7D Defensive Driving and Speed Management 3

Question 1

Which factor is most consistently identified as the leading cause of school bus accidents?

Accepted Answer

Driver inattention or distraction

Answer

Driver distraction and inattention are the most common contributing factors in school bus accidents across safety studies.

Question 2

When is a school bus driver permitted to use high-beam headlights?

Accepted Answer

Only when no oncoming or preceding vehicles are within 500 feet

Answer

High beams must be dimmed when within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or when following another vehicle to avoid blinding other drivers.

Question 3

When driving a school bus in heavy fog, the driver should:

Accepted Answer

Use low beams or fog lights and significantly reduce speed

Answer

High beams reflect off fog and worsen visibility; low beams or fog lights minimize glare while reduced speed allows more reaction time.

Question 4

When approaching a curve with limited visibility (blind curve), a school bus driver should:

Accepted Answer

Reduce speed and remain in the proper lane

Answer

Reducing speed before a blind curve allows the driver time to react to hazards that only become visible as the vehicle rounds the bend.

Question 5

What is 'target fixation' and why is it a hazard for school bus drivers?

Accepted Answer

Staring at a single hazard to the exclusion of surrounding dangers, risking steering toward it

Answer

Target fixation causes drivers to unconsciously steer toward whatever they are staring at, which can direct the vehicle directly into the hazard.

(7D) 7D Pupil Driver Exam Practice Test