ME DMV Special Driving Conditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: If a tire blows out while you are driving, the safest response is to:
- Brake hard immediately to stop as quickly as possible
- Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and slow down gradually (Correct answer)
- Turn sharply toward the shoulder
- Accelerate briefly to maintain vehicle stability
Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and slow down gradually
Gripping the wheel firmly and gradually decelerating allows you to maintain control until you can safely steer off the road.
Question 2: When driving in snow or on ice, which action should you avoid?
- Reducing your speed well before turns
- Increasing your following distance
- Making sudden braking or sharp steering inputs (Correct answer)
- Using a lower gear on steep downhill slopes
Correct answer: Making sudden braking or sharp steering inputs
Sudden braking or sharp turns on snow and ice can cause skidding, so all actions should be smooth and gradual.
Question 3: If your vehicle breaks down on a Maine highway, you should:
- Stay in your vehicle in the travel lane with the engine running
- Move as far off the roadway as possible and activate your hazard lights (Correct answer)
- Stand behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic
- Walk to the nearest exit immediately without calling for help
Correct answer: Move as far off the roadway as possible and activate your hazard lights
Moving fully off the roadway and turning on hazard lights makes your vehicle visible while keeping you and passengers away from traffic.
Question 4: Maine law requires drivers to turn on headlights when windshield wipers are in use because:
- Wipers drain the battery if lights are not on
- Precipitation reduces visibility, making your vehicle harder for others to see (Correct answer)
- High beams help wiper blades move faster
- It helps the defroster work more efficiently
Correct answer: Precipitation reduces visibility, making your vehicle harder for others to see
Maine's headlight law ties wiper use to headlight use because any precipitation that requires wipers also reduces your visibility to other drivers.
Question 5: To recover from a rear-wheel skid, you should:
- Brake firmly and steer straight ahead
- Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go (Correct answer)
- Accelerate and steer in the opposite direction of the skid
- Apply the parking brake to slow the rear wheels
Correct answer: Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
Easing off the accelerator reduces the force causing the skid while steering toward your desired direction helps realign the vehicle.
Question 6: When is it appropriate to use your vehicle's horn?
- To express frustration when another driver cuts you off
- To warn others of a potential hazard or to avoid a collision (Correct answer)
- To signal your arrival at a destination
- As a substitute for turn signals when changing lanes
Correct answer: To warn others of a potential hazard or to avoid a collision
The horn is a safety device intended to warn other road users of danger, not to communicate frustration or impatience.
Question 7: When driving in rain, which of the following is most likely to cause hydroplaning?
- Driving at low speeds with good tires
- Driving at highway speeds on worn or under-inflated tires (Correct answer)
- Using cruise control on a dry road
- Braking gently on a wet surface
Correct answer: Driving at highway speeds on worn or under-inflated tires
High speeds combined with worn or under-inflated tires greatly increase the risk of hydroplaning because the tires cannot channel water away effectively.
ME DMV Special Driving Conditions 2
If a tire blows out while you are driving, the safest response is to: