AK DMV Sharing the Road 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A school bus with flashing red lights is stopped on the opposite side of an undivided two-lane road. What must you do?
- Stop until the lights stop flashing (Correct answer)
- Slow to 20 mph and proceed
- Proceed normally since you are in the opposite lane
- Yield only if children are visible
Correct answer: Stop until the lights stop flashing
On an undivided road, traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.
Question 2: Under Alaska's Move Over law, what should you do when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a multi-lane highway?
- Move over one lane if safe, or slow down significantly (Correct answer)
- Stop completely beside the vehicle
- Turn on hazard lights and maintain speed
- Honk to alert the responders
Correct answer: Move over one lane if safe, or slow down significantly
Alaska law requires vacating the adjacent lane when safe, or slowing to a prudent speed if you cannot move over.
Question 3: Why do loaded large trucks need much more distance to stop than cars?
- Their greater weight increases stopping distance (Correct answer)
- Their brakes are weaker by design
- Truck drivers react more slowly
- Their tires have less traction than car tires
Correct answer: Their greater weight increases stopping distance
A loaded truck's massive weight can require nearly twice the stopping distance of a passenger car.
Question 4: A snowmachine (snowmobile) crossing is marked ahead on a rural Alaska highway. What should you expect?
- Snowmachines may cross the roadway at that location (Correct answer)
- Snowmachines are banned from the area
- The road surface is icy year-round
- You must stop before proceeding
Correct answer: Snowmachines may cross the roadway at that location
Snowmachine crossing signs warn Alaska drivers that snowmobiles may cross the highway there.
Question 5: When following a snowplow that is actively clearing an Alaska road, you should:
- Stay well back and pass only when the driver can see you and it is safe (Correct answer)
- Pass immediately on the right where it is clear
- Follow closely to use the freshly cleared lane
- Flash your lights until the plow pulls over
Correct answer: Stay well back and pass only when the driver can see you and it is safe
Snowplows create snow clouds and may shift suddenly, so keep a long distance and pass only when clearly safe.
Question 6: A motorcyclist ahead of you is riding in the left portion of the lane. Why might this be?
- The rider is positioning to be visible and avoid road hazards (Correct answer)
- The rider is inviting you to share the lane
- The rider must always stay left by law
- The rider is preparing to exit the roadway
Correct answer: The rider is positioning to be visible and avoid road hazards
Motorcyclists adjust lane position for visibility and to avoid debris, and they are entitled to the full lane.
Question 7: What should you do when a transit bus signals to re-enter traffic from a bus stop?
- Slow down and let the bus merge when safe (Correct answer)
- Speed up to pass before it merges
- Honk to assert your right-of-way
- Stop completely in your lane
Correct answer: Slow down and let the bus merge when safe
Courteous drivers yield to buses re-entering traffic, which keeps traffic flowing safely.
AK DMV Sharing the Road 3
A school bus with flashing red lights is stopped on the opposite side of an undivided two-lane road.
What must you do?