CLASS FOUR

Basic Driving Skills

Residential and City Driving
Expressway Driving,
Night Driving,
Driving in Hazardous Conditions, Snow, Icey Road, Rain, and Fog
Winter Driving and Emergency Prepardness
Summer Driving

Rail Road Crossing
Ramp Metering
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
Single Point Urban Interchange
Hydroplaning
Vehicle Malfunctions
Tire Blowout
Brake Failure
Car Skiding
Car Stall on Highway
Headlight Failure
Pedal Stuck
Sudden Distraction

  1. What percentage of car crashes is as a result of driver error?

Answer: 75%

  1. What is the time of day when most crashes happen in Utah

Answer:  2 pm to 6 pm

  1. The highest rate of car crashes in Utah occurred in what areas:

Answer: Shopping and business areas

  1. The America motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages

Answer:  1 to 24

  1. What is Defensive Driving?

Answer:  Defensive Driving involves looking out for possible crashes and mistakes other drivers may make.

  1. Over half the drivers killed in two-car crashes in Utah were not at fault
  2. What is the difference between freeway and city streets?

Answer:  Freeways are without traffic light, so it get us to where we are going faster, while city streets are full of traffic lights and stop signs, it slow down traffic.

  1. List 10 things you cannot do on a freeway
  2. Do not tailgate
  3. Don not make U-Turns
  4. Do not drive in the emergency lane
  5. Do not insist on going the minimum speed limit during bad weather
  6. Do not drive so slowly that you block traffic
  7. Do not use an entrance ramp to exit the freeway
  8. Do not insist on the right-of-way
  9. Do not cross over the solid white line to enter a traffic lane
  10. Do not pass unless it is safe to do so
  11. Do not drive in the left lane, it is for passing only
  12. What is Ramp Metering?


Answer:  Ramp meters look almost like traffic signals you see at intersections, except they have only red and green lights.  Ramp meters are placed on freeway on-ramps and allow only one vehicle to pass each time the green light comes on.

  1. What is High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane (HOV)?

  1. HOV lane is for motorcycles, buses, vehicles with clean fuel license plates, and vehicles with two or more occupants may travel in the carpool lane without a monthly fee.
  2. Solo drivers will be allowed to use the carpool lanes with the Express Pass transponder on a pay-per-use basis.
  3. What is Access Point on a HOV lane?

Answer: Access Point is the area with white dotted lines along HOV lane that can be used to enter and exit the HOV lane.

  1. What is the best way to exit the HOV lane prior to reaching your exit?

Answer:  It is recommended that vehicles exit the HOV lane at least one interchange before reaching their desired exit.

  1. What is Single Point Urban Interchange?


Answer:  It is a type of interchange that is located either above or underneath the freeway and is designed in such a way that the intersecting off-ramps and on-ramps are diagonally adjacent to each other.

  1. What is the benefit of Single Point Urban Interchange?

Answer:  Left turning traffic from both directions of the intersecting roadways are able to turn simultaneously without crossing the path of the opposing left turns.

  1. Why is it called Single Point Interchange?

Answer:  Because traffic passing through the interchange is controlled by one single traffic signal.

  1. Is it legal to make a U-turn from the off-ramp at a single point urban interchange?

Answer:  Yes, it is legal to make a U-turn from the off-ramp at a single point urban interchange and re-enter the freeway, as long as you are facing a green arrow at the time you begin the maneuver. 

  1. When there is power outage, can single point urban interchange be treated as a four-way road?

Answer:  No, when there is power outage, the single point urban interchange is not handled the same way as a four-way stop.  It is important to proceed with extreme caution and courtesy. 

  1. What makes night driving different from driving during the day?

Answer:  When you drive at night it is easy to

  1. Become disoriented because you no longer can use trees, houses or other objects to help judge your location or distances.
  2. Glaring headlights also hinder your judgment.
  3. Bicyclist and pedestrians may dart in front of your car without warning
  4. You are more likely to become sleepy and cause a crash
  5. For the above reasons, night driving is an important skill you must develop
  6. Things to do when you drive at night to help reduce the chances of a crash are:
  7. If a car is coming toward you, dim your lights before you get within 500 feet of the oncoming car
  8. Use your lights any time conditions keep you from seeing 1,000 feet ahead.  These conditions include fog, stormy weather, or dust.
  9. Turn your headlights no later than half an hour after sunset and keep them on until half an hour before sunrise.
  10. If another driver does not dim his/her lights, dim yours anyway.  Blinding the other driver to “get even” only results in two drivers not being able to see.  If you don not look at the lights of the oncoming car, you should be able to maintain proper control of your vehicle and be able to continue your driving without mishap.
  11. It is wise to slow down a little at night.  The law requires that you drive at a reasonable and prudent speed.  That means, especially at night, if you drive the posted speed limit, it may be too fast.
  12. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that is lighted by your headlights
  13. Do not drive at night with dirty, foggy, or icy windshield.  Although not safe at any time, windshields that are not clear at night will cause headlights and other lights to glare, which may result in the driver being blinded.
  14. You should check all of your lights often to see whether any of the lights or signals are not functioning properly.
  15. A person younger than 17 years of age, whether resident or nonresident of Utah, may not operate a motor vehicle upon any highway of this state between the hours of 12:00 am and 5:00 am. 
  16. What is Drowsy driving?
  17. Drowsy driving is driving when you are tired or on medication that make you drowsy.
  18. When you are tired (like getting off a graveyard shift) your ability to drive is affected.  You will probably not able to make decisions as quickly, your reaction time will be increased and you may become upset more easily. 
  19. You may fall asleep at the wheel
  20. What are some of things you can do to help drive more safely at night?
  21. Get a good night’s sleep before you start a trip
  22. Do not take any medications that can make you sleepy. 
  23. Do not drive for long hours or distances – 300 to 400 miles a day is recommended
  24. Try not to drive late at night.  Your body is probably used to going to sleep at that time and your reaction time will become slower.  Travel at time you are normally awake.
  25. Take rest breaks regularly, even if you don’t feel tired.  Let someone else drive part of the time.  Stop for a bit of refreshment every 100 miles or every two hours of driving time.
  26. Plan for stops in cities where you may stay for the night.
  27. Shift your eyes from one part of the road to another.  Try to enjoy the scenery without neglecting your driving.  Look at objects near and far, left and right.
  28. What are the warning signs of drowsy driving?
  29. You can’t remember the last few miles driven
  30. You hit a rumble strip or drift from your lane
  31. You keep pulling your vehicle back into the lane
  32. Your thoughts are wandering and disconnected
  33. You yawn repeatedly
  34. You have difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open and your head up
  35. You tailgate or miss traffic signs
  36. You have narrowly missed crashing
  37. What should you do if you feel tired?
  38. If you feel tired the best decision is to find a safe place to stop and get some sleep for at least twenty (20) minutes
  39. No matter the time of day especially if all passengers in the vehicle are sleeping
  40. What is flooding and how does it affect driving condition?
  41. Flooding can occur when streams and rivers flow over their banks, when dams or levees break, when there is a run-off from deep snow or any time there is heavy rainfall.
  42. Floodwaters can be found on roads, bridges, and low areas.
  43. Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly.  They can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall.
  44. What must you do in case there is flood on the road?
  45. Do not drive through flooded areas.  If you see a flooded roadway ahead, turn around and find another route to get to your destination.
  46. Be cautious, especially at night, when visibility is limited
  47. Remember, six (6) inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling
  48. Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks
  49. Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, do not attempt to cross a flooded road.
  50. If there is no other route, proceed to higher ground and wait for the water to subside.
  51. Why are emergency measures and preparedness very critical?
  52. If you think about emergencies and plan for them before they happen, you will be less likely to panic and will know what to do if they do occur
  53. Motorists have been seriously injured or even killed when attending to vehicle malfunctions such as flat tires, out of gas and other equipment problems on and off of roadways.
  54. What are the things you can do to help prevent accidents
  55. Ensure that your vehicle is properly maintained
  56. Maintain adequate tire pressure and tread
  57. Be sure your vehicle has a sufficient amount of fuel
  58. If you do experience a vehicle malfunction, please pull off the road as far as possible or exit the freeway completely if possible.
  59. If you are off to the side of the road and need help, please stay in your vehicle as much as possible and keep walking on the road to a minimum.  This opens the door of opportunity for injury or even death
  60. Use your cell phone to call the local dispatch if you need assistance.
  61. If you do not have access to a cell phone, leave the hood of your car up and your hazard lights on. This will advise the traveling public that you need assistance
  62. Inform family members or other persons when to expect you at your destination
  63. Have an emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle with blankets, extra food and water, to sustain you and your family
  64. What should you do in the event of a tire blowout?
  65. Do not slam on the brakes
  66. Let your car roll so that you can steer more easily. 
  67. Hold the wheel tightly and slowly apply your brakes
  68. When you have slowed down enough, pull all they way off the road.
  69. Pick a level spot if possible, turn on your emergency flashers and change the tire.
  70. What should you do in the event your brake fails?
  71. Try to get some brake pressure by pumping the brake pedal
  72. Shift to a lower gear to help slow down the car
  73. Try to slow down and stop by using your parking brake
  74. If you still cannot stop and are going downhill, try to drive into heavy bushes, snow, or a sandbank
  75. What is hydroplane?
  76. Hydroplaning occurs when your front tires start to ride on water instead of the road.
  77. You car can start hydroplaning at 35 mph.
  78. What are the road conditions that can cause your car to skid?
  79. A wet road during and after rainfall
  80. On snowy and ice road
  81. Dusty or road full of sand
  82. What should you do if your car starts skidding?
  83. Slow down to a speed at which you can control the car
  84. Slowly take your foot off the gas pedal
  85. If your rear wheel skid to the right, turn your front wheels to the right
  86. If the rear wheels skid to then left, turn your front wheels to left
  87. Do not steer  too far, as that will make the car skid in the other direction
  88. Do not slam on your brakes
  89. Once your car regains traction, straighten out your wheels
  90. What should you do if your car happened to stall on the Highway?
  91. Turn your emergency flashers immediately
  92. Move your car off the road as soon as you can
  93. If your car is near a traffic lane or where it is hard to be seen, get everyone out and away from the car
  94. Use flares to warn other drivers (if you have any with you)

          

  1. What should you do in the event of headlight failure?
  2. Slow down and get off the road
  3. Use your flares or other emergency warning devices to warn other drivers
  4. Check the terminals on then battery to see if they are loose
  5. Never drive at night without headlights
  6. What do you do if your gas pedal get stuck?
  7. Put your car into neutral or push in the clutch
  8. Pull off the road and turn off the engine
  9. What must you not do with your Steering wheel locking device while your car is in motion?
  10.  It is dangerous to turn your vehicle’s ignition to the lock position while it is in motion. 
  11. If this happens and you try to turn the steering wheel, it will lock and you will lose control of the vehicle.
  12. What do you do when an oncoming vehicle start coming toward you in your lane?
  13. Honk your horn or blink your lights, the other driver may be asleep
  14. Swerve to the right if possible
  15. Avoid swerving into the oncoming lane or traffic
  16. What should you do in the event of sudden distraction, like a bee sting, spilling hot coffee on your body?
  17. Do not panic
  18. Pull over to the side of the road immediately and then take care of the problem
  19. What is the new law about distracted driving in Utah?
  20. A new law effective May 12, 2009, prohibits the use of a handheld wireless communication device for text messaging or electronic mail communication while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in Utah.
  21. If you need help on Highway what must you do to inform other road users that you need help?
  22. Pull to the side of the road
  23. Turn on your emergency flashers
  24. Raise your hood
  25. Tie something white or orange on the antenna or left door handle
  26. What is the safest way to cross a railroad?
  27. Always slow down when you come to a railroad crossing
  28. Never pass a car that is going your direction at a  railroad crossing
  29. Do not park closer than 50 feet from a railroad crossing
  30. When you stop at a crossing, you must be between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail
  31. Train sound their horns as they approach a crossing; therefore, turning down the car radio is a good safety measure.
  32. Every railroad crossing should be taken seriously
  33. At night, do not assume that a train is not coming just because you do not see any light.  Slow down or stop and look before crossing the tracks
  34. If lights are flashing, you must come to a complete stop.
  35. You may not drive through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while they are down or being opened or closed
  36. What are railroad signs meant to do?
  37. Tell you to slow down
  38. Look, listen, and be prepared to stop at the crossing ahead
  39. What do the railroad pavement markings “X” and the letters “RR” represent?
  40. These markings warn you to be aware of the crossing ahead
  41. To pay particular attention to the possible approach of a train
  42. What is the railroad cross buck sign represent?
  43. A sign below the cross buck indicates the number of tracks
  44. Be prepared to stop at the tracks if a train is coming
  45. What are flashing lights at railroad crossing for?
  46. Flashing lights and bells are used to warn drivers that a train is coming
  47. Always stop when lights begin to flash or bells begin to ring
  48. If there are more than more than one set of tracks, make sure all tracks are clear before starting to cross
  49. What are the railroad crossing gates for?
  50. Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gates begin to lower across your lane of traffic
  51. Remain stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing
  52. Do not drive around the gates
  53. What must a school bus driver do at a railroad crossing?
  54. School bus drivers are required to stop at all railroad crossings.
  55. The driver must check both directions and listen for approaching trains
  56. Proceed only when it is clearly safe to do so, and
  57. Never shift gear on the crossing
  58. What must a truck carrying hazardous material do at a railroad crossing?
  59. Truck drivers are required to stop at all railroad crossings
  60. Drivers should make a safe, gradual stop to minimize the possibility of causing a crash
  61. Do not shift gears when crossing the tracks.
  62. List safety tips when using a railroad crossing?
  63. Expect a train on any track at any time
  64. Don’t get trapped on a railroad crossing
  65. Get out of your vehicle if it stalls
  66. Watch out for second trains
  67. Never drive around gates
  68. Never race a train
  69. Watch for vehicles that must stop at railroad crossing
  70. Don’t misjudge the speed and distance of the train
  71. At night be especially alert at railroad crossings
  72. Be especially careful and reduce speed for obstructions
  73. How fast can a Light Rail accelerates?
  74. A light rail car can accelerate to 55 miles per hour in just 19 seconds
  75. Most light rail trains will operate at 55 miles per hour within the railroad corridor
  76. Trains operate at 25 miles per hour on the streets in Salt Lake City
  77. Once the flashing lights and crossing arms are activated at grade crossing, the trains will pass through intersections in just a matter of seconds.
  78. How long does the crossing arms remain down after the light train passes?

Answer:  30 to 40 seconds

    • How much does one light rail car weigh?  88,000 lbs
    • How long is a light rail car?  80 ft