Seeing hazards, distraction and road rage
Questions and answers
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What is a hazard?
Any road condition or other road user that is a possible danger
A hazard is a possible danger. When it actually threatens a crash, it becomes an emergency.
Section 2 · 2.8.1 – Importance of Seeing Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why is it important to see hazards early?
You have more time to act before they become emergencies
Seeing hazards early gives you time to act. Sudden braking or quick lane changes are more likely to cause a crash.
Section 2 · 2.8.1 – Importance of Seeing Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What do move-over laws require drivers to do near a roadside incident or emergency vehicle?
Slow and change lanes
Move-over laws require drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching a roadside incident or emergency vehicle.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You approach an authorized emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside. Which lane should you move into, if safe?
A lane not next to the emergency vehicle
Slow down and, if safety and traffic allow, move into a lane not next to the emergency vehicle or work zone.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Changing lanes away from a stopped emergency vehicle is unsafe. What should you do?
Slow down and proceed with caution at a safe speed
If a lane change is unsafe, slow down and proceed carefully.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How should you warn drivers behind you near a work zone?
Use your four-way flashers or brake lights
Drive slowly near work zones and warn following drivers with flashers or brake lights.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What can happen if you drive too near a pavement drop off at the road edge?
The vehicle can tilt and its top can hit roadside objects
A drop off can tilt the vehicle toward signs and tree limbs and make steering hard.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why can objects that have fallen on the road be dangerous?
They can damage tires, rims, and electrical and brake lines
Foreign objects can harm tires and rims, damage lines, and get caught between dual tires.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Is a cardboard box in the road always harmless?
No, it may contain solid or heavy material
Boxes and sacks may hold heavy material, so watch for objects early and avoid them safely.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Are the speed limits posted on off ramps and on ramps always safe for trucks?
No, they may be safe for cars but not for large or heavily loaded vehicles
Ramp speeds may suit cars but be too fast for larger or heavily loaded vehicles.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which kind of exit is especially dangerous?
One that goes downhill and turns at the same time
A downhill curving exit makes it hard to slow down. Be slow enough before the curved part.
Section 2 · 2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why should rental truck drivers be watched carefully?
They are often not used to limited vision to the sides and rear
Rental truck drivers often are not used to the limited side and rear vision.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
In winter, which vehicles are hazards because of blocked vision?
Vehicles with frosted, ice-covered, or snow-covered windows
Drivers who cannot see out of frosted or snowy windows are a hazard.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You can see the rear of a vehicle at an alley but not its driver. What should you assume?
The driver cannot see you and may back out
If you cannot see the driver, the driver cannot see you. Be prepared to stop.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why can delivery trucks be a hazard?
Drivers often hurry and may suddenly step out or pull into traffic
Packages or doors block their view, and hurried drivers may step out or drive into the lane suddenly.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which clues show a parked vehicle may be about to move?
Brake lights, backup lights, or exhaust
Watch for brake or backup lights, exhaust, and movement inside the vehicle.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why should you be careful of a stopped bus?
Passengers may cross in front of or behind it and may not see you
Bus passengers may cross around the bus and often cannot see you.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why may pedestrians be a hazard on rainy days?
Hats or umbrellas may keep them from seeing you
In rain, hats and umbrellas block their view and they may hurry without watching traffic.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A distracted person is looking right at you. What should you still be alert for?
They may believe they have the right of way
Even when people look at you, they may think they have the right of way.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why are children a serious hazard near the road?
They tend to act quickly without checking traffic
Children act quickly and, while playing, may not look for traffic.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why is an ice cream truck a hazard clue?
Children may be nearby and may not see you
Someone selling ice cream means children may be around who may not see you.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which clues show a disabled vehicle whose driver may not watch traffic?
Jacked up wheels or raised hoods
Drivers fixing a vehicle often ignore traffic. Jacked up wheels and raised hoods are clues.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why are accident scenes particularly hazardous?
People may run across the road and passing drivers look at the accident
People at accidents may not watch traffic, passing drivers look at the crash, and vehicles may stop suddenly.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Where is driver confusion common?
Near freeway or turnpike interchanges and major intersections
Confused drivers change direction or stop suddenly, often near interchanges and major intersections.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which are clues that a driver may be a tourist unfamiliar with the area?
Car-top luggage and out-of-state license plates
Car-top luggage and out-of-state plates suggest a tourist, who can be very hazardous.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which is a clue that a driver is confused?
Stopping in the middle of a block or changing lanes for no apparent reason
Unexpected actions and hesitation, like stopping mid-block or slowing often, are clues to confusion.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What does the "slow moving vehicle" symbol look like?
A red triangle with an orange center
Slow vehicles such as farm machinery may display a red triangle with an orange center.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why may a driver signaling a turn be a hazard?
They may slow more than expected or stop
Turning drivers may slow a lot or stop, especially for tight turns or when blocked.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What may drivers in a hurry do around your commercial vehicle?
Pass without a safe gap and cut too close in front of you
Hurried drivers may pass without a safe gap or pull in front of you, forcing you to brake.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which is a clue that a driver may be impaired?
Weaving across the road or drifting from side to side
Weaving, leaving the road, stopping at the wrong time, and sudden speed changes are clues.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A driver stops at a green light or waits too long at a stop. What may this be a clue to?
The driver may be impaired
Stopping at the wrong time is one of the clues to an impaired driver.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
In cold weather, a car ahead has its window open. What might this be a clue to?
An impaired driver
An open window in cold weather is listed as a clue to an impaired driver.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When should you be especially alert for drunk and sleepy drivers?
Late at night
Be alert for drunk and sleepy drivers late at night.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A driver makes an over-the-shoulder check. What may they be about to do?
Change lanes
Drivers making over-the-shoulder checks may be going to change lanes.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Head and body movement clues are most easily seen in which road users?
Motorcyclists and bicyclists
Body movement clues to a turn or lane change are easiest to see in motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When are you in conflict with another road user?
When you have to change speed or direction to avoid hitting someone
A conflict means you must change speed or direction to avoid a collision.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why should you watch for other drivers who are in conflict?
When they react, they may do something that puts them in conflict with you
Drivers in conflict are a hazard because their reaction may involve you.
Section 2 · 2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why do you look for hazards?
To have time to plan a way out of any emergency
When you see a hazard, think about what emergencies could develop and what you would do.
Section 2 · 2.8.4 – Always Have a Plan ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is a driver distraction?
Anything that takes your attention away from driving
Any activity that takes your attention away from driving is a distraction.
Section 2 · 2.9 – Distracted Driving ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which is a distraction from outside the vehicle?
Reading billboards or road advertisements
Outside distractions include crash scenes, sunlight, road construction, and billboards.
Section 2 · 2.9 – Distracted Driving ↗PDF, 41 MB -
According to the LTCCS, what percent of large-truck crashes occurred when CMV drivers were externally distracted?
8 percent
The study found 8 percent of large-truck crashes involved external distraction and 2 percent internal.
Section 2 · 2.9.1 – The Distracted Driving Crash Problem ↗PDF, 41 MB -
According to the LTCCS, what percent of large-truck crashes occurred when the driver was internally distracted?
2 percent
Internal distraction was involved in 2 percent of large-truck crashes.
Section 2 · 2.9.1 – The Distracted Driving Crash Problem ↗PDF, 41 MB -
About how many people are killed each year on U.S. roads in crashes involving distracted driving?
About 5,500
About 5,500 people are killed and about 448,000 injured each year in distracted-driving crashes.
Section 2 · 2.9.1 – The Distracted Driving Crash Problem ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How much of the brain’s energy for safe driving does talking on a cell phone take, even hands-free?
39%
Talking on a phone, even hands-free, saps 39% of the brain energy normally used for driving.
Section 2 · 2.9.1 – The Distracted Driving Crash Problem ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What are effects of distracted driving?
Slowed perception, delayed decisions, and improper action
Distraction slows perception and delays decisions, leading to wrong steering, accelerator, or brake inputs.
Section 2 · 2.9.2 – Effects of Distracted Driving ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is a physical distraction?
One that takes your hands off the wheel or eyes off the road
A physical distraction, like reaching for an object, takes your hands or eyes off the driving task.
Section 2 · 2.9.3 – Types of Distractions ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which is an example of a mental distraction?
Thinking about something that happened during the day
Mental distractions take your mind off the road, such as a conversation or daydreaming.
Section 2 · 2.9.3 – Types of Distractions ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which activity is both a physical and a mental distraction?
Talking on a cell phone or texting
Phone calls and texting combine physical and mental distraction for an even greater crash risk.
Section 2 · 2.9.3 – Types of Distractions ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Under the federal rule, which counts as using a hand-held mobile phone?
Dialing by pressing more than a single button
Holding the phone for a call, dialing with more than one button, or leaving your seated position to reach it counts.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Is reaching for a phone while restrained by a seat belt allowed?
No, moving from the seated driving position to reach a phone counts as hand-held use
Moving out of your seated, belted position to reach a phone is hand-held use.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What disqualification follows a second conviction for hand-held phone use in a CMV within 3 years?
60 days
A second offense within 3 years brings 60 days. Three or more bring 120 days.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What disqualification follows three or more hand-held phone convictions in a CMV within 3 years?
120 days
Three or more offenses within 3 years mean a 120-day disqualification.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Up to what civil penalty can a driver face for each hand-held phone or texting violation?
$2,750
Drivers face civil penalties up to $2,750 per violation.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Up to what civil penalty can an employer face for allowing hand-held phone use?
$11,000
Employers may face civil penalties of up to $11,000.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When may you use a hand-held phone while driving a CMV?
When necessary to contact law enforcement or emergency services
The emergency exception allows hand-held use to reach police or emergency services.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How much greater are the odds of a safety-critical event for CMV drivers who dial while driving?
6 times greater
Dialing makes a crash, near-crash, or lane deviation 6 times more likely.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
On average, how long do dialing drivers take their eyes off the road?
3.8 seconds
Dialing takes the eyes off the road for 3.8 seconds, about 306 feet at 55 mph.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Are hands-free devices less distracting than hand-held phones?
No, attention is diverted with either device
Hands-free devices are no less likely than hand-held phones to distract you.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How much greater are the odds of a safety-critical event for CMV drivers who text while driving?
23.2 times greater
Texting makes a safety-critical event 23.2 times more likely.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Sending or receiving a text takes your eyes off the road for about how long?
4.6 seconds
A text takes the eyes off the road for about 4.6 seconds, or 371 feet at 55 mph.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why is texting the most alarming distraction?
It involves both physical and mental distraction at the same time
Texting combines physical and mental distraction simultaneously.
Section 2 · 2.9.4 – Cell/Mobile Phones ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which counts as texting under the federal rule?
Reading text from an electronic device
Texting means manually entering text into or reading text from an electronic device, including e-mail.
Section 2 · 2.9.6 – Don’t Drive Distracted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What happens to a CDL after two or more convictions of a state law on texting while driving a CMV?
It is disqualified
Two or more texting convictions in a CMV lead to CDL disqualification.
Section 2 · 2.9.6 – Don’t Drive Distracted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You plan to use a hands-free phone function but unsafely reach for the phone. Are you in compliance?
No, unsafely reaching for the phone is not allowed
Drivers are not in compliance if they unsafely reach for a phone, even to use hands-free.
Section 2 · 2.9.6 – Don’t Drive Distracted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What happens to crashes if drivers react a half-second slower because of distractions?
Crashes double
Reacting just half a second slower because of distraction doubles crashes.
Section 2 · 2.9.6 – Don’t Drive Distracted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When should you program the GPS and plan your route?
Before you begin driving
Review maps, program the GPS, and plan the route before you start.
Section 2 · 2.9.6 – Don’t Drive Distracted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which tip helps you avoid distraction from other occupants?
Do not engage in complex or emotionally intense conversations
Avoid complex or emotional conversations and ask passengers to help reduce distractions.
Section 2 · 2.9.6 – Don’t Drive Distracted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which is a sign of a distracted driver?
Traveling at inconsistent speeds
Watch for drifting, inconsistent speeds, and drivers busy with maps, food, or phones.
Section 2 · 2.9.7 – Watch Out for Other Distracted Drivers ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why be very careful when passing a driver who seems distracted?
They may not know you are there and may drift in front of you
Give distracted drivers plenty of room, because they may drift into your path.
Section 2 · 2.9.7 – Watch Out for Other Distracted Drivers ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is aggressive driving?
Operating a vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner without regard for others
Aggressive driving is selfish, bold, or pushy driving, such as frequent abrupt lane changes.
Section 2 · 2.10.1 – What Is It? ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is road rage?
Operating a vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or assaulting a driver
Road rage involves intent to harm others or to physically assault a driver or vehicle.
Section 2 · 2.10.1 – What Is It? ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Another driver is driving badly. What attitude helps you avoid aggressive driving?
Give them the benefit of the doubt, since it has nothing to do with you
Imagine why they drive that way. Whatever the reason, it is not about you.
Section 2 · 2.10.2 – Don’t Be an Aggressive Driver ↗PDF, 41 MB -
In which lane should you avoid driving slowly?
The left lane
Do not drive slowly in the left lane of traffic.
Section 2 · 2.10.2 – Don’t Be an Aggressive Driver ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which gestures should you avoid while driving?
Any that might anger another driver, even shaking your head
Keep your hands on the wheel and avoid even mild signs of irritation like shaking your head.
Section 2 · 2.10.2 – Don’t Be an Aggressive Driver ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is the first thing to do when confronted by an aggressive driver?
Make every attempt to get out of their way
First and foremost, get out of their way.
Section 2 · 2.10.3 – What You Should Do When Confronted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When confronted by an aggressive driver, what should you do about eye contact?
Avoid it
Avoid eye contact and ignore gestures.
Section 2 · 2.10.3 – What You Should Do When Confronted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What information should you give when reporting an aggressive driver?
Vehicle description, license number, location, and direction of travel
Report a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible direction of travel.
Section 2 · 2.10.3 – What You Should Do When Confronted ↗PDF, 41 MB -
An aggressive driver crashes farther down the road. What should you do?
Stop a safe distance away, wait for police, and report what you saw
Stop at a safe distance, wait for police, and report the driving you witnessed.
Section 2 · 2.10.3 – What You Should Do When Confronted ↗PDF, 41 MB
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