DKT NSW Fatigue and Distraction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the effect of fatigue on driving ability?
- It only affects reaction time slightly
- It impairs judgement, reaction time, and awareness similar to alcohol (Correct answer)
- It mainly affects vision but not decision-making
- It has no measurable effect if the driver feels confident
Correct answer: It impairs judgement, reaction time, and awareness similar to alcohol
Fatigue impairs judgement, slows reaction time, and reduces situational awareness in ways that are comparable to alcohol impairment.
Question 2: What does the term 'highway hypnosis' refer to?
- A hallucination caused by dehydration
- A trance-like state from monotonous driving that reduces alertness (Correct answer)
- Dizziness caused by high-speed motorway driving
- Drowsiness caused by driving in heavy traffic
Correct answer: A trance-like state from monotonous driving that reduces alertness
Highway hypnosis is a trance-like state that can occur during long, monotonous drives, reducing a driver's conscious awareness of the road.
Question 3: In NSW, a P1 provisional driver is caught using a hand-held phone while driving. What is the consequence?
- A fine only, no demerit points
- A fine and demerit points which may lead to suspension (Correct answer)
- A warning and driver education course
- Immediate licence cancellation
Correct answer: A fine and demerit points which may lead to suspension
P1 drivers receive the same fine and demerit points as other drivers, but because their threshold for suspension is lower, the consequences can be more severe.
Question 4: Which of the following activities is ILLEGAL for all NSW drivers while operating a moving vehicle?
- Talking through a Bluetooth earpiece connected to a mounted phone
- Eating a sandwich
- Texting on a phone held in the hand (Correct answer)
- Adjusting the radio controls on the steering wheel
Correct answer: Texting on a phone held in the hand
Texting on a hand-held phone is illegal for all drivers in NSW regardless of speed or traffic conditions.
Question 5: How many demerit points does a NSW driver lose for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving (standard penalty)?
- 1 point
- 3 points
- 5 points (Correct answer)
- 4 points
Correct answer: 5 points
In NSW, the standard penalty for illegal mobile phone use while driving is 5 demerit points (10 in a school zone).
Question 6: Which of the following is a recognised warning sign of driver fatigue?
- Increased confidence in lane positioning
- Difficulty keeping eyes focused and heavy eyelids (Correct answer)
- Faster reaction times due to adrenaline
- Improved concentration from alert driving
Correct answer: Difficulty keeping eyes focused and heavy eyelids
Heavy eyelids and difficulty focusing are classic early warning signs of fatigue that indicate a driver should stop and rest immediately.
Question 7: For a fully licensed NSW driver, how many demerit points can accumulate before their licence is suspended?
- 10 points in any period
- 13 points in a 3-year period (Correct answer)
- 8 points in a 2-year period
- 15 points in any 5-year period
Correct answer: 13 points in a 3-year period
A fully licensed driver in NSW can accumulate up to 13 demerit points within a 3-year period before their licence is suspended.
DKT NSW Fatigue and Distraction 2
Which of the following best describes the effect of fatigue on driving ability?