ME DMV Safe Driving Practices — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary cause of most motor vehicle crashes in Maine?
- Driver distraction and inattention (Correct answer)
- Poor road conditions
- Vehicle mechanical failure
- Bad weather
Correct answer: Driver distraction and inattention
According to Maine crash statistics, driver distraction and inattention are the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes, far exceeding mechanical or environmental factors.
Question 2: When driving in fog in Maine, which headlight setting should you use?
- Low beams (Correct answer)
- High beams
- Parking lights only
- Hazard lights
Correct answer: Low beams
Low beams should be used in fog because they direct light downward onto the road. High beams reflect off fog particles and create glare that reduces visibility further.
Question 3: What should you do if your vehicle starts to hydroplane on a wet Maine road?
- Take your foot off the gas and steer straight (Correct answer)
- Brake hard immediately
- Accelerate to push through the water
- Turn the steering wheel sharply
Correct answer: Take your foot off the gas and steer straight
When hydroplaning, ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel straight. Braking hard or turning sharply can cause a loss of control.
Question 4: In Maine, what is the safest action when approaching a curve?
- Slow down before entering the curve (Correct answer)
- Brake during the curve
- Accelerate through the curve
- Maintain your current speed
Correct answer: Slow down before entering the curve
The safest practice is to reduce speed before entering a curve. Braking in a curve can cause loss of traction, and accelerating may cause the vehicle to leave the road.
Question 5: What should you do if a tire blows out while driving in Maine?
- Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and gradually slow down (Correct answer)
- Brake immediately and pull over
- Accelerate to maintain control
- Turn the steering wheel toward the blown tire
Correct answer: Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and gradually slow down
During a tire blowout, maintain control by holding the steering wheel firmly, easing off the gas pedal, and gradually slowing down before safely pulling off the road.
Question 6: What is the recommended technique for driving on icy roads in Maine during winter?
- Reduce speed significantly, increase following distance, and avoid sudden movements (Correct answer)
- Drive at normal speed with extra caution
- Use cruise control to maintain steady speed
- Pump the brakes frequently to test traction
Correct answer: Reduce speed significantly, increase following distance, and avoid sudden movements
On icy Maine roads, reduce speed well below the posted limit, increase following distance to 8-10 seconds, and avoid sudden acceleration, braking, or steering inputs.
ME DMV Safe Driving Practices
What is the primary cause of most motor vehicle crashes in Maine?