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Emergencies & collisions

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The whole pool, with the answer and the explanation for each one. Practise first, then read through anything you were unsure of.

Show all 17 questions with answers

  1. 1 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Your vehicle begins to skid on a slippery road. What should you do?

    • A.Brake hard until the vehicle stops
    • B.Steer in the opposite direction from the skid
    • C.Ease off the pedals and steer where you want the front to goAnswer
    • D.Shift into park to stop the wheels

    Explanation: Do not panic. Ease off the accelerator or brake, slip the transmission into neutral on a very slippery surface if you can, and continue to steer in the direction you wish to go. Be careful not to oversteer; once you regain control you can brake very gently and smoothly.

  2. 2 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    What happens when a vehicle hydroplanes on a wet road?

    • A.The brakes lock and the vehicle stops more quickly
    • B.The tires ride on top of the water and control becomes very difficultAnswer
    • C.The engine stalls because water enters the exhaust
    • D.The steering gets heavier but grip improves

    Explanation: If there is too much water or you are going too fast, your tires may ride on top of the water, like water skis. This is called hydroplaning, and control becomes very difficult. Make sure you have good tires with deep tread, and slow down when the road is wet.

  3. 3 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    In an emergency stop with anti-lock brakes (ABS), how should you brake?

    • A.Press the pedal firmly and hold it down while steeringAnswer
    • B.Pump the pedal rapidly
    • C.Press lightly so the wheels do not lock
    • D.Apply the parking brake instead

    Explanation: Vehicles with ABS provide controlled braking on slippery surfaces automatically: press the brake pedal hard and let the system control wheel lock-up while you steer. Expect pulsations in the pedal and do not release it. In a vehicle without ABS, use threshold braking — brake as hard as you can without locking a wheel — and do not pump the brakes.

  4. 4 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Your brake pedal goes to the floor and the vehicle does not slow down. What should you do?

    • A.Turn off the ignition immediately
    • B.Shift into park
    • C.Steer into the nearest ditch
    • D.Pump the brake pedal, then apply the parking brake gently but firmlyAnswer

    Explanation: Try pumping the brake pedal to temporarily restore hydraulic brake pressure. If that does not work, apply the parking brake gently but firmly while holding the release button. If you do stop, do not drive away — call for help.

  5. 5 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Your gas pedal sticks and you cannot free it by slipping your foot under it. What should you do?

    • A.Turn off the ignition while moving
    • B.Pull the parking brake hard
    • C.Turn on your hazard lights, shift to neutral and stop as soon as you safely canAnswer
    • D.Reach down and free the pedal by hand

    Explanation: First try to lift the pedal by slipping your foot under it — never reach down with your hands while the vehicle is moving. If that does not work, turn on your hazard lights, shift to neutral and stop as soon as you safely can, preferably off the road. Then turn off the ignition, do not drive away and call for help.

  6. 6 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    A tire blows out while you are driving. What should you do?

    • A.Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and let the vehicle slowAnswer
    • B.Brake as hard as you can right away
    • C.Steer sharply toward the shoulder
    • D.Speed up to keep the vehicle stable

    Explanation: Blowouts can cause tremendous steering and wheel vibration, but do not be alarmed. Take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down, steer the vehicle firmly in the direction you want to go, and bring the vehicle to a stop off the road.

  7. 7 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto a soft shoulder. What should you do?

    • A.Brake hard and steer back onto the road at once
    • B.Ease off the gas, steer straight, then steer back gently when slowedAnswer
    • C.Accelerate and swing back onto the pavement
    • D.Stop on the shoulder and wait for help

    Explanation: Do not brake hard or jerk the wheel. Ease off the accelerator, keep the vehicle straight, and when you have slowed down, steer gently back onto the pavement.

  8. 8 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    You are involved in a collision. In which case must you call the police?

    • A.Only if the other driver refuses to exchange information
    • B.Only if a vehicle cannot be driven away
    • C.If anyone is injured or the damage appears to exceed $5,000Answer
    • D.Only if the collision happened on a highway

    Explanation: You must report a collision to police when anyone is injured or the damage to vehicles or property appears to exceed $5,000. Exchange names, addresses, licence, insurance and plate details, and never move an injured person.

  9. 9 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Your headlights go out on a dark road and flicking the switch does nothing. What should you do?

    • A.Turn on the hazard lights and stop safely off the road, then call for helpAnswer
    • B.Drive on slowly to the next lit area
    • C.Follow the tail lights of the vehicle ahead
    • D.Use the high beams instead

    Explanation: Check the switch first, and if the lights stay out, put on the hazard lights and bring the vehicle to a safe stop off the road, then call for help. Driving at night without lights is both dangerous and illegal — pressing on to somewhere better lit is not an option.

  10. 10 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Your engine starts running roughly on a freeway. When should you pull over?

    • A.At the first sign of trouble — do not wait for it to stallAnswer
    • B.At the next exit, however far it is
    • C.Only once the vehicle will no longer move
    • D.In the left lane, where there is more room

    Explanation: Begin pulling over at the first sign of trouble, while the engine still answers. Check your mirrors, put the hazard lights on, come off the gas and reach the nearest shoulder — a vehicle that stalls in a live freeway lane is far harder to move than one you parked deliberately.

  11. 11 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    You have stopped on a freeway shoulder with engine trouble. What should you NOT do?

    • A.Raise the hoodAnswer
    • B.Get out through the door away from traffic
    • C.Turn on the hazard lights
    • D.Call for help yourself if you have a phone

    Explanation: Do not raise the hood. Get out through the door away from traffic if you can, then stay in the vehicle with the doors locked while you wait. The 400-series freeways and the QEW are patrolled by the OPP, so staying put is the plan, not a last resort.

  12. 12 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    You are waiting for help on a freeway shoulder and a stranger pulls up to offer assistance. What is the safest response?

    • A.Stay in your vehicle with the doors locked and ask them to call police or your auto clubAnswer
    • B.Get out and discuss the problem with them
    • C.Accept a lift to the nearest service station
    • D.Walk along the shoulder to find a phone

    Explanation: Wait inside the vehicle with the doors locked. If someone stops, ask them through the window to call the police or your automobile club; if you have a phone, call yourself. Help arrives shortly on a patrolled freeway, and the shoulder is no place to be standing.

  13. 13 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    You arrive at a collision where someone is hurt and fuel may be leaking. After calling for help, what comes next?

    • A.Turn off all engines, put on the emergency flashers, and set up warning signalsAnswer
    • B.Move the injured people to the roadside
    • C.Light a flare beside the damaged vehicles so they are visible
    • D.Leave the scene to fetch help in person

    Explanation: Kill the engines, switch on the flashers and warn approaching drivers. Keep matches, cigarettes and flares away from the vehicles while fuel may be leaking; and unless there is a danger of fire, leave injured people where they are and stay with them until help arrives. Every driver involved must stay at the scene.

  14. 14 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Two cars collide on a busy road. Nobody is hurt and both cars still drive. What should you do with them?

    • A.Move them as far off the road as possibleAnswer
    • B.Leave them exactly where they stopped, for the investigation
    • C.Move only the vehicle that was not at fault
    • D.Wait for a tow truck before moving anything

    Explanation: If the vehicles are drivable, move them well off the road — it does not affect the officer’s investigation, and on a busy or high-speed road leaving them in a lane is the more dangerous choice. Then exchange information: that is required by law even when damage is under $5,000 and no report is needed.

  15. 15 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    You have been in a collision and the police have arrived. What information are you required to give?

    • A.Your name and address only
    • B.Your name and address, the registered owner’s name and address, the plate and permit number, and the insurance cardAnswer
    • C.Whatever you choose to give, until you have spoken to a lawyer
    • D.Only your insurance policy number

    Explanation: You must give all possible help to the police and to anyone whose vehicle was damaged: your name and address, the name and address of the registered owner, the vehicle plate and permit number, and the liability insurance card. Collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses while they are still there, and photograph the scene if it is safe to do so.

  16. 16 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Two cars scrape in a parking lot. Nobody is hurt and the damage looks like about $2,000. Is there anything you must do?

    • A.No — below the reporting threshold nothing is required
    • B.Yes — the collision must be reported to the police like any other
    • C.Yes — you must still exchange information with the other driver, even though no police report is neededAnswer
    • D.Only if you intend to make an insurance claim

    Explanation: Below $5,000 in damage and with no injuries, the collision does not have to be reported to the police — but the law still requires you to exchange information with anyone whose vehicle was damaged. Above $5,000, or with any injury, it must be reported. Contact your insurer as soon as possible if you intend to claim.

  17. 17 of 17 · Emergencies & collisions

    Your vehicle cannot be driven after a collision and a tow truck arrives. What should you make sure of before it leaves?

    • A.The operator’s name and licence number, and where your vehicle is being takenAnswer
    • B.Only that the towing fee is agreed in advance
    • C.Nothing — your insurer will trace the vehicle later
    • D.That the police have approved the towing company

    Explanation: Get the name and licence number of the tow truck operator and company, and make sure you understand where your vehicle is being towed. A vehicle that leaves the scene to an address you never wrote down is the part of a collision that goes wrong days afterwards, long after everyone has gone home.