RI DMV Safe Driving Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving in heavy fog, you should use:
- Low-beam headlights (Correct answer)
- High-beam headlights
- Parking lights only
- Hazard lights while moving at normal speed
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
High beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility, so low beams are the safe choice.
Question 2: What does the acronym IPDE stand for in defensive driving?
- Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute (Correct answer)
- Inspect, Pass, Drive, Exit
- Identify, Pass, Detour, Escape
- Indicate, Predict, Drive, Evaluate
Correct answer: Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
IPDE is the defensive driving process of identifying hazards, predicting outcomes, deciding on an action, and executing it.
Question 3: If your brakes suddenly fail while driving, your first response should be to:
- Pump the brake pedal rapidly (Correct answer)
- Turn off the ignition
- Jump out of the vehicle
- Speed up to find a safe stopping area
Correct answer: Pump the brake pedal rapidly
Pumping the pedal may build enough hydraulic pressure to slow the vehicle before you downshift and use the parking brake.
Question 4: When passing a bicyclist on a Rhode Island road, drivers must:
- Leave a safe distance and pass at a reasonable speed (Correct answer)
- Honk continuously while passing
- Pass within one foot to save space
- Drive onto the shoulder to pass on the right
Correct answer: Leave a safe distance and pass at a reasonable speed
Rhode Island law requires drivers to pass bicyclists at a safe distance and prudent speed.
Question 5: Which of these is the best way to handle a tire blowout at highway speed?
- Grip the wheel firmly and ease off the gas (Correct answer)
- Brake as hard as possible
- Swerve quickly to the shoulder
- Shift into reverse
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly and ease off the gas
Holding the wheel steady and slowing gradually keeps the vehicle under control until you can pull off safely.
Question 6: When merging onto a highway, you should:
- Accelerate to match the speed of traffic (Correct answer)
- Stop at the end of the ramp and wait
- Merge at half the speed of traffic
- Force your way in and expect others to yield
Correct answer: Accelerate to match the speed of traffic
Matching traffic speed on the acceleration ramp lets you blend into a gap smoothly and safely.
Question 7: Why should you scan the road 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle?
- To spot hazards early and have time to react (Correct answer)
- To read every billboard
- To check the speed of vehicles behind you
- To keep your eyes fixed on one point
Correct answer: To spot hazards early and have time to react
Looking well ahead gives you time to identify hazards and adjust before they become emergencies.
RI DMV Safe Driving Techniques 3
When driving in heavy fog, you should use: