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. When hitting a deer or another large animal cannot be avoided, you should:

   Correct answer: Brake firmly and stay in your lane

   Don't swerve, which can trigger a worse crash. Brake firmly, keep to your lane, and roll to a controlled stop.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Deer/Large Animal Hazards

2. 2. If you are in a crash and your vehicle can still be moved with no one injured, you should:

   Correct answer: Move it off the road if you can do so safely

   When no one is hurt and it is safe, move the vehicles off the roadway right away to keep traffic flowing and prevent further crashes.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Crashes

3. 3. After a crash, in addition to helping the injured and calling police, you must:

   Correct answer: Exchange information and notify your insurer

   Exchange information with the others involved, including names, addresses, license numbers, plate numbers, and insurance details, and notify your own insurer promptly.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Crashes

4. 4. If someone is injured and you are the first at a crash scene, a key safety step when exiting your vehicle is to:

   Correct answer: Keep your vehicle between you and traffic

   Take care as you step out, and where you can, position your car so it shields you from passing traffic and reduces the risk of being hit.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Crashes

5. 5. You must never follow an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing closer than:

   Correct answer: 500 feet

   Do not follow a signaling emergency vehicle any closer than 500 feet. The same 500-foot rule applies to parking near fire equipment answering an alarm.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Yielding to Vehicles with Flashing Lights

6. 6. You approach a stopped emergency vehicle showing flashing lights on the roadside. Virginia's move-over rule says to:

   Correct answer: Move over a lane or slow down if you cannot

   If you can do it safely, move into a lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle; otherwise slow down and pass carefully.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Stationary Vehicles

7. 7. When you pass a stationary vehicle displaying hazard flashers, warning signs, or lit flares, Virginia requires you to:

   Correct answer: Change lanes and proceed with caution

   Move over to another lane and proceed with caution for a stationary vehicle showing hazard lights, warning signs, or flares.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Stopping

8. 8. After a crash, if someone is injured and you lack medical training, you generally should:

   Correct answer: Avoid moving them unless there is immediate danger

   Offer whatever help you safely can, but leave an injured person inside a wrecked car unless there's an immediate threat like fire, because moving them can worsen injuries.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Crashes

9. 9. A Virginia crash must be reported to police when property damage is more than:

   Correct answer: $3,000

   Officers must forward a crash report to DMV when there is injury, death, or total property damage over $3,000. Report crashes to police as quickly as possible.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Crashes

10. 10. Deer and other large animals are most active and hazardous to drivers:

    Correct answer: At dawn and dusk, especially in fall

    Be especially alert at dawn and dusk, particularly in the fall. Large animals often travel in groups, so if you see one, expect others nearby.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Deer/Large Animal Hazards

11. 11. Your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. You should:

    Correct answer: Get out at once and run diagonally toward the train

    Do not hesitate. Get out immediately and run diagonally away from the tracks toward the oncoming train, so flying debris moves away from you.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Railroad Crossings

12. 12. If a large animal is standing beside the road or moving across it ahead, Virginia advises you to:

    Correct answer: Slow down and sound the horn to scare it off

    Slow down when a large animal is near the road; sound the horn to try to scare it away, and remember that others may be traveling with it.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Deer/Large Animal Hazards