RTA Hazard Perception Scenarios 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are driving past a school bus that has stopped with flashing red lights and a stop arm extended. You are on the opposite side of an undivided road. What must you do?
- Slow to 15 mph and proceed cautiously
- Stop until the red lights stop flashing and the arm retracts (Correct answer)
- Proceed if no children are visible
- Yield only if children are crossing in front of you
Correct answer: Stop until the red lights stop flashing and the arm retracts
On an undivided road, all traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and extended stop arm.
Question 2: While driving in fog, you see another vehicle's taillights appear much brighter than expected. What does this signal?
- The vehicle is accelerating
- The vehicle is braking suddenly ahead of you (Correct answer)
- The vehicle has its high beams on
- The vehicle is pulling over to the shoulder
Correct answer: The vehicle is braking suddenly ahead of you
Bright taillights in fog mean the vehicle ahead is braking, requiring you to brake promptly to avoid a rear-end collision.
Question 3: You are approaching a green traffic light that has been green for a long time. What should you do?
- Speed up to clear the intersection before it changes
- Prepare to stop because the light may turn yellow or red soon (Correct answer)
- Maintain your current speed since the light is green
- Sound your horn to warn cross-traffic
Correct answer: Prepare to stop because the light may turn yellow or red soon
A light that has been green for a long time is likely to change soon, so you should cover your brake and be ready to stop.
Question 4: While driving on a mountain road, you see rocks and debris scattered across your lane. What hazard should you most anticipate?
- Loose gravel damaging your tires
- More rocks may be falling from above (Correct answer)
- Mud on the road surface ahead
- Wildlife crossing ahead
Correct answer: More rocks may be falling from above
Scattered debris on a mountain road suggests an active rockfall zone where additional rocks may be falling from above.
Question 5: You are driving and notice a pedestrian at a crosswalk is facing away from traffic and looking at a phone. What should you anticipate?
- The pedestrian is waiting and aware of traffic
- The pedestrian may step into the street unexpectedly (Correct answer)
- The pedestrian is waiting for a friend
- The pedestrian will wait for the walk signal
Correct answer: The pedestrian may step into the street unexpectedly
A distracted pedestrian looking at a phone may step into the street without checking for traffic, creating a sudden hazard.
Question 6: You are driving behind a large truck on the highway. The truck's brake lights come on suddenly. What is the best response?
- Steer around the truck immediately
- Brake firmly and check your mirrors for vehicles behind you (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn to signal the truck to pull over
- Move into the left lane before braking
Correct answer: Brake firmly and check your mirrors for vehicles behind you
Braking firmly and checking your mirrors ensures you slow down in time while also being aware of rear-end collision risk from vehicles behind you.
Question 7: While driving in an unfamiliar urban area, you notice parked cars lining both sides of a narrow street. What hazard should you watch for?
- Car doors opening into your path (Correct answer)
- Other vehicles speeding in the opposite direction
- Traffic signals being obscured by parked vehicles
- Potholes hidden under tire tracks
Correct answer: Car doors opening into your path
Doors from parked cars can open suddenly into your path, a hazard known as 'dooring' that is especially dangerous in narrow streets.
RTA Hazard Perception Scenarios 3
You are driving past a school bus that has stopped with flashing red lights and a stop arm extended.
You are on the opposite side of an undivided road.
What must you do?