AZDOT Desert Driving Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Arizona's 'Move Over' law requires drivers to do what when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle on the highway?
- Honk to alert workers and maintain speed
- Move over one lane away or slow to 20 mph below the posted limit if unable to move over (Correct answer)
- Stop completely until the vehicle moves
- Flash headlights and slow to 45 mph
Correct answer: Move over one lane away or slow to 20 mph below the posted limit if unable to move over
Arizona law requires drivers to move one lane away from stationary emergency, maintenance, or tow vehicles, or slow to 20 mph below the speed limit if a lane change isn't possible.
Question 2: During a desert road trip, your tire blows out at highway speed. What is the correct first action?
- Immediately slam on the brakes
- Grip the wheel firmly, maintain course, and gradually ease off the accelerator (Correct answer)
- Swerve quickly to the shoulder
- Shift into neutral immediately
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, maintain course, and gradually ease off the accelerator
Sudden braking or swerving after a blowout can cause loss of control — the correct response is to grip the wheel firmly and decelerate gradually.
Question 3: What unique desert road hazard do cattle grids (cattle guards) present for motorcyclists in Arizona?
- They create heat mirages that obscure the road
- Metal grates can become extremely slippery when wet and trap motorcycle tires (Correct answer)
- They produce dust clouds that reduce visibility
- They cause vehicles to lose traction due to loose gravel around them
Correct answer: Metal grates can become extremely slippery when wet and trap motorcycle tires
Cattle guards have parallel metal bars that can catch motorcycle tires, and they become especially slick when wet, requiring motorcyclists to slow down and cross straight.
Question 4: In the Arizona desert, road surfaces can reach temperatures exceeding 150°F. How does this affect tire safety?
- Hot roads improve tire grip and reduce stopping distances
- Extreme heat increases tire pressure and can cause blowouts in underinflated tires (Correct answer)
- Hot roads cause tires to harden and lose flexibility
- Tire pressure decreases significantly on hot roads
Correct answer: Extreme heat increases tire pressure and can cause blowouts in underinflated tires
Desert heat increases air pressure inside tires; already overinflated or damaged tires are at high risk of blowout on hot desert roads.
Question 5: When approaching a railroad crossing in Arizona with limited sight lines due to desert terrain, you should:
- Speed up to cross quickly before a train arrives
- Stop, look both ways, and proceed only when certain the tracks are clear (Correct answer)
- Slow to 15 mph and proceed if no signal is active
- Honk to alert any approaching train and proceed
Correct answer: Stop, look both ways, and proceed only when certain the tracks are clear
Arizona has many rural at-grade crossings where sightlines are limited; always stop and verify the crossing is clear before proceeding.
Question 6: What does a 'reduced speed ahead' sign in a desert construction zone legally require of Arizona drivers?
- Slow down only if workers are visible
- Begin slowing immediately to reach the posted speed before entering the zone (Correct answer)
- Slow down only during daylight hours
- The speed reduction is advisory, not mandatory
Correct answer: Begin slowing immediately to reach the posted speed before entering the zone
Drivers must begin decelerating when they see the reduced speed sign and reach the new limit before entering the construction zone, not after.
Question 7: Arizona roads in desert regions frequently have 'soft shoulder' warnings. What hazard does a soft shoulder present?
- The shoulder may have excess sand that can cause a vehicle to slide and roll when returning to the pavement (Correct answer)
- The shoulder is reserved for emergency vehicles only
- Soft shoulders indicate construction and are closed to all traffic
- The area has reduced speed limits due to noise ordinances
Correct answer: The shoulder may have excess sand that can cause a vehicle to slide and roll when returning to the pavement
A soft or sandy shoulder can grab your tires, and the abrupt edge between the shoulder and pavement can cause a vehicle to flip when attempting to steer back onto the road.
AZDOT Desert Driving Safety 3
Arizona's 'Move Over' law requires drivers to do what when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle on the highway?