Vehicle Safety and Emergencies Flashcards

Which of the following best describes 'defensive driving' in the context of vehicle safety?

Answer: Anticipating hazards and adjusting driving to prevent accidents

Defensive driving means proactively identifying potential hazards and adjusting speed, position, and behavior to avoid collisions.

If a child darts into the road in front of you and you cannot stop in time, the best action is to:

Answer: Brake firmly and steer to the safest available escape path

Hard braking combined with steering toward the least-harm path maximizes the chance of avoiding or minimizing injury.

When is it appropriate to drive on the shoulder of a highway?

Answer: During an emergency to pull out of traffic

The shoulder is reserved for emergency stops or breakdowns, not for passing or general travel.

What is the recommended minimum following distance in ideal driving conditions?

Answer: A 3-second gap behind the vehicle ahead

The 3-second rule provides enough time to react and brake safely under normal conditions.

Your steering suddenly becomes very difficult to turn. This most likely indicates:

Answer: Power steering failure or loss of fluid

Loss of power steering assistance causes the wheel to become significantly harder to turn, requiring immediate attention.

What should you do if your brakes suddenly feel spongy or sink to the floor?

Answer: Pump the brakes rapidly and steer to safety

Pumping the brakes may rebuild enough hydraulic pressure for some stopping power while you steer to a safe area.

A vehicle fire under the hood while driving requires you to:

Answer: Pull over, exit the vehicle, move away, and call emergency services

Opening the hood feeds oxygen to the fire and staying in or near the vehicle risks injury from explosion or toxic fumes.