OMV Driving Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct action when your brakes suddenly fail while driving?
- Turn off the ignition immediately
- Pump the brakes, downshift, and use the parking brake gradually (Correct answer)
- Swerve onto the shoulder at full speed
- Release the steering wheel and brace for impact
Correct answer: Pump the brakes, downshift, and use the parking brake gradually
Pumping the brakes may restore hydraulic pressure, and gradually applying the parking brake helps slow the vehicle without spinning out.
Question 2: At a railroad crossing with flashing lights but no gate, you must:
- Slow to 15 mph and proceed carefully
- Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and no train is visible (Correct answer)
- Yield only if a train is visible
- Treat it as a yield sign
Correct answer: Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and no train is visible
Flashing lights at a railroad crossing mean a train is approaching; you must stop and wait until the lights stop and the crossing is clear.
Question 3: What is a safe following distance under normal driving conditions?
- One car length per 10 mph of speed
- The three-second rule (Correct answer)
- At least 50 feet at all times
- Two car lengths at highway speeds
Correct answer: The three-second rule
The three-second rule provides a safe buffer that accounts for reaction time and braking distance under normal conditions.
Question 4: When driving in fog, which lights should you use?
- High beams to see farther ahead
- Low beams or fog lights (Correct answer)
- Hazard lights only
- No lights, as they cause glare
Correct answer: Low beams or fog lights
High beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility; low beams or dedicated fog lights cut through fog more effectively.
Question 5: What should you do if you miss your exit on a highway?
- Stop and reverse along the shoulder to the exit
- Continue to the next exit and turn around safely (Correct answer)
- Cut across the gore area to catch the exit
- Make a U-turn on the highway
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit and turn around safely
Reversing or cutting across the gore area on a highway is extremely dangerous; proceed to the next exit and turn around.
Question 6: Which factor has the greatest effect on stopping distance?
- The driver's age
- The vehicle's speed (Correct answer)
- Tire brand
- Road color
Correct answer: The vehicle's speed
Stopping distance increases exponentially with speed; doubling your speed roughly quadruples the distance needed to stop.
Question 7: When passing a bicycle on a two-lane road, you should:
- Sound your horn to alert the cyclist before passing
- Pass as closely as possible to save space
- Allow at least three feet of clearance between your vehicle and the cyclist (Correct answer)
- Wait until the cyclist pulls completely off the road
Correct answer: Allow at least three feet of clearance between your vehicle and the cyclist
Most states require at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist to protect them from wind blast and accidental contact.
OMV Driving Safety 3
What is the correct action when your brakes suddenly fail while driving?