Alberta Motor Association Special Driving Conditions and Emergency Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should you do if your vehicle's brakes suddenly fail while driving?
- Turn off the engine immediately
- Steer into a guardrail to stop
- Pump the brakes, downshift to a lower gear, and use the parking brake gradually (Correct answer)
- Swerve across lanes to reduce speed through friction
Correct answer: Pump the brakes, downshift to a lower gear, and use the parking brake gradually
Pumping the brakes may restore some pressure, downshifting uses engine braking, and the parking brake applied gradually can slow the vehicle safely.
Question 2: What is the correct response to a tire blowout while driving?
- Brake firmly and steer toward the shoulder
- Immediately steer sharply away from the flat tire
- Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight (Correct answer)
- Accelerate briefly to stabilize the vehicle
Correct answer: Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight
A firm grip maintains control, releasing the accelerator lets the vehicle slow gradually, and steering straight prevents a spin.
Question 3: What is black ice and when is it most likely to form?
- Thick visible ice that forms in winter storms
- A thin transparent layer of ice that often forms overnight or early morning near the freezing point (Correct answer)
- Ice found only on black asphalt roads
- Ice that forms only on bridges and overpasses
Correct answer: A thin transparent layer of ice that often forms overnight or early morning near the freezing point
Black ice is nearly invisible because it is a thin transparent glaze that forms when temperatures dip near freezing, typically overnight or at dawn.
Question 4: What is hydroplaning and how do you respond to it?
- A vehicle vibration caused by unbalanced tires — brake firmly
- When tires ride on a film of water and lose contact with the road — ease off the gas and steer gently straight (Correct answer)
- A type of brake failure — apply the parking brake
- Skidding caused by over-steering — turn into the skid sharply
Correct answer: When tires ride on a film of water and lose contact with the road — ease off the gas and steer gently straight
Hydroplaning occurs when water builds up faster than tires can displace it; easing off the gas allows tires to regain road contact.
Question 5: If your vehicle begins to skid, what is the correct steering response?
- Turn sharply in the opposite direction of the skid
- Brake firmly to stop the skid
- Steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go (into the skid) (Correct answer)
- Release the steering wheel and let the vehicle correct itself
Correct answer: Steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go (into the skid)
Steering into the skid — toward the direction the rear of the car is sliding — helps realign the vehicle and restore control.
Question 6: What should you do if your accelerator pedal becomes stuck?
- Turn the ignition fully off immediately
- Shift to neutral, brake safely, and steer to the shoulder (Correct answer)
- Pump the gas pedal to free it
- Open the door to drag your foot on the ground
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, brake safely, and steer to the shoulder
Shifting to neutral disconnects engine power instantly, allowing you to brake and steer safely to the side of the road.
Alberta Motor Association Special Driving Conditions and Emergency Procedures 1
What should you do if your vehicle's brakes suddenly fail while driving?