Safe Driving Practices

Study questions with answers

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

1. 1. If you are blinded by the glare of oncoming headlights at night, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Use the white edge line as a guide and look toward the road's right side

   When glare blinds you, watch the white line at the road's right edge to keep your bearings until the other vehicle passes.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Headlights

2. 2. How far should you try to keep between yourself and the steering wheel for airbag safety?

   Correct answer: About 10 inches

   Keeping roughly 10 inches between your chest and the wheel reduces the risk of injury if the airbag deploys.

   Source: Chapter 3 - Airbag safety suggestions

3. 3. How should you respond to an aggressive driver who confronts you?

   Correct answer: Stay out of their way and avoid escalating the situation

   Do not challenge an aggressive driver; avoid eye contact, give them room, and let the situation defuse.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Aggressive driving

4. 4. When must you dim your high beams to low for an oncoming vehicle?

   Correct answer: When you come within 1,000 feet of it

   Switch to low beam within 1,000 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and also when following another car within 200 feet.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Headlights

5. 5. Where is the safest place for a child under 13 to ride?

   Correct answer: In the back seat, when one is available

   Children under 13 should ride in the rear seat if the vehicle has one, since the back is the safest position in most crashes.

   Source: Chapter 3 - Airbags

6. 6. Which of these is one of the three main types of driver distraction?

   Correct answer: Cognitive, such as being lost in thought

   The manual lists visual, physical (hands off the wheel), and cognitive (mental) distraction as the three types.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Distracted driving

7. 7. The manual recommends holding the steering wheel in which hand positions?

   Correct answer: 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock

   Hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 keep them clear of the airbag; the older 10 and 2 position is discouraged.

   Source: Chapter 3 - Airbag safety suggestions

8. 8. To reduce drowsiness on a long drive, the manual suggests you do what?

   Correct answer: Stop to rest at least every two hours or 100 miles

   Plan to stop, stretch, and rest at least every 100 miles or two hours; drugs and other tricks give only short-lived effects.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Maintaining alertness and concentration

9. 9. In addition to seat belts, what do airbags do in a crash?

   Correct answer: Work with belts to help reduce injuries

   Airbags are a supplemental restraint that works together with seat belts to lessen injury, but they do not stop ejection.

   Source: Chapter 3 - Airbags

10. 10. Why should you turn your head before changing lanes rather than only checking mirrors?

    Correct answer: Mirrors miss vehicles hidden in your blind spots

    Blind spots are areas the mirrors don't show, so a quick head check helps you spot hidden vehicles or pedestrians before you move over.

    Source: Chapter 3 - Blind spots

11. 11. According to the manual, how much do your odds of being killed or hurt change if you skip your seat belt?

    Correct answer: They are roughly four times greater

    Not wearing a seat belt makes your chance of death or injury in a crash about four times higher and lets you be ejected.

    Source: Chapter 3 - Seat belt laws

12. 12. What does the S in the SIPDE driving system stand for?

    Correct answer: Scan the road ahead, to the sides, and behind

    SIPDE begins with Scan, which means actively searching all around you for hazards before they become emergencies.

    Source: Chapter 6 - Using the SIPDE System