins to skid, what is the correct response?

   Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer where you want to go

   Stay calm during a skid: take your foot off the gas, avoid braking hard, and steer in the direction you want the car to go.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Skidding

5. 5. You come upon a flooded roadway. What is the safest choice?

   Correct answer: Turn around and find another route

   Do not drive into flood water; even shallow-looking water can hide washouts, and just two feet of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Flooded roadways

6. 6. Your accelerator sticks while driving. Besides steering to safety, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Shift into neutral to disengage the engine

   Try to free the pedal with your toe; if that fails, brake and shift into neutral to cut engine power, then steer to the shoulder.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Stuck gas pedal

7. 7. Your brakes fail and the pedal sinks to the floor. After pumping fails, what should you try?

   Correct answer: Slowly apply the parking brake and downshift

   If pumping doesn't restore pressure, apply the parking brake gently to avoid a skid and shift to a lower gear to slow down.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Brake failure

8. 8. If your right wheels drift onto the shoulder, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Stay on the shoulder, ease off the gas, then return gently

   Don't yank the car back; hold the shoulder, slowly release the gas, and steer back onto the pavement once you have slowed.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Running off the pavement

9. 9. If a front tire blows out while you drive, what should you do first?

   Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, steer straight, and ease off the gas

   After a blowout, hold the wheel tightly, keep going straight, and gradually let off the accelerator; do not brake until you have control.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Blowouts

10. 10. If your engine begins to overheat, what can help draw heat away from it?

    Correct answer: Turning on the heater

    Switch off the AC and, if needed, turn on the heater to pull hot air from the engine; if steam appears, pull over and shut off the engine.

    Source: Chapter 6 - Overheating

11. 11. If your vehicle plunges into deep water, what should you try to do?

    Correct answer: Get out through an open window before water reaches its level

    Most cars float briefly; escape through an open window before the water rises, since doors will not open until inside and outside pressure equalize.

    Source: Chapter 6 - Plunging under water

12. 12. Smoke rises from under your hood. What should you do?

    Correct answer: Pull over, shut off the engine, and get out

    If you see smoke from the hood, pull off, turn off the ignition, and leave the vehicle; water can spread an engine fire.

    Source: Chapter 6 - Fire