RTA Hazard Perception Scenarios 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are driving on a highway when a vehicle ahead suddenly swerves into your lane. What is the safest immediate response?
- Speed up to pass quickly
- Brake firmly and steer toward the shoulder if needed (Correct answer)
- Sound your horn and maintain speed
- Flash your headlights repeatedly
Correct answer: Brake firmly and steer toward the shoulder if needed
Braking and steering toward the shoulder gives you the best chance to avoid a collision when another vehicle invades your lane.
Question 2: While driving through a residential area, a ball rolls into the street. What hazard should you anticipate?
- A dog chasing the ball
- A child running after the ball (Correct answer)
- Another vehicle swerving to avoid the ball
- The ball bouncing into your windshield
Correct answer: A child running after the ball
Children often chase balls into the street without looking, making a child running out the primary hazard to anticipate.
Question 3: You approach an intersection and notice a driver in the cross street is not slowing down despite a red light. What should you do?
- Proceed since you have a green light
- Honk and accelerate through the intersection
- Cover the brake and prepare to yield even though you have right of way (Correct answer)
- Come to a complete stop and wait for police
Correct answer: Cover the brake and prepare to yield even though you have right of way
Covering your brake and being ready to yield protects you even when you legally have the right of way against a potential red-light runner.
Question 4: On a two-lane road, you see a truck parked on the right shoulder with its hazard lights on. What hazard should you consider?
- The truck may pull out suddenly
- Pedestrians or workers may be in or near the road (Correct answer)
- The truck's lights may blind oncoming traffic
- Road debris may be hidden behind the truck
Correct answer: Pedestrians or workers may be in or near the road
A disabled or parked truck with hazard lights may have workers, passengers, or bystanders stepping onto the roadway nearby.
Question 5: You're driving in heavy rain and notice the car ahead is throwing up large spray. What does this indicate?
- The road is draining properly
- Standing water may cause hydroplaning (Correct answer)
- The vehicle ahead has a leaking radiator
- Road workers are washing the highway
Correct answer: Standing water may cause hydroplaning
Large spray from tires indicates standing water on the road that could cause your vehicle to hydroplane and lose steering control.
Question 6: While driving at dusk, you see a cyclist wearing dark clothing ahead. What is the best action?
- Flash your high beams to alert the cyclist
- Reduce speed and increase following distance significantly (Correct answer)
- Change lanes immediately without checking mirrors
- Sound the horn continuously until you pass
Correct answer: Reduce speed and increase following distance significantly
Reducing speed and increasing following distance gives you more time to react if the poorly visible cyclist moves unexpectedly.
Question 7: You are driving on the freeway and notice a vehicle weaving between lanes at irregular speeds. What should you do?
- Overtake the vehicle as quickly as possible
- Tailgate the vehicle to encourage it to pull over
- Increase your following distance and avoid driving alongside it (Correct answer)
- Flash your lights and honk to alert the driver
Correct answer: Increase your following distance and avoid driving alongside it
Increasing your following distance and avoiding driving beside an erratic driver reduces your risk of being involved in a collision.
RTA Hazard Perception Scenarios 2
You are driving on a highway when a vehicle ahead suddenly swerves into your lane.
What is the safest immediate response?