1. What is the most important safety item on the bus?
a. First aid kit b. Bio hazard kit c. Safety reflector kit d. Driver*
*The driver has to operate all the other equipment. The driver must be in top safety performance and attitude.
2. The driver is an organization’s __________.
a. Greatest asset b. Biggest liability
c. Safety policy representative d. All of the above*
*The driver is the person entrusted to carry out the safety polices of the organization. How well they do that will determine (a) or (b) and to what degree.
3. Safety is the avoidance of risk.
a. True*
b. False
*If you remove risk then you are safe; you may not be able to remove risk entirely, but you can reduce it significantly.
4. All accidents, major and minor, share the same origin. Someone has either caused the accident or failed to prevent it.
a. True b. False
5. Over the years all drivers develop patterns of unsafe behavior.
a. True*
b. False
*If no one has explained to them how some of their actions are unsafe and why, they will eventually become comfortable with their risky behavior until there is an accident.
6. Defensive Driving takes a conscious commitment to practice risk reducing driving habits.
a. True b. False
7. What is the biggest downfall that can affect a veteran driver?
a. Passengers that are demanding
b. Complacency- letting your guard down*
c. Boredom
*Complacency; letting your guard down, allowing too many risks
8. To reduce reaction time a driver should _______.
a. Hover your foot over the brake pedal at intersections b. Scan ahead for possible issues
c. Anticipate other drivers actions d. All of the above*
*The attitude of defensive driving keeps your subconscious ready to react.
9. Reaction time is the time it takes you to recognize there is a problem and for your body to physically react to the problem.
a. True b. False
10. Defensive driving is driving in a manner that prepares you for the risks that others are subjecting to you.
a. True b. False
11. The driver that removes risk keeps themselves, their passengers, and others around them safe.
a. True b. False
12. Drivers must be attentive to detail when _____.
a. Checking mirrors b. Checking gauges c. At intersections d. All driving functions*
*Drivers must focus their full attention to all driving functions. Any distraction either physical on psychological can be disastrous.
13. Sometimes you can READ the actions of another driver to anticipate what their vehicle may do.
a. True*
b. False
*This is especially true at intersections.
14. You are approaching an intersection, and a vehicle is in the turn lane stopped, ready to pull across your lane after you pass. You should be considering _____.
a. Their wheels are already turned, so if hit from the rear they may be pushed in front of you b. The driver is attending to children; their foot may slip off the brake
c. An oncoming driver appears to be chatting with his passenger d. All the above
15. A “false turn signal” can occur when the sun flashes off a highly reflective turn signal light.
a. True*
b. False
*This is especially true on rough roads.
16. You see another driver driving in an unsafe manner. What is the most important thing that you can do to avoid being involved in an accident?
a. Flash your headlights b. Sound your horn c. Use your 4-way flashers d. Give them the right of way*
*Give them the right of way. Do not provoke road rage.
17. Chain reaction accidents occur because _____.
a. The lead driver has an accident without time to apply their brakes, so the next vehicle has no warning.
b. The second driver has failed to scan, check mirrors, and has fallen into a “blind stare.”
c. All are following too close d. All of the above
18. Total stopping distance is a combination of ________________________________.
a. Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance b. Road surface and age
c. Tread wear and vehicle capacity d. Time of the day and attitude of driver
19. Compared to a passenger car, following distance for a transit vehicle should be ___________________________.
a. About the same
b. Greater, but only in adverse weather c. Never more than three seconds
d. Greater in both ideal and adverse conditions
20. Reaction distance and braking distance are the same.
a. True b. False*
*Reaction distance (time) affects overall braking distance.
21. A driver should check their mirrors and gauges ______.
a. Every 5 to 8 seconds.
b. To make sure another vehicle doesn’t enter into the blind spot behind your vehicle.
c. To prevent getting into the “blind stare,” or “driver hypnosis”
d. All of the above
22. You should always adjust the driver’s seat before making mirror adjustments.
a. True*
b. False
*Your seat position will effect what you will see in the mirror.
23. How much of the side of your bus should you see in your mirrors?
a. None of your bus b. ½” to 1”*
c. 1” to 2”
d. All of your bus
*This is used as a reference to determine where other objects are in relation to your bus. Devoting too much of the mirror to your bus will greatly reduce the field of view around your bus that the mirror could offer.
24. Which mirror offers the best view of a car directly on your side?
a. Interior
b. Small convex side*
c. Large flat side
* If adjusted properly will offer a wide field of view including items immediately to your side that may be already too far forward to be seen in the large flat mirror.
25. Railroad crossing signals are made so that they will never fail to activate when a train approaches.
a. True b. False*
*There are several documented fatalities caused by crossing signals that have not activated to warn of an approaching train.
26. Illinois law states that “the railroad crossing stop must always be made in the outside through lane of traffic.”
a. True*
b. False
*Never in the “passing lane” or a turn lane, unless you intend to turn with that lane.
27. Illinois state law now permits motorcycles and bicyclists to proceed through a red light after they have waited a reasonable time and it has not changed to green.
a. True*
b. False
*Illinois allows that sometimes an automatic signal will not recognize a motorcycle or bicycle waiting in a roadway.
28. It is okay to cross over a double yellow line to pass a slow moving vehicle.
a. True b. False*
*Do not cross over a double yellow line.
29. When traveling behind a vehicle that has left their turn signal on for a long period of time, you should _______.
a. Maintain your speed
b. Pass them as soon as possible c. Honk your horn
d. Increase your following distance and expect the unexpected
30. If a deer runs out in front of your vehicle, you should_______.
a. Drive off the road to avoid hitting it
b. Stay in your lane, slowly apply the brakes, and hit the deer if it does not get out of the way in time*
c. Honk and try to avoid the deer
d. Speed up in hopes that the deer will run away
*If you swerve to miss the deer, you may lose control of your vehicle causing a more severe accident.
31. If you must steer off the roadway in an emergency, you should_______.
a. Avoid heavy braking
b. Stay on the shoulder until you have slowed enough to safely pull back on the roadway c. Avoid sharp turns
d. All of the above*
*Sharp turning and/or heavy braking will cause you to lose control, as will trying to reenter the roadway at speed.
32. The minimum required tire tread depth is ______.
a. 4/32 (1/8th) inch on every major groove on the front tires b. 2/32 (1/16th) inch on every major groove on the rear tires c. Okay as long as none are worn down to a wear bar d. All of the above*
*Wear bars are at 3/32, so if a tire is not yet worn down to the wear bar it should be safe to assume that it is still close to 4/32 and could be run in any position.
33. Wheel lug torque (tightness) _________________.
a. Is different for every type vehicle
b. Should be rechecked after driving a couple hundred miles c. Can be over tightened
d. All of the above
34. A loose wheel nut can overstress the others, causing them to break.
a. True b. False
35. Generally, loose lug nuts can be found by turning them with your fingers a. True
b. False*
*Usually other damage has occurred before a lug nut gets that loose.
36. During your pre-trip you see a rust trace line coming from a wheel lug nut outward on a wheel you should_______.
a. Start your route, have someone look at it when you have a break.
b. Do nothing; it’s okay, just dirty c. Call the supervisor immediately*
*The rust trace most likely is caused by a loose lug nut. That puts stress on the others and they could break.
37. If you are driving on the road and your engine stalls, you should turn off the ignition and steer to the side of the road.
a. True b. False*
*On vehicles that have steering wheel lock, pull over and stop BEFORE shutting off the ignition. Turning the key completely off will lock the steering wheel.
38. If a drive belt breaks, you will loose control of your steering and brake.
a. True b. False*
*Depending on your vehicle, if a drive belt brakes you will not have power assist, but you WILL have MANUAL steering and brakes. They will be very hard to operate, but DO NOT PANIC.
39. If your vehicle starts to skid you should_______.
a. Ease up on the accelerator b. Do not brake
c. Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want it to go d. All of the above
40. Overhead vehicle clearance may need to be reconsidered when there is ice and snow build up on the vehicle and/or on the roadway.
a. True b. False
41. At every stop where you exit and walk around the vehicle you have an opportunity to_______.
a. Glance at tires and wheel lug nuts b. Check lights that are “in use”
c. Be alert for leaks or unusual noises d. Be alert for smells and/or hot brakes e. All of the above*
*Just a casual glance may catch something and prevent a larger problem.
42. Distracted driving is so dangerous because at 55 miles per hour, your vehicle will travel_______.
a. 50 feet each second b. 60 feet each second c. 70 feet each second d. 80 feet each second
43. To avoid an unintentional skid________.
a. Slow down b. Accelerate slowly
c. Brake slowly by pumping the brakes d. Do not make sudden steering actions e. Look ahead and anticipate
f. All the above
44. Glare can be caused by dirt and film on windshields and mirrors.
a. True*
b. False
*Light rays will retract off dirt and film on glass (mirror effect)
45. If your headlights go out you can try______.
a. Switching to high or low beam
b. Turning on the light switch in case it was bumped
c. Turning to park position or turning signal flashers to give at least some light d. All of the above*
46. At cruising speed, your volt meter should read______.
a. 6 to 10 volts b. 8 to 11 volts c. 12 to 14 volts*
*Depending on the accuracy of the meter. A decrease of over 1 volt from normal position at cruising speed is cause for concern.
47. Flashing your brake lights is a good idea to deter tailgaters.
a. True b. False*
*This action may provoke a road rage incident. Proceed at a safe pace. Allow more following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
48. In the event of a tire blowout______.
a. Counter steer cautiously to maintain control
b. Accelerate slightly until the sideways pull has neutralized c. Do not brake
d. Pull to the shoulder only after you have slowed and can maintain control e. All of the above*
*A blown tire will pull your vehicle in the direction of the flattened tire. Accelerating enough to counteract that pull will give you control so you can safely slow down.
49. Signs of tampering that you should look for during your pre-trip inspection______.
a. Scratches or marks made by prying tools
b. Additional wires leading from the battery or power lug c. Missing or unusual light bulbs
d. Items attached to vehicle , wheel wells, or frame with magnets or duct tape e. Unusual fluid or powder spill, especially around “fill” openings
f. All the above
50. You apply your brake pedal and it ineffectively goes to the floor, you should ________________.
a. “ Pump” the pedal to recover at least some braking action b. Down shift the vehicle to make use of engine braking c. Cautiously use the parking brake
d. Be alert for an escape route e. All of the above*
*Even with a blown brake line, pumping the pedal may supply enough fluid to make a single stop. Do not shut off the ignition, as that may disable the power brake assist, and/or lock the steering wheel. Cautiously apply the parking brake (while holding the release button or lever to avoid rear wheel lock up, which would throw the vehicle into a slide).
51. What will prevent the exit windows from sticking in the summer and freezing in the winter?
a. Baby oil b. Silicone spray c. PAM (cooking spray) d. All of the above*
*Works on service door nose rubbers, driver door seal, and lift door seals also.
52. What is so important in your life that would make you cut corners to save a few seconds of your time and impose risk into your life and the lives of those entrusted to you? NOTHING!
