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. To use anti-lock brakes (ABS) in a hard stop, you should:

   Correct answer: Press firmly and keep steady pressure

   With ABS, press the brake pedal firmly and hold steady pressure; do not pump it, and you can still steer.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 12: Braking and Brake Failure

2. 2. If you come upon a flooded roadway, the safest choice is to:

   Correct answer: Turn around and take a different route

   Do not drive through flood water; turn around and find another route, since even shallow water can hide dangers or sweep a vehicle away.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 11: Flooding

3. 3. If your brakes stop working while you are driving, you should:

   Correct answer: Apply the parking brake slowly

   Use the parking brake, applying it slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels, and be ready to release it if the vehicle starts to skid.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 12: Braking and Brake Failure

4. 4. During a lightning storm, you are best protected inside:

   Correct answer: A hard-topped vehicle with windows up

   A hard-topped vehicle with the doors closed and windows up offers protection; avoid touching any metal surfaces.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 11: Lightning

5. 5. If your vehicle goes into water, the handbook says it will typically stay afloat for about:

   Correct answer: 30 to 60 seconds

   A vehicle in water usually floats on the surface for only 30 to 60 seconds, so you should try to get out right away.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 11: Vehicle Submerged Underwater

6. 6. If an animal appears in the road in front of you, you should generally:

   Correct answer: Keep control and avoid swerving

   Do not swerve to avoid an animal, since swerving can increase your risk of injury; keep control and stay in your lane.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 11: Avoiding Collisions With Animals

7. 7. If the rear of your car begins to skid to the right, you should turn your front wheels:

   Correct answer: To the right

   Steer in the direction the rear is sliding; if the rear wheels skid right, turn the front wheels to the right, without oversteering.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 11: Skidding

8. 8. If your vehicle breaks down, you should place emergency flares or triangles behind it at a distance of about:

   Correct answer: 200 to 300 feet

   Set out flares or reflective triangles 200 to 300 feet behind the disabled vehicle to give approaching drivers time to react.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 12: Breakdowns

9. 9. If your engine shuts off while you are driving (power failure), the steering wheel will:

   Correct answer: Become harder to turn but still work

   The wheel becomes harder to turn but you can still steer; keep a firm grip, brake gently, and pull safely off the road.

   Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 12: Power Failure

10. 10. If a tire suddenly blows out, you should:

    Correct answer: Grip the wheel, ease off the gas, and slow down gradually

    Grip the wheel firmly, steer straight, ease off the gas, and slow gradually — do not slam on the brakes.

    Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 12: Tire Blowout

11. 11. If your gas pedal sticks and the vehicle speeds up on its own, you should first:

    Correct answer: Shift the transmission into neutral

    Shift into neutral, then look for a safe place to pull off, steering smoothly and braking gently.

    Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 12: Stuck Gas Pedal

12. 12. If your vehicle stalls on the tracks at a railroad crossing, you should:

    Correct answer: Get everyone out and off the tracks immediately

    Get everyone out of the vehicle and off the tracks at once, then notify authorities; if a train is coming, move toward it at an angle away from the tracks.

    Source: Utah Driver Handbook — Section 14: General Railroad Safety Information