ICBC Driving Practice Test – 14

*All traffic must slow down when approaching stopped vehicles displaying flashing lights. When approaching
these types of vehicles, you must drive no faster than 70 km/h if the speed limit is 80 km/h or more, and no faster than 40 km/h if the speed limit is less than 80 km/h. (Exception: this rule does not apply if you are on a divided highway and approaching the vehicle with flashing lights from the opposite direction.)

**All traffic must slow down when approaching stopped vehicles displaying flashing lights. When approaching
these types of vehicles, you must drive no faster than 70 km/h if the speed limit is 80 km/h or more, and no faster than 40 km/h if the speed limit is less than 80 km/h. (Exception: this rule does not apply if you are on a divided highway and approaching the vehicle with flashing lights from the opposite direction.)

*False.

Emergency vehicles displaying flashing
lights and sirens always have the right-of-way. All traffic moving in both directions must stop.

(Exception: if you are on a divided highway and the emergency vehicle is approaching on the other side of the median, you may not need to stop. Make sure that it would be impossible for the emergency vehicle to move onto your side of the highway.)

*Crosswalks with flashing green lights are controlled by pedestrians. When you see a pedestrian standing near this type of crosswalk, you know that they have probably pressed the button and the light is about to change. Slow down and be prepared to stop.

*To see and hear effectively while driving:

• Use glasses or contact lenses if you need them.
• Scan systematically as you drive.
• Repair or replace a noisy engine muffler.
• Don’t play your stereo too loudly.
• Don’t use a cellphone or headphones while driving.

*Having your vision blocked is a hazard. Some examples of vision blocks are:

• a bus that blocks your view of people about to cross the
  street
• a curve or hill that doesn’t let you see what’s ahead
• a large truck in the next lane
• fog, rain or snow.

Be very careful when you can’t see the whole driving scene.

*If you’re in a situation where you feel threatened:

• Get help. Drive to a police station or to a location where there are plenty of people (for example, a shopping mall).
• Call the police if you have a cellphone. (If you’re travelling with someone else, get this person to make the call so you can focus on driving.)
• Don’t go home.
• Keep the doors locked and the windows closed.
• Sound the horn or attract attention to yourself if someone tries to get into your car.

*If you experience turbulence while driving:

• Slow down.
• Grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands.
• Watch out for vehicles that could be more easily forced into your path —motorcycles, small cars, campers and vehicles towing trailers.
• Allow extra space on the side if you are passing a large truck or trailer.

*To keep your passengers in the vehicle safe:

• Refuse to move unless everyone is wearing a seatbelt.
• Tell children the rules before you start the trip.
• Give children activities if it’s a long drive.
• Tell passengers that you will not be able to talk very much because you need to concentrate on driving.
• Use humour with your friends. For example, tell them you’re not smart enough to drive and joke around at
  the same time.
• Make sure the animals you are transporting are secured in cages. A wandering, frightened animal is a dangerous distraction.

*Recreational or street drugs such as speed, heroin and cocaine have a wide variety of effects including:

• hallucinations
• altered perception
• feelings of invincibility
• lack of judgment
• drowsiness
• inattentiveness

*To handle/overcome glare and shadows while driving:

• Slow down before entering tunnels to let your eyes adjust to the lower light levels.
• Remove your sunglasses and turn on your headlights while driving through tunnels.
• Use sunglasses and your sun visor during the daytime.
• Keep your windows clean.
• Adjust your rear-view mirror to the night-driving position.
• Keep a good following distance at night to reduce the glare your headlights create.

*To reduce the risks of driving at night:

• Keep your eyes moving. Scan carefully for pedestrians, cyclists and animals on the road.
• Avoid glare from lights. Glance to the right edge of the road to avoid glare from oncoming lights. Adjust your rear-view mirror for night driving to avoid glare from headlights of vehicles behind you. Adjust your outside rear-view mirrors so that the body of the vehicle is just outside your view — this will help reduce blind spots as well as glare. Keep interior lights off and keep the instrument panel lights low.
• Keep your windows and lights clean.
• Stay alert at night. Sing, talk out loud or stop for a cup of coffee to make sure you stay awake.
• Slow down.
• Increase your following distance.

*Difficult weather conditions can be hazardous for drivers because visibility is often reduced. In these conditions:

• Slow down.
• Maintain extra space margins.
• Search and scan more carefully.
• Use low beam headlights in rain, snow and fog.
• Do not pass in extreme weather conditions because you can’t see far enough ahead.
• Pull over and stop if necessary until the visibility improves. Choose a place that is safe from other traffic and does not block roadways.
• Use your defroster to keep your windows clear. If necessary, leave a window partly open for ventilation.
• Clear the vehicle of snow and ice before starting off. Make sure you can see clearly.
• Keep your wipers and washers in good working order.

*To keep alert behind the wheel, especially for long journeys:

• Start out well-rested.
• Take breaks. Walk around and get some exercise.
• Stop and eat, but avoid heavy meals because they may
  make you feel sleepy.
• Keep the heat level moderate.
• Keep a window open for fresh air.
• Sing or talk to keep yourself paying attention.
• Pull over to a rest stop and take a nap (be sure to lock your doors).
• Don’t drive too far at one time. If you are making a long trip, be especially careful on the second day. This is when tiredness is most likely to affect you.

*You need at least two seconds of space in front in good weather and road conditions.

Increase your following distance to three seconds on high-speed roads and to four seconds in bad weather conditions or on uneven or slippery roads.

*To help stay safe when a tire blows out:

• Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
• Don’t brake suddenly and risk the loss of steering control. Ease off the accelerator and decelerate slowly. You can start to brake gently once the car has slowed down.
• Steer in the direction you want to go.
• Signal or put on the hazard lights and pull off the road as soon as it’s safe.

*False

It is illegal to drive at night with parking lights or daytime running lights instead of headlights.

*In ideal conditions, it takes most vehicles stopped at an intersection about:

• two seconds per lane to go straight across
• five seconds to turn right and get up to 50 km/h
• seven seconds to turn left and get up to 50 km/h (allow extra time if you need to cross several lanes).

Remember to add an extra two seconds for safety.

*Unless a sign tells you otherwise, speed limits are:

• 50 km/h within cities and towns
• 80 km/h outside cities and towns
• 20 km/h is the maximum speed limit in a lane or alleyway within municipalities unless otherwise posted.

*False.

Horse riders and horse carriage operators
have the same rights as motor vehicle operators and must obey the same rules.

*On a multi-lane road, the right lane is often the safest one to choose. It keeps you away from oncoming traffic and it’s less likely that another driver will tailgate you.