If a car slams on brakes in front of you and you rear-end them who is at fault?
you - you have to stay far enough away from car in front of you and pay attention
What is the speed limit on all highways unless otherwise posted?
55MPH
What is the max speed on any interstate in TN?
70mph but some interstates may be less
Examples of when you should slow down due to conditions?
slippery roads, curves, going over a hill, decreased visibility (fog)
It is illegal to drive less than ___ mph in the left most lane of any interstate unless traffic prevents increasing speed.
55mph
On the interstate, the minimum speed in the right lanes is ___ mph.
45
What is speeding in school zone considered to be?
What is the penalty?
reckless driving
6 points on driving record
What is the fine for speeding in a construction/road work zone?
$250-$500
How to apply your brakes?
Why?
slowly and evenly by applying gradual pressure
braking too strong/fast could cause you to skid or cause car behind you to hit you
When should you start braking if traffic is stopping?
as soon as you see brake lights on car in front of you
What should you do if you are braking and your car starts to skid?
take foot off brake and turn steering wheel in the direction of the skid --- only if you can do so without running off road or hitting something
When should you pay extra attention in case you need to slow down/hit brakes?
Where should the driver's foot be in these situations?
- driving near parked cars\
- approaching an intersection/traffic signals/crosswalks
- school zones/residential areas
- when you see brake lights of other cars
- driving in heavy, slow moving traffic
hovering over brake/between brake and gas
How do you make sure you have time to react to what the driver in front of you is doing?
give yourself a "space cushion" b/t you and car in front of you and follow at safe speed
2-second rule for determining if you are following too closely to car in front of you?
as car in front of you passes a sign/tree etc. start counting to see how many seconds it takes your car to get there - you should not reach the point before you have counted 2 seconds
When should you allow for extra space between you and other traffic?
inclement weather, heavy traffic, decreased visibility
What is a good alternative to making a sudden stop in the road?
slowing down and changing lanes when possible
3 steps in stopping a vehicle?
perception time - length of time it takes to see and recognize a dangerous situation
- reaction time - perception to start of braking
Braking time - depends on vehicle and brake condition
Average perception and reaction times?
perception - .5 second
reaction - .66 second
Total 1.16 seconds to react
What should you do when approaching a red traffic light when you intend to make a right hand turn?
Make a complete stop at the intersection, then, yielding to oncoming traffic you may make right turn
Where do you stop at a stop sign if there are no lines on the road to indicate where to stop?
line the front of your vehicle up with the stop sign
How can you know you are far enough back from a car when you are stopped at an intersection to keep from tailgating?
should be able to see car's license plate and where their back tires meet the pavement
What is a rolling stop?
only slowing down for stop sign or traffic signal then proceeding through intersection -
*** this is illegal - you must make a complete stop before going through stop sign or traffic signals unless they are green
How far should you stop when approaching a railroad crossing when a train is coming?
15-50 feet from the railroad tracks
5 indications a train is approaching an intersection?
1. crossbuck sign is flashing
2. gate is lowered to block crossing the intersection
3. human flagger
4. trains are required to signal a horn when they are approximately 1500 ft from a railroad crossing
5. you see the train approaching
What vehicles are required by law to stop at all railroad crossings?
church or school buses - even with no passengers
public transportation (taxi)
vehicles transporting flammable, explosives, or other dangerous cargo
What to do when meeting a school bus that is coming to a stop?
start reducing speed when red stop warning signal lights are flashing and come to a complete stop until stop sign on bus is pulled back into the bus and bus has resumed motion
Is it illegal to pass a school bus?
only if the school bus has stopped to load or unload students -
must stop and remain stopped until driver motions you forward or visual signals to stop are turned off and stop sign is pulled in or bus has resumed motion
What do yellow flashing lights on front and back of bus mean?
bus is preparing to stop and load/unload and you should slow down
What do red flashing lights and stop arm on bus extended mean?
bus is stopped and children are loading/unloading - all motorists must stop and waiting
If a school bus is stopped at a 4-way intersection to load/unload what vehicles are required to stop?
all vehicles from any direction of the intersection are required to stop
What is the penalty for failing to stop for a stopped school bus?
class A misdemeanor
$250 - $1000 fine
When driving on a highway with separate roadways for traffic moving in opposite directions with a divided median in the middle would a driver be required to stop for a school bus moving in the opposite direction?
no - proceed with caution
** turn lane is not considered a median / divided roadway
Where should you pull over to if you are being pulled over by police?
go to right-hand edge or curb of road and clear of any intersection - stop and park
Guidelines to prevent police from being threatened by your actions?
limit movements of driver/passengers, keep hands on steering wheel/passengers keep in plain view,
keep doors closed and remain in vehicle unless asked to step out
turn on interior light
don't argue about the violation - argue in court
What should you do if you are being pulled over by an unmarked police car?
drive slowly a short distance to the nearest area where there are other ppl such as the next business parking lot or next exit on the interstate
in case it is a psycho pretending to be a cop
Where do more crashes happen than any other place?
intersections
What should you always do when approaching an intersection?
Why?
ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO STOP
Never assume other ppl are following traffic rules - always slow down and make sure way is clear even if you have right of way
What should you be watching while crossing an intersection?
Look left/right for unusual movement or ppl not following rules (running red light)
make sure you are not too close to the person in front of you and watch ppl behind you in case you have to make a fast stop
How should your speed change as you cross an intersection?
Slow down as you approach the intersection then gradually pick back up speed as you cross it
Is it illegal to change lanes while crossing an intersection?
yes
Is it illegal to pass other cars while crossing an intersection?
yes
What should you do if another driver is not following the rules of right of way at intersections?
always give them the right of way - don't wreck
What does it mean if a pedestrian has a guide dog, is carrying a white cane/white cane with red tip, or has a dog on a bright orange leash?
yeild to blind/deaf ppl no matter what part of road they are walking on - stop at least 10 feet away until they are out of road and don't honk at them
What should you always do near schools/ playgrounds, and in residential areas?
slow down and watch out for children
What should you do if you are trying to cross an intersection with cars back up into it in front of you?
Do not cross over into the intersection unless you can cross all the way without stopping
-if your way is blocked and you end up having to stop in the intersection and block traffic you can get a ticket
What must you do when any public bus has signaled and is pulling back onto the roadway from a bus stop?
Are you required to stop when these buses are picking up ppl at bus stops?
yield to the bus to allow it back into traffic
no - it is not the same as a school bus - you can just pass by it
- you should slow down to prevent hitting pedestrians
What type of vehicles are emergency vehicles that TN move over law applies to?
utility vehicles - electric/phone/etc
emergency vehicles - pd, fire, ems
highway maintenance vehicles
recovery vehicles - tow trucks
Tennessee Move Over Law?
requires that driver move over to a lane not adjacent to an emergency vehicle with lights flashing or if this isn't possible to slow down and proceed with caution -
What are the most common faults when making turns?
failing to signal
not signaling long enough
failing to search for hazards
turning from wrong lane
turning incorrectly
How do you know which lane you should turn into if you are turning at an intersection with multiple lanes?
- turn into the closest lane to the one you are in/ the lane that lines up with your lane
In what 6 situations should you always use a turn signal?
1. changing lanes
2. turning at an intersection or into driveway/parking lot/etc
3. entering or exiting interstate
4. pulling away from a parked position along curb
5. pulling over to curb/roadside
6. slowing down or stop your vehicle suddenly
What is a good way to signal to drivers that you are about to stop?
lightly pump brakes a few times to attract attention
What might occur if you forget to turn off your turn signal?
other drivers may pull out in front of you thinking you are turning off
What hand signals out window indicate left turn, right turn, and stop?
When should you turn on turn signal when you are getting ready to turn?
at least 50 feet before the turn
What should you do before re-entering traffic when you are parked on side of road?
turn signal to indicate to drivers your intention
When should you turn on your turn signal if you are planning to turn after you cross an intersection?
do not turn on signal until you are in the intersection to prevent ppl from thinking you are turning at the intersection and causing a collision
Should you ever use your turn signal to signal intentions of vehicles in front of you to other drivers?
no
What can happen if you turn your wheels in the direction you plan to turn while sitting at an intersection?
If you are hit from behind it can push your car into oncoming traffic - keep your wheels straight while sitting at intersections
What is the proper way for 2 cars meeting at an intersection to both make left hand turns?
can both go at same time into proper lanes
Center lines on 2 way streets are _____ and they are ____ on one-way streets
2 way - yellow
1 way - white
When turning from a 2way street into a one way street, what lane should you turn into?
the lane closest to you just like at any other intersection
When is it ok to make a left turn when traffic light is red?
only when turning from a one way street onto another one-way street AND there are not any signs preventing it
Consideration when buses/trucks are turning at intersections?
large vehicles make wide turns - don't try to move passed them on the right if there is a possibility they are trying to make a right hand turn
What is a roundabout/town square used for?
Who has the right of way and how do you enter it?
used to control speed
ppl already in the circle have the right of way - must yield to enter the circle and not allowed to pass/change lanes inside the circle
Are U turns illegal?
sometimes legal
When may you NOT make a U-turn?
1. at any intersection with traffic light or officer
2. at any place where you cannot see traffic for at least 500ft in each direction including near curve/top of a hill
3. at any location where u-turns are prohibited by signs
4. between intersections in a city - drive around the block instead
5. on the interstate
Are you allowed to use emergency crossovers on the interstate to turn around?
for emergency vehicles only - if you are going the wrong way on the interstate you have to take next exit and turn around there
If you want to use a crossover to turn around on a 2 way divided street what should you do if there is already a car in the crossover?
remain stopped in the left-most lane of the highway with your turn signal on until the waiting vehicle has cleared the crossover
Where are crossovers located on interstates?
there are none - you cannot turn around on the interstate
What do red reflective signs mean?
show you are moving in the wrong direction on the road and you need to pull over or get onto correct road immediately
What does this sign mean?
indicates there is a center turn lane - do not drive in this lane - only get into it to make left hand turns
What may turn lane be used for besides making left turns?
may pull into turn lane when pulling out into the road and wait for traffic to clear before pulling out into lane you need
If you pull out into a road's center turn lane and are waiting to enter traffic what should you do while you wait?
have you turn signal on showing your intention to change lanes
When 2 vehicles are entering a turn lane from opposite directions who has right of way?
vehicle that entered turn lane first
What do these broken yellow lines mean?
these are reversible lanes - may carry traffic in different directions depending on the time of day - direction allowed to travel is indicated by lights above the lanes
What do the red X's and green arrows indicate?
What do flashing yellow X's mean?
What do solid yellow X's mean?
signs used for reversible lanes
green arrow - ok to drive in this lane
red x - not ok - traffic moving in opposite direction in this lane
blinking yellow x - turn lane only
solid yellow x - this lane is about to change directions - move over as soon as possible to a green lane
What are blind spots and what is it important to remember about them while driving?
area near side/rear of your car where a vehicle may be driving along side you but you cannot see them in any of your mirrors
- look for cars in your blind spot before you change lanes
- do not drive along in another car's blind spot
What should you do if a driver ahead of you in your lane or the lane next to you signals a lane change
slow down and leave space for the change
- do not speed up or change lanes yourself until the vehicle is finished changing lanes
Is it OK to pass if you see an oncoming vehicle that is far off?
no, if you can see an oncoming vehicle it is too close for you to pass
Is it OK to pass a vehicle on the right side of the road?
no, UNLESS:
1. vehicle you are passing is signaling/making a left hand turn
2. on a street with unobstructed pavement with sufficient roadway for 2 or more lanes of moving vehicles in each direction
3. on one-way street with multiple lanes
When passing another vehicle when should you return your lane?
when you can see the entire vehicle you passed in your rearview mirror - turn on right turn signal and get back into lane
Is it illegal to pass multiple cars in TN?
no - may pass multiple cars IF road is straight with good visibility and you are able to return to your lane before coming within 100 feet of the no passing markings and/or oncoming vehicles
Why should you try to avoid passing at night?
more difficult to see changes in road and end of passing zone
When is it OK to use a bike lane or parking lane to pass on the right?
never
Is it OK to pass on the right at an intersection if you are turning right and use the shoulder of the road?
no, traffic in the right lane could turn right and hit you
If a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to wait for pedestrians is it ok to pass them?
no you will hit ppl
T/F It is OK to pass on a railway crossing, narrow bridge, or tunnel as long as there is not a train or oncoming traffic.
False - it is not OK to pass in these areas at all
When stopping for a crosswalk on a multi-lane road, you should stop about ____ ft before the crosswalk so you do not block visibility of the crossing pedestrians to drivers in other lanes.
30 feet
Why is it dangerous to pass on the right shoulder of the highway?
drivers will not expect you to be there and may make a right turn or pull over to the side of the road and hit you
Does the start of a passing zone mean it is OK to pass?
it means there is sufficient visibility to determine if it is safe to pass, you must determine if it safe
What should you do if you are being passed by another vehicle?
Stay in your lane and move to the right if being passed on the left.
- Do not speed up
- Adjust your speed to allow vehicle back into lane ASAP
- slow down if you see oncoming traffic
If you are passing a bicyclist, it is the law that you maintain a distance of at least ____ ft from them.
3 feet
How can you tell if you are in a big truck's blind spot?
if you cannot see the side mirrors on the truck the driver most likely can't see you
Terrain considerations when passing a big truck?
- on flat ground it will take longer to pass than a regular car
- going downhill the truck will pick up speed due to its weight
- going uphill the truck will lose speed and be easier to pass
When is it OK to back your car into the road?
never back a vehicle into any travel lane unless there is no alternative
- it is ok to back car into a parallel parking space along the road
When should you check behind your vehicle if it is parked and you need to back up?
before you get into the vehicle - children/small objects may not be visible if you are inside the car
When you are in your car and preparing to back up what is the best way to check behind you?
look at mirrors but don't just rely on them - place your arm on the back of the seat and turn around so you can look through rear window
T/F It is a good idea to stick your head out your window when backing up to get better visibility?
no, this is dangerous
T/F It is illegal to back into an intersection from a driveway
T
When is it OK to stop in the travel lanes of highway/interstate?
do not stop in travel lanes unless other traffic is stopped in front of you and you have no choice
if your car is breaking down etc. move to side of road as soon as possible
It is good practice to apply the parking brake EVERY time you park a vehicle but is especially important in what situations?
1. on steep hills/inclines
2. near crosswalk where children are present (school/playground)
3. any area where added security may be needed
What is necessary when parking a vehicle adjacent to a roadway outside the city limits?
all 4 wheels must be off the pavement if possible
When parking by any roadside you must leave at least ____ feet of road width for other traffic to pass your parked vehicle no matter what and your vehicle must be visible for at least _____ feet in either direction.
18 feet of road width
visible for 200ft in either direction
T/F It is againste the law to leave the engine running in a parked, unattended vehicle.
T
What should be used when a vehicle is disableed or otherwise presents a traffic hazard?
hazard lights
T/F Double parking is prohibited by law.
T
Besides putting on the parking brake what can you do when parking on a hill to provide safety?
parking downhill - turn wheels toward curb
parking uphill - turn wheel away from curb
- this directs care toward curb and not into traffic
It is illegal to park within ____ ft of a fire hydrant
15
It is illegal to park within ____ feet of a crosswalk.
20
It is illegal to park within ____ ft of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street or on the other side of the street within ___ ft of the driveway
25 ft on same side
75 feet on other side
It is illegal to park within ____ ft of a traffic signal, stop sign, or other traffic control device
50
T/F It is illegal to park on the shoulder of the interstate.
T - unless in emergency
What do white, yellow, and red painted curbs mean?
white - stop only long enough to drop off/pick up passengers
yellow - stop long enough to load/unload - do not leave vehicle unattended
red - do not stop, stand, or park here under any condition
What is the correct way to parallel park?
Don't forget to signal
If your vehicle is disabled and you are unable to pull it completely out of the road what should you do to signal to other drivers it is in the road?
tie a handkerchief on the left door handle or antenna
or turn on your emergency flashers if they are working
T/F If your car is disable on the interstate, you should walk to the nearest exit to find help.
False - it is illegal to walk along side the interstate - stay with your vehicle when possible and wait for help
What is the fine for parking in a handicapped space?
$100
What is the punishment for parking at a parking meter and not paying the fee?
you may be fined and your car may be towed
It is illegal to park:
C.
The 2-second rule for following at a safe distance will hold true at:
C.
Which lane must you be in before making a left turn from a one-way street?
A.
What should you do before traveling on the interstate?
plan your route
gas up in case no gas stations
make sure your vehicle is in good condition
T/F The driver should use the lane to enter the interstate to speed up to merge with the oncoming traffic.
t
What is the difference between these 2 signs on the interstate that both indicate traffic is entering the interstate?
first sign with one arrow indicates that oncoming traffic will need to merge with the right lane traffic on the interstate - drivers in this lane should move to left if possible to facilitate merging
second sign with 2 arrows separated by dotted line - oncoming traffic will have their own lane coming onto the interstate and will not need to merge - drivers already on interstate should not move into this new lane until all oncoming vehicles have entered the road
T/F When driving on the interstate you should scan the road ahead for cars braking or signs that traffic is stopping to give you sufficient time to stop if needed.
T
What should you do if you are driving in the left lane of the interstate and a faster car comes up behind you?
move to the lane to your right as soon as possible to let them pass
What is the penalty for drivers driving illegally in the HOV (high occupancy vehicle lane) of the interstate?
$50 fine and court costs
Exit signs on the interstate are usually placed at least ____ mile(s) ahead of the exit turn-off.
1 mile
When driving on the interstate you should take a break and get out of the car at least every ____ hours or every ____ miles.
2 hours
100 miles
By state law, what are drivers required to do when emergency vehicles are stopped on the shoulder of the road?
move to a lane not adjacent to the emergency vehicle if possible
-if not possible slow down to safe speed
What is the fine for not moving away from the lane close to emergency vehicles on the shoulder of the road?
up to $500
What should do whenever possible if ANY vehicle is parked on the shoulder of the road?
move to a lane not adjacent to the vehicle or slow down
What is a HELP operator?
TN personnell who have the authority to remove or cause to be removed any vehicle that is an obstruction or hazard to traffic
- they can help you if your car is broken down
What should you do if you're involved in an accident?
move your vehicle to emergency lane/shoulder of the road IF it is moveable and there are no major injuries and no fatalities
- never disturb a crash scene if there is a fatality involved or move a seriously injured crash victim
T/F It is against the law to leave the scene of an accident and to obstruct traffic unnecessarily.
t
What can you dial to reach TN Highway Patrol (THP) to report an emergency or dangerous driver?
Dial *THP (*847) and you will be connected to nearest THP dispatcher
When entering an interstate highway you should:
A.
Emergency corssovers on the interstate are legel in TN for
C.
Interstate driving demands require driver to:
A: Have a complete awareness of higher speed driving
B. Constant alertness of the driver
C. Both of the above
C.
More fatal crashses take place on _____ and ____ nights that any other day.
Friday and Saturday
The law requires headlights that will enable you to see clearly any person on the highway at least _____ feet ahead of your car.
200 feet
T/F When parking at night you should leave your headlights on so your vehicle is visible to other cars.
Turn your headlights off so they don't blind or confuse cars on the road
What should you do anytime roads are wet?
slow down - it's slippery
What setting should headlights be on for rainy and foggy weather?
low beams/dim
What should you do if your vehicle is hydroplaning?
- slow down gradually by letting off the gas - don't hit the brakes
Most cars can be swept away in _____ inchest of moving water.
18-24 inches
never drive through standing flood water - TURN AROUND. DON'T DROWN
What is the penalty for ignoring road closed barriers to warn you of flooded roads or other road hazards?
can be charged with reckless driving and may be required to pay for expenses for your rescue
What should you do if you are driving your car and there is a tornado warning?
get out and find shelter in a ditch or low-lying area and lie face down to protect yourself from debris
3 big erros of most drivers in snow and ice?
over-power and spin wheels
over-brake and slide wheels
over steer and skid wheels
Where does ice tend to stay on roads?
shady areas, bridges and overpasses
Continuous hard braking on ice and snow often:
A.
When driving in foggy conditions, do not put your headlights on high beam because:
C.
Driving at night is:
A.
Between the hours of 10pm and 2 am __ of every 10 drivers is intoxicated.
1
T/F Nearly 50% of drivers arrested for driving under the influence are social to moderate drinkers.
T
Only ____ can sober a person who has been drinking.
time
What is BAC
blood alcohol concentration - percentage of alcohol in the blood
In TN and most other states, ____ is the level of intoxication which is always illegal.
.08
What factors affect how intoxicated a person becomes?
- amount of alcohol over time - drinking faster = drunker
- body weight and fat
- amount of food in stomach
-overall condition of body
T/F If 2 people weigh the same amount and drink the same amount of alcohol the one with the higher body fat will be more intoxicated.
True- less body fat = more body water to absorb alcohol
What does the DUI law say?
Illegal to drive a vehicle in any public area while:
1. under the influence of any intoxicant, marijuana, narcotic drug, or drugs stimulating effects on the central nervous system OR
2.. while BAC is .08 percent or higher
Can you get a DUI if your BAC is less than .08?
yes
Besides putting on the parking brake what can you do when parking on a hill to provide safety?
turn wheels toward the curb when parking downhill and away from hill when parking uphill
What is implied consent law?
if you drive in TN you are giving consent to have your blood checked for alcohol and drug content
What will happen if you are arrested for DUI and you refuse to have your blood drawn?
may have your license suspended for a year
What is required if a DUI offender goes to obtain identification while their license is suspended?
ID must say they are a DUI offender
What type of community service are DUI offenders required to do?
litter pick-up for 3 - 8 hour shifts while wearing clothing that says "I am a drunk driver" and they must do this in their home county in TN
What may occur if a DUI offender is found to be driving on revoked license?
their vehicle may be seized
What may happen if you kill someone while drunk driving?
you may be charged with vehicular homicide, fined, and sent to prison
What may happen if you injure someone while drunk driving?
charged with aggravated assualt, fined, and sent to prison
What are the penalties for DUI with person under age 18 in vehicle?
- mandatory minimum jail sentence of 30 days and minimum fine of $1000
- if the child suffers any injuries charged with class D felony and if the child dies it is a class C felony of especially aggravated child endangerment
In addition to other penalties what do all DUI offenders have to do?
1. alcohol treatment assessment and Tx for those with DUI in 5 years prior to current
2. alcohol safety DUE school OR
3. program of alcohol/drug rehab for 2nd and subsequent convictions
4. payment of restitution to any person injuring/losses
5. vehicle seized if 2 convictions in past 5 years
What must a person with 2 DUI's in a 5 year period do after reinstatement of license?
drive a vehicle with a interlock device to check BAC in order to be started for 6 months
What will happen if you are 18-20 years old and found purchasing or possessing alcohol?
lose license for 1 year and 2 years if caught twice
What will happen if found to have possessed, consumed, or sold alcohol/drugs if between ages of 13 and 17?
What happens to second offenders?
driving priviledge suspended for 1 year or until age 17 whichever is longer
suspended for 2 years or until age 18
Penalty for ppl age 16-20 found driving with BAC .02, under influence of alcohol, or other drugs?
convicted of underage driving while impaired: $250 fine, lose license for 1 year, and sometimes public service
The amount of alcohol in 1 12oz bottle of beer is = to ____ oz shot of whisky,.
1oz
Research shows that ____ drinks of alcohol in 3 hours or less impair the driving ability of most individuals.
2 or 3 drinks
It takes about ___ hour(s) to cancel the effects of 1 drink.
1 hour
What is the number one killer of persons under age of 40?
alcohol-related accidents
Driving while under the influence of drugs carries:
A. the same penalty as for alcohol
B lesser penalty than for alcohol
C. absolutely no penalty at all
A
If you have had 3 beers in the past hour, about how long will it take for all the alcohol to leave your blood stream?
C.
As the percentage of alcohol in your blood increases you become more:
A: intoxicated
B sober
C coordinated
A
Punishment for first conviction DUI?
48 hours jail (7 days if BAC .20 or more)
$350-1500
1 year license revoked
Punishment for 2nd DUI?
45 days - 11mo29days jail
$600-$3500
2 years revoke license
vehicle subject to seizure and forfeiture
Punishment for 3rd DUI?
120 days to11mo29 days jail
$1100-$10,000
3-10 years license revoked
vehicle subject to seizure and forfeiture
Punishment of r 4th or subsequent conviction (class E felony)
