After a breakdown, your car is on the highway shoulder with no fire or other immediate danger inside. What does current Connecticut roadside guidance recommend?
Correct answer: Stay inside with seat belts fastened, turn on flashers and call for help.
The current highway-safety guidance advises occupants to stay belted inside, use hazard lights and call for assistance. Follow responders' directions; this scenario excludes an immediate danger requiring escape.
Source: Connecticut DOT Office of Highway Safety — Stay in Your Car: stay belted, call for help and use flashers; manual printed p39: get off road ↗
The brake pedal loses normal pressure. The guide's initial attempt to regain braking does not work. How should the parking brake be used if needed?
Correct answer: Apply it gradually, ready to release it if the wheels start to skid.
The manual advises gradual parking-brake application after attempting to restore brake pressure. Avoid locking the rear wheels and bring the vehicle to a safe stop; do not continue driving without working brakes.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 39; PDF p. 41 — Equipment Failure: Brake Failure ↗
A tire suddenly goes flat while you are moving. What is the best initial response?
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight and slow gradually.
Maintain directional control first. Ease off the accelerator, slow gradually and pull off the roadway at a safe location.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 39; PDF p. 41 — Equipment Failure: Tire Blowout ↗
Your engine dies while the car is moving. What should you expect?
Correct answer: Steering and braking may require much more effort, but you should maintain control and pull off safely.
Loss of power assistance can make steering and braking harder. Keep a firm grip, apply the necessary effort and move to a safe place.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 40; PDF p. 42 — Equipment Failure: Power Failure ↗
The accelerator sticks and the engine keeps racing. Which action helps disconnect engine power from the wheels?
Correct answer: Shift to Neutral while keeping your eyes on the road.
The manual directs you to shift promptly to Neutral, maintain control and pull off when safe. Turn the engine off after getting out of danger; do not lock the steering while moving.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 40; PDF p. 42 — Equipment Failure: Gas Pedal Sticks ↗
Your ABS-equipped car needs an emergency stop and the brake pedal pulses. What should you do?
Correct answer: Maintain firm brake pressure and steer as needed.
Pedal pulsation can be normal ABS operation. Keep firm pressure rather than pumping, and follow the vehicle owner's instructions.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 40; PDF p. 42 — Avoiding Collisions: stopping quickly with ABS ↗
A car without ABS begins skidding because you braked hard enough to lock its wheels. What should you do?
Correct answer: Ease brake pressure to let the wheels roll, then reapply controlled braking.
Without ABS, reduce pressure when wheels lock so steering and traction can recover, then brake again without locking them. This differs from maintaining pressure with ABS.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 40; PDF p. 42 — Avoiding Collisions: stopping quickly without ABS ↗
Your vehicle starts sliding on a slippery curve. What is the appropriate steering goal?
Correct answer: Steer toward the path you want the vehicle to follow and avoid abrupt braking.
Steer where you want to go and make controlled corrections as grip returns. Excessive steering or sudden braking can worsen the skid.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 40; PDF p. 42 — Dealing with Skids ↗
Your car is involved in a crash and someone is injured. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop, get emergency help and notify police; remain to provide the required information.
An injury crash requires stopping and police notification. Do not leave before police obtain the required information; get emergency help and stay out of traffic.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 41; PDF p. 43 — Traffic Crashes: injury, police notice and remaining at scene ↗
You strike a parked car and cannot find its owner after trying. What does the manual direct you to do?
Correct answer: Leave a visible note with the date, time and contact information, and report the crash to police.
Try to find the owner. If unsuccessful, leave a note where it can be seen with the accident time and contact details. The manual also directs reporting property-damage crashes to police.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 41; PDF p. 43 — Report the Accident: parked vehicle owner unavailable ↗
After a crash, which information should the involved drivers exchange?
Correct answer: Names, addresses, license and vehicle information, and available insurance details.
Record the identifying, vehicle and insurance information listed in the manual, along with witness details and damage. A private promise does not replace the required information.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 41; PDF p. 43 — Report the Accident: exchange information ↗
A crash victim is injured but is not exposed to fire or another immediate danger. What should you do?
Correct answer: Call for emergency help and avoid moving the person unnecessarily.
The manual warns that moving an injured person can worsen injuries. Obtain professional help; immediate danger is a different situation.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 41; PDF p. 43 — At the Accident Scene; If someone is injured ↗
You repeatedly yawn, miss an exit and struggle to keep your eyes open. What is the safest response?
Correct answer: Stop driving at a safe place and rest or arrange another driver.
These are warning signs of fatigue. Rest is the effective response; noise, fresh air and speed do not reliably restore alertness.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 28; PDF p. 30 — Fatigue: warning signs and preventing a crash ↗
A hostile driver follows you and appears to want a confrontation. What should you do?
Correct answer: Avoid engaging and head toward a public, well-lit place where you can get help.
The manual advises avoiding confrontation and not going home when pursued. A police station or another public, well-lit location offers a safer opportunity to get help.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 26; PDF p. 28 — Avoiding the Risks: hostile motorist pursuing you ↗
You need to study an unfamiliar route on a map or navigation screen. What is the best plan?
Correct answer: Plan before departure or stop in a safe parking place to study it.
Route planning is a distraction when done while driving. Complete it before moving or after parking safely, instead of dividing your attention in traffic.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 27; PDF p. 29 — Driver Distractions: route and navigation preparation ↗
You do not have a qualifying disability plate or placard. An accessible parking space is empty. May you park there for a brief errand?
Correct answer: No; the short errand does not provide the required authorization.
The manual reserves these spaces for vehicles with the appropriate disability plate or placard. A brief stay or warning lights do not authorize their use.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 37; PDF p. 39 — No-Parking Zones: accessible parking ↗
During ordinary braking, your car consistently pulls to one side and the pedal feels abnormal. What should you do?
Correct answer: Have the braking system checked and serviced before relying on the car for normal travel.
Pulling, unusual pedal behavior, noise or odor can indicate a braking problem. The manual directs drivers to have defective brakes checked rather than continuing to compensate for them.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 11; PDF p. 13 — Exterior Equipment: braking system ↗
Frost covers the car's windows before a winter trip. What should you do?
Correct answer: Clear all windows so you have an unobstructed view before driving.
Clear snow, ice and frost from all windows, not just a small forward patch. You need side and rear visibility as well as a clear windshield.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 11; PDF p. 13 — Exterior Equipment: windshield, wipers and windows ↗
Your headlights fail during a night trip. What is the safe response?
Correct answer: Slow gradually, get off the road safely and use available warning lights while arranging help.
The manual says to slow and pull off as soon as possible, try the light control and use emergency lights if needed. Do not continue ordinary driving without headlights.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 40; PDF p. 42 — Equipment Failure: Headlight Failure ↗
You want to overtake a vehicle, but an approaching hill blocks your view of opposing traffic. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait until you have a clear view and enough room for a safe pass.
Treat a hidden section beyond a hill or curve as potentially occupied. Do not start a pass without sufficient sight distance and room to finish.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual, revised March 2023; printed p. 24; PDF p. 26 — Visibility: Hills and Curves ↗
