7D Defensive Driving and Speed Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pupil driver should reduce speed below the posted limit when:
- Only when directed by a law enforcement officer
- Road conditions, weather, or visibility make the posted limit unsafe (Correct answer)
- Never — posted limits represent the safest speed in all conditions
- Only during the hours when students are being transported
Correct answer: Road conditions, weather, or visibility make the posted limit unsafe
Posted speed limits are maximums under ideal conditions; drivers must always reduce speed when conditions are hazardous.
Question 2: When descending a long, steep grade, a school bus driver should:
- Apply the brakes continuously to control speed
- Shift to a lower gear and use engine braking supplemented by service brakes (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to pass through the grade more quickly
- Place the transmission in neutral to reduce engine load
Correct answer: Shift to a lower gear and use engine braking supplemented by service brakes
Engine braking via lower gears prevents brake overheating (brake fade) that results from continuous brake application on long downgrades.
Question 3: Under California Vehicle Code Section 22406, what is the maximum speed a school bus may travel?
- 45 mph
- 55 mph (Correct answer)
- 65 mph
- 70 mph
Correct answer: 55 mph
California law limits school buses to a maximum speed of 55 mph regardless of the posted freeway speed limit.
Question 4: When a red traffic light turns green, the safest action for a school bus driver is to:
- Accelerate immediately to keep pace with surrounding traffic
- Check all mirrors and scan the intersection before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Honk to alert pedestrians, then proceed at normal speed
- Wait at least 10 full seconds before moving
Correct answer: Check all mirrors and scan the intersection before proceeding
A green light grants the right of way but does not guarantee the intersection is clear; checking mirrors and scanning prevents collisions from red-light runners.
Question 5: How does a fully loaded school bus compare to an empty one in terms of stopping distance?
- A loaded bus stops faster due to greater tire-to-road contact
- A loaded bus requires significantly longer stopping distance (Correct answer)
- Stopping distance is nearly identical regardless of passenger load
- A loaded bus stops faster because added weight improves stability
Correct answer: A loaded bus requires significantly longer stopping distance
A fully loaded bus has greater mass, which creates more momentum and requires a longer distance to bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
Question 6: When following a vehicle that is braking erratically and unpredictably, a school bus driver should:
- Maintain the standard 4-second following distance
- Increase following distance to allow more reaction time (Correct answer)
- Pass the vehicle as quickly as possible
- Reduce following distance so the erratic driver cannot change lanes
Correct answer: Increase following distance to allow more reaction time
Erratic behavior ahead demands extra following distance so the bus driver has sufficient reaction time for sudden or unexpected stops.
Question 7: When driving a school bus on a wet road, the driver should:
- Maintain the same speed as in dry conditions since ABS compensates
- Reduce speed and increase following distance (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to minimize time spent in unsafe conditions
- Engage cruise control to maintain consistent speed
Correct answer: Reduce speed and increase following distance
Wet roads reduce traction and extend stopping distances, requiring reduced speed and greater following distance to maintain safety.
7D Defensive Driving and Speed Management 2
A pupil driver should reduce speed below the posted limit when: