Emergency Vehicle Operations Flashcards
7 cards from real POST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Vehicle Operations flashcards as text
When approaching a blind intersection with emergency lights and siren activated, an officer should:
Answer: Cover the brake and prepare to stop if necessary
Officers must cover the brake and be prepared to stop at blind intersections regardless of emergency status, because other drivers may not yield in time.
The 'coefficient of friction' in emergency vehicle operations refers to:
Answer: The grip between tires and the road surface
Coefficient of friction describes how much grip exists between the tire and road surface, directly affecting braking distance and vehicle control.
During a pursuit, if a fleeing vehicle turns into oncoming traffic, the pursuing officer should FIRST:
Answer: Notify dispatch and attempt to parallel the suspect on a different route
Officers should not follow into oncoming traffic; instead they should notify dispatch and attempt a parallel route to reduce public risk.
Which condition MOST significantly increases stopping distance during emergency vehicle operations?
Answer: Wet or icy road surfaces
Wet or icy road surfaces drastically reduce tire friction, significantly increasing the distance required to bring the vehicle to a stop.
What is the primary purpose of a 'pursuit intervention technique' (PIT)?
Answer: To cause a controlled loss of control in the suspect vehicle to end a pursuit
The PIT maneuver uses the patrol vehicle to contact the rear quarter of the suspect vehicle, causing a controlled spin that ends the pursuit.
An officer operating an emergency vehicle in California is exempt from traffic laws ONLY when:
Answer: Emergency lights and siren are both activated and due regard for safety is exercised
California law grants emergency exemptions only when both audible and visual signals are in use and the officer exercises due regard for safety of all persons.
When driving on a wet surface at 60 mph and the vehicle begins to hydroplane, the officer should:
Answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the desired direction
During hydroplaning, the driver should gradually reduce speed by lifting off the gas and make only smooth, gentle steering inputs until tires regain contact.