NJMVC Vehicle Safety Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At what speed does a vehicle's airbag system typically deploy during a frontal collision?
- 5 mph or more
- 8–14 mph or more (Correct answer)
- 25 mph or more
- 35 mph or more
Correct answer: 8–14 mph or more
Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate-to-severe frontal crashes, generally equivalent to hitting a solid wall at 8–14 mph or faster.
Question 2: Which component prevents a vehicle's wheels from locking up during hard braking?
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) (Correct answer)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Brake Assist System (BAS)
Correct answer: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
ABS modulates brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup, allowing the driver to maintain steering control during emergency stops.
Question 3: What should you do if your vehicle's tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light comes on?
- Drive to the nearest highway and reduce speed
- Check and adjust tire pressure as soon as safely possible (Correct answer)
- Ignore it if the vehicle handles normally
- Immediately pull over and call for a tow
Correct answer: Check and adjust tire pressure as soon as safely possible
The TPMS light indicates one or more tires is significantly underinflated, and you should check and correct tire pressure promptly.
Question 4: How does Electronic Stability Control (ESC) help a driver?
- It increases engine power on slippery roads
- It automatically applies brakes to individual wheels to prevent skidding (Correct answer)
- It locks the differential for better traction
- It stiffens the suspension during cornering
Correct answer: It automatically applies brakes to individual wheels to prevent skidding
ESC detects loss of steering control and automatically applies brakes to specific wheels to help the driver maintain the intended path.
Question 5: Where should a vehicle's headrests be positioned to be most effective in a rear-end collision?
- Level with the top of the shoulders
- Level with the top of the ears or higher (Correct answer)
- As low as possible for comfort
- Tilted forward at a 45-degree angle
Correct answer: Level with the top of the ears or higher
Headrests should be positioned at or above ear level to limit whiplash injury by supporting the head and neck during a rear impact.
Question 6: Which of the following is a sign that your vehicle's shock absorbers may need replacement?
- Engine warning light illuminates
- Vehicle continues to bounce after hitting a bump (Correct answer)
- Steering wheel vibrates at high speed only
- Headlights flicker when braking
Correct answer: Vehicle continues to bounce after hitting a bump
Worn shock absorbers allow the vehicle to bounce repeatedly after a bump because they can no longer dampen spring oscillations effectively.
Question 7: In New Jersey, daytime running lights (DRLs) are designed primarily to:
- Replace headlights in all low-light conditions
- Make the vehicle more visible to other road users during daylight (Correct answer)
- Reduce glare for oncoming drivers
- Illuminate road signs while driving in construction zones
Correct answer: Make the vehicle more visible to other road users during daylight
DRLs increase the visibility of a vehicle to other drivers and pedestrians during daytime driving, reducing certain types of crashes.
NJMVC Vehicle Safety Systems 2
At what speed does a vehicle's airbag system typically deploy during a frontal collision?