RTA Road Safety & Defensive Driving 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When merging onto a highway, the correct procedure is to:
- Stop at the end of the ramp and wait for a gap
- Match the speed of highway traffic before merging (Correct answer)
- Force your way into traffic by moving over immediately
- Drive on the shoulder until space opens up
Correct answer: Match the speed of highway traffic before merging
You should use the acceleration lane to reach highway speed so you can merge smoothly without disrupting traffic flow.
Question 2: What is the safest response when you realize you have missed your highway exit?
- Brake hard and reverse on the shoulder
- Continue to the next exit (Correct answer)
- Cut across solid white lines to reach the exit
- Pull onto the median and turn around
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit
Missing an exit requires continuing to the next exit; reversing or cutting across lane markings is extremely dangerous and illegal.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT considered a component of the SIPDE defensive driving process?
- Search
- Identify
- Park (Correct answer)
- Decide
Correct answer: Park
SIPDE stands for Search, Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute — parking is not part of this hazard-response process.
Question 4: When driving behind a large truck, where is your blind spot risk greatest?
- Directly behind the truck (Correct answer)
- Ahead and to the left of the truck
- Beside the truck in the passing lane
- About 200 feet behind the truck
Correct answer: Directly behind the truck
The area directly behind a large truck is a major blind spot, and tailgating also blocks your own forward visibility and stopping distance.
Question 5: What is 'road rage' classified as from a safety perspective?
- A normal stress response that passes quickly
- An aggressive driving behavior that endangers all road users (Correct answer)
- Only illegal if it results in property damage
- Acceptable if another driver was at fault first
Correct answer: An aggressive driving behavior that endangers all road users
Road rage is an aggressive behavior that can escalate into dangerous confrontations and crashes, endangering the driver and everyone nearby.
Question 6: The 'two-second rule' helps drivers maintain:
- A safe following distance (Correct answer)
- Proper lane positioning
- Correct mirror adjustment
- Adequate tire pressure
Correct answer: A safe following distance
The two-second rule is a simple method to estimate a safe following distance under normal driving conditions.
Question 7: If your vehicle begins to skid on a slippery surface, you should steer:
- Opposite to the direction of the skid
- Into the direction the rear is sliding (Correct answer)
- Straight ahead regardless of the skid direction
- Toward the nearest guardrail to scrub speed
Correct answer: Into the direction the rear is sliding
Steering into the skid (in the direction the rear is sliding) helps realign the vehicle and regain control.
RTA Road Safety & Defensive Driving 3
When merging onto a highway, the correct procedure is to: