POST Emergency Vehicle Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When approaching a blind intersection with emergency lights and siren activated, an officer should:
- Accelerate through quickly to minimize exposure time
- Cover the brake and prepare to stop if necessary (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn only and deactivate the siren briefly
- Flash headlights repeatedly to warn cross traffic
Correct answer: Cover the brake and prepare to stop if necessary
Officers must cover the brake and be prepared to stop at blind intersections regardless of emergency status, because other drivers may not yield in time.
Question 2: The 'coefficient of friction' in emergency vehicle operations refers to:
- The ratio of engine power to vehicle weight
- The grip between tires and the road surface (Correct answer)
- The braking distance at a given speed
- The turning radius under emergency conditions
Correct answer: The grip between tires and the road surface
Coefficient of friction describes how much grip exists between the tire and road surface, directly affecting braking distance and vehicle control.
Question 3: During a pursuit, if a fleeing vehicle turns into oncoming traffic, the pursuing officer should FIRST:
- Immediately follow into oncoming traffic to maintain visual contact
- Notify dispatch and attempt to parallel the suspect on a different route (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to force the vehicle back into proper lanes
- Activate only red lights to warn oncoming drivers and continue pursuit
Correct answer: Notify dispatch and attempt to parallel the suspect on a different route
Officers should not follow into oncoming traffic; instead they should notify dispatch and attempt a parallel route to reduce public risk.
Question 4: Which condition MOST significantly increases stopping distance during emergency vehicle operations?
- Driving with emergency lights activated
- Wet or icy road surfaces (Correct answer)
- Carrying a full complement of officers
- Operating during daylight hours
Correct answer: Wet or icy road surfaces
Wet or icy road surfaces drastically reduce tire friction, significantly increasing the distance required to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a 'pursuit intervention technique' (PIT)?
- To disable the suspect vehicle's engine remotely
- To use a roadblock of multiple vehicles ahead of the suspect
- To cause a controlled loss of control in the suspect vehicle to end a pursuit (Correct answer)
- To slash the suspect's tires using spike strips during a high-speed chase
Correct answer: To cause a controlled loss of control in the suspect vehicle to end a pursuit
The PIT maneuver uses the patrol vehicle to contact the rear quarter of the suspect vehicle, causing a controlled spin that ends the pursuit.
Question 6: An officer operating an emergency vehicle in California is exempt from traffic laws ONLY when:
- The officer is on duty and responding to any call
- Emergency lights and siren are both activated and due regard for safety is exercised (Correct answer)
- The shift supervisor has authorized emergency driving
- The officer is pursuing a felony suspect regardless of equipment status
Correct answer: Emergency lights and siren are both activated and due regard for safety is exercised
California law grants emergency exemptions only when both audible and visual signals are in use and the officer exercises due regard for safety of all persons.
Question 7: When driving on a wet surface at 60 mph and the vehicle begins to hydroplane, the officer should:
- Apply firm, steady brake pressure immediately
- Jerk the steering wheel to regain traction
- Ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the desired direction (Correct answer)
- Shift into a lower gear to use engine braking
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the desired direction
During hydroplaning, the driver should gradually reduce speed by lifting off the gas and make only smooth, gentle steering inputs until tires regain contact.
POST Emergency Vehicle Operations 2
When approaching a blind intersection with emergency lights and siren activated, an officer should: