Safe driving

1 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Half a second
• B.One car length
• C.Five seconds
• D.Two secondsAnswer

Explanation: A safe following distance is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. The two-second rule is a minimum and applies only to ideal conditions — leave extra space in bad weather, behind motorcycles or large trucks, or when carrying a heavy load.

2 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.About 12 to 15 seconds aheadAnswer
• B.About 2 seconds ahead
• C.Only as far as the vehicle directly ahead
• D.About 1 minute ahead

Explanation: Look 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle so you can spot hazards early and have time to react smoothly.

3 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Only before turning or changing lanes
• B.Once every minute
• C.Every 5 seconds or soAnswer
• D.Only when you hear a vehicle behind you

Explanation: Check your mirrors roughly every 5 seconds so you always know what is around and behind you.

4 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.To make eye contact with the driver behind you
• B.To see vehicles in the blind spot that mirrors do not showAnswer
• C.To confirm your turn signal is working
• D.Because the law requires it only on highways

Explanation: Mirrors leave blind spots beside and behind your vehicle. A quick glance over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move is the only way to check them.

5 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.From half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunriseAnswer
• B.From sunset to sunrise only
• C.From one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise
• D.Only when street lights are on

Explanation: Headlights are required from one-half hour before sunset until one-half hour after sunrise, and at any time you cannot see clearly for 150 metres, such as in fog, rain or snow.

6 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Within 300 metres of an oncoming vehicle
• B.Only when the other driver flashes their lights
• C.Only once you are within 30 metres of an oncoming vehicle
• D.Within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle or 60 metres behind anotherAnswer

Explanation: Dim your high beams within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle and whenever you are following another vehicle within 60 metres, so you do not blind the other driver.

7 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.High beams, to see farther
• B.Low beamsAnswer
• C.Parking lights only
• D.Hazard lights instead of headlights

Explanation: Use low beams in fog. High beams reflect off the water droplets and make it harder to see.

8 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Long straight stretches in full sun
• B.Uphill stretches
• C.Bridges and overpassesAnswer
• D.The centre lane of a highway

Explanation: As temperatures drop below freezing, sections of road in shaded areas or on bridges and overpasses freeze first. If the road ahead looks like black and shiny asphalt, be suspicious — it may be covered by black ice.

9 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Drink strong coffee and keep driving
• B.Take a break from driving every few hoursAnswer
• C.Open the window and turn up the radio
• D.Drive faster so the trip ends sooner

Explanation: On a long trip, take a break from driving every few hours. Tired drivers can be as impaired as drunk drivers. Caffeine, an open window or a louder radio are never a substitute for sleep — always avoid driving when you feel drowsy.

10 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.A fine of $150 to $500 and 2 demerit points
• B.A fine of $400 to $2,000 and 6 demerit points
• C.A warning letter only
• D.A fine of $615 to $1,000, 3 demerit points and a 3-day suspensionAnswer

Explanation: A first distracted-driving conviction for a driver with a full licence brings a fine of $615 out of court (up to $1,000 if you fight the ticket and lose), 3 demerit points and a 3-day suspension. Novice (G1/G2) drivers pay the same fines but receive no demerit points — instead a 30-day suspension for a first conviction.

11 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Using fog lights and high beams at the same time
• B.Driving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights light upAnswer
• C.Leaving your high beams on when another vehicle is coming
• D.Driving with your headlights on during the day

Explanation: You are overdriving your headlights when your stopping distance is longer than the distance you can see — so whatever appears in the light is already too close to stop for. Reflective signs make it worse by suggesting you can see farther than you really can. The answer is to slow down at night, especially on unlit roads.

12 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Down at your own dashboard until the vehicle has passed
• B.At the centre line, to hold your position on the road
• C.Up and beyond, slightly to the right of the oncoming lightsAnswer
• D.Straight at the headlights, so you can judge the gap

Explanation: Look up and beyond, and slightly to the right of the oncoming lights: the glare falls outside your line of sight while the road ahead stays in it. Prevent glare in the first place by using low beams within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle, and within 60 metres of one you are following.

13 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Keep your sunglasses on so the exit does not dazzle you
• B.Speed up so you spend less time in the dark
• C.Switch on your high beams and hold your speed
• D.Slow down, take off your sunglasses and turn on your headlightsAnswer

Explanation: Your eyes need a moment to adjust to the drop in light, so slow down as you go in, take off your sunglasses and switch on your headlights — which also makes you visible to everyone else inside.

14 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.No — cruise control should not be used in snow or other bad weatherAnswer
• B.Yes — a steady speed is what prevents skids
• C.Yes, but only above 80 km/h
• D.Only if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes

Explanation: Do not use cruise control in snow or other inclement weather. On a slippery road it holds — or restores — speed at exactly the moment you should be easing off, and sudden accelerating, braking or steering is what starts a skid.

15 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Drive faster for a while to blow the water off
• B.Where it is safe, test the brakes by stopping quickly and firmly at 50 km/hAnswer
• C.Nothing — brakes are sealed, so water cannot reach them
• D.Pump the brakes hard while driving at highway speed

Explanation: Water makes brakes less effective, so dry them out: where it is safe, stop quickly and firmly at 50 km/h and check that the vehicle stops in a straight line without pulling to one side. A spongy pedal, or pulling that is still there once the brakes are dry, means the vehicle needs repair immediately.

16 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.The tail lights of the vehicle ahead, kept close
• B.None — stop where you are until the fog lifts
• C.The right edge of the roadAnswer
• D.The centre line, to keep clear of the ditch

Explanation: Steer by the right edge of the road rather than the centre line, which keeps your eyes — and your vehicle — away from oncoming traffic. Slow down, use low beams, leave more following distance, and never stop on the travelled part of the road: you would become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If the fog is too dense, pull completely off into a safe parking area.

17 of 17 · Safe driving

• A.Your reaction time is slower at night.
• B.You cannot see as far ahead at night.Answer
• C.Some drivers unlawfully drive with parking lights only.
• D.The roadways are more apt to be slippery at night.

Explanation: Even with headlights on you cannot see as far ahead at night as you can by day, so the posted maximum can easily be faster than you could stop within. Slow down at night, especially on unlit roads.