SAAQ - Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec Highway Safety Code Rules Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are driving on a highway with a posted speed limit of 100 km/h. You approach a stopped emergency vehicle with its flashing lights activated on the right shoulder. Which of the following actions is required by the Highway Safety Code?
- Maintain your speed and move to the far left of your lane.
- Slow down significantly and, if safe to do so, change to a lane that is not adjacent to the emergency vehicle. (Correct answer)
- Stop behind the emergency vehicle until it moves.
- Honk your horn to signal your approach and pass quickly.
Correct answer: Slow down significantly and, if safe to do so, change to a lane that is not adjacent to the emergency vehicle.
Quebec's 'Move-Over Law' (corridor de sécurité) requires drivers to slow down to a safe and reasonable speed and, when possible and safe, to change lanes to create a buffer between their vehicle and a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, or surveillance vehicle with its lights activated. This protects emergency responders and workers.
Question 2: Under what circumstances is a driver in Quebec permitted to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a vehicle?
- When stopped at a red light or in heavy traffic.
- When using the phone's GPS navigation feature.
- Only when making a 911 emergency call.
- Under no circumstances, as it is strictly prohibited to hold a portable electronic device while driving. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Under no circumstances, as it is strictly prohibited to hold a portable electronic device while driving.
The Highway Safety Code explicitly forbids holding any portable electronic device while driving. This includes when the vehicle is temporarily stopped in a traffic lane, such as at a red light or in a traffic jam. To use a phone, it must be mounted on a stand and used for information relevant to driving, or operated via a hands-free system.
Question 3: When passing a cyclist on a road with a speed limit of 60 km/h, what is the minimum required distance you must maintain between your vehicle and the cyclist?
- 0.5 metres
- 1 metre
- 1.5 metres (Correct answer)
- A reasonable and safe distance, not specified by law.
Correct answer: 1.5 metres
The Highway Safety Code specifies the minimum distance for passing a cyclist, which depends on the speed limit. On a road where the speed limit is over 50 km/h, drivers must maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres. If the speed limit is 50 km/h or less, the minimum distance is 1 metre.
Question 4: A driver is found guilty of using a cell phone while driving for the first time. Which of the following penalties will they face?
- A warning and 2 demerit points.
- A fine between $100 and $200 and a 3-day licence suspension.
- A fine between $300 and $600 and 5 demerit points. (Correct answer)
- A mandatory driving course on the dangers of distracted driving.
Correct answer: A fine between $300 and $600 and 5 demerit points.
For a first offence of using a hand-held electronic device while driving, the penalties are a fine ranging from $300 to $600 and the addition of 5 demerit points to the driver's record. Repeat offences within a two-year period lead to harsher penalties, including immediate licence suspension.
Question 5: You approach a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and its stop sign extended. You are on the opposite side of a highway that is separated by a median. What must you do?
- Stop at least 5 metres away from the bus and wait for the lights to stop flashing.
- Slow down to 30 km/h and pass with caution.
- Proceed with caution, as you are not required to stop because of the median. (Correct answer)
- Stop only if there are children crossing the road from the bus.
Correct answer: Proceed with caution, as you are not required to stop because of the median.
The Highway Safety Code requires all traffic to stop at least 5 metres from a school bus with its red lights flashing. However, an exception is made for vehicles traveling on the opposite side of a road that is separated by a median or other physical divider. In this scenario, you are not required to stop.
Question 6: Which of the following statements about passing another vehicle is TRUE according to Quebec's Highway Safety Code?
- You are permitted to exceed the speed limit by 10 km/h while passing.
- You may cross a solid single or double yellow line to pass a farm tractor. (Correct answer)
- Passing on the right is never permitted.
- You must always sound your horn before initiating a pass on a two-lane road.
Correct answer: You may cross a solid single or double yellow line to pass a farm tractor.
While it is generally forbidden to cross a solid line, the Highway Safety Code provides an exception allowing drivers to cross a solid single or double line to pass certain slow-moving vehicles, including a farm tractor, provided the maneuver can be done safely. Drivers must not exceed the posted speed limit when passing.
SAAQ - Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec Highway Safety Code Rules Questions and Answers 1
You are driving on a highway with a posted speed limit of 100 km/h.
You approach a stopped emergency vehicle with its flashing lights activated on the right shoulder.
Which of the following actions is required by the Highway Safety Code?