Test Your Knowledge with the Carwise “Be Car Smart” Safe Driving Quiz.
Traffic laws are changing often, and it may have been awhile since your last driving test. It is always good to stay current and be sure you’re practicing safe driving. We’ve compiled a series of questions to help you become a safer driver.
1. Roundabouts are found to result in ____ crashes than traditional intersections?
a. Fewer
b. More
c. The same amount of
d. Higher Impact
2. Statistically speaking, your chances of collision are highest:
a. On a highway
b. At an intersection
c. When pulling out of a parking space
d. When passing another vehicle
3. How much room should there be between your chest and the steering wheel?
a. Less than 6 inches
b. 6 to 8 inches
c. 8 to 10 inches
d. 10 to 12 inches
4. You should use your signal ___ feet prior to making a turn.
a. 25
b. 50
c. 75
d. 100
5. Can you make a right turn on a red light at an intersection with a red light camera?
a. Yes, if you come to a complete stop before making your turn.
b. No. Wait for the light to change to green before making your turn.
c. Yes. Slow down, check to see if it is clear, and make your turn.
d. Both A and C.
6. What is a safe and efficient steering wheel hand position?
a. 10 and 2 o’clock position
b. 9 and 3 o’clock position
c. 7 and 4 o’clock position
d. One hand on the wheel at the 12 o’clock position
7. In 2014, how many US states have a ban on texting while driving?
a. 10
b. 24
c. 44
d. 50
8. When driving, how much distance should you keep between your car and the vehicle in front of you?
a. 3 feet behind the car you are following
b. 3 car lengths behind the car you are following
c. 3 seconds or more behind the car you are following
d. 30 seconds behind the car that you are following
9. Which situation is NOT a rule for yielding right of way?
a. If two vehicles begin to enter an intersection at the same time and there are no traffic signs or signals, drivers should motion to each other to decide who goes first.
b. You are required to yield to any authorized emergency vehicle, such as police cars, fire engines and ambulances, when these vehicles are giving a signal by siren or flashing lights.
c. You must yield the right of way to school children entering or leaving a school bus.
d. If you have stopped for a traffic light at an intersection and want to turn left when the green light appears, you must yield to traffic that is waiting on the opposite side of the traffic light.
10. When should you avoid passing another vehicle?
a. On a hill or curve
b. At any railroad crossing
c. Road construction area
d. All of the above
Answers:
1) A. Fewer. Roundabouts – also known as traffic circles – result in slower speeds and fewer crashes, especially the right-angle and head-on crashes that often result in injuries or even deaths.
2) B. Intersections. Crashes often occur at intersections because there are a variety of activities such as turning left, crossing over, turning right, red camera lights, and pedestrians causing a higher possibility for conflicts.
3) D. 10 and 12 inches. Keeping 10 to 12 inches between your chest and the steering wheel will protect yourself in case the airbag suddenly deploys.
4) D. 100 feet. Get into the proper lane and give a signal for at least 100 feet (about one fourth of an average city block) before reaching the intersection and making the turn.
5) A. Yes, but make a complete stop. The law requires motorists to come to a stop before making the right turn on a red signal. The camera will capture your illegal turn as a red light violation if you don’t stop.
6) B. 9 and 3 o’clock. The old school wisdom was to position hands at 10 and 2 o’clock. As air bags became common, this led to the wrist and arm fractures when air bags deployed and arms were flung into rearview mirrors or A-pillars. To avoid that occurrence, many safety advocates now recommend positioning hands at 9 and 3 o’clock on the steering wheel.
7) C. 44. Currently, 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers.
8) C. 3 seconds. To achieve the 3 second spacing between you and the car ahead of you, when that car passes a landmark, such as a tree or an exit sign, start counting. If you pass the same spot before you count to three, you’re driving too close to the other car.
9) A. If two vehicles begin to enter an intersection at the same time and there are no traffic signs or signals, the vehicle on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
10) D. All of the above.
