DE DMV Safe Driving Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct way to handle a tire blowout while driving?
- Slam the brakes immediately
- Turn sharply to the side of the blowout
- Hold the steering wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator gradually (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to maintain control
Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator gradually
During a blowout, grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas (do not brake hard), and steer gradually to the side of the road.
Question 2: When merging onto a Delaware highway, you should:
- Stop at the end of the ramp and wait for a gap
- Match highway speed and smoothly merge into traffic (Correct answer)
- Slow down and signal once on the highway
- Merge at any speed and let highway drivers adjust
Correct answer: Match highway speed and smoothly merge into traffic
Safely merging requires matching the speed of highway traffic and finding a gap to smoothly enter the flow without forcing others to brake.
Question 3: What is the safest action when a large truck is passing you on the highway?
- Speed up to get clear of the truck quickly
- Steer away from the truck and hold your lane position (Correct answer)
- Brake hard to let the truck pass faster
- Move to the shoulder until the truck passes
Correct answer: Steer away from the truck and hold your lane position
When a large truck passes, keep a firm grip on the wheel to counteract air turbulence and maintain your lane position without swerving.
Question 4: In Delaware, at what speed should you generally travel when road conditions are poor?
- The posted speed limit regardless of conditions
- As fast as traffic is moving
- A speed safe for existing conditions, even below the posted limit (Correct answer)
- 10 mph below the posted limit always
Correct answer: A speed safe for existing conditions, even below the posted limit
Delaware law requires driving at a safe speed for road conditions — even if that means driving well below the posted speed limit in ice, fog, or heavy rain.
Question 5: What should you do if your accelerator sticks while driving?
- Immediately turn off the ignition
- Shift to neutral, apply brakes, and pull to safety (Correct answer)
- Pump the gas pedal rapidly
- Steer sharply to reduce speed
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, apply brakes, and pull to safety
If the accelerator sticks, shift to neutral to disengage engine power, apply brakes firmly, and steer safely off the road.
Question 6: How should you position your hands on the steering wheel for optimal control?
- 12 o'clock position
- 10 and 2 o'clock or 9 and 3 o'clock positions (Correct answer)
- One hand at 6 o'clock
- Both hands at the bottom of the wheel
Correct answer: 10 and 2 o'clock or 9 and 3 o'clock positions
Driving safety experts recommend the 9 and 3 o'clock hand position for balanced steering control and safety if the airbag deploys.
DE DMV Safe Driving Practices 2
What is the correct way to handle a tire blowout while driving?