Your car develops a problem but can safely reach a nearby parking lot. What is generally better than stopping beside a busy travel lane?
Correct answer: Move to the accessible lot away from the traffic stream.
Maryland’s roadside guidance prioritizes getting away from the travel portion of the road when possible. Assess whether an off-ramp or parking lot can be reached safely.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; ASSESS — Find a Safe Place; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Is the triangular painted zone between a highway and an exit ramp a suitable breakdown parking area?
Correct answer: No; do not stop or park in that painted zone.
The painted triangle is not a safe parking bay. Choose a safer location away from traffic if the vehicle can be moved.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; ASSESS — Find a Safe Place; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Your vehicle breaks down on I-270 in Maryland without an immediate life-threatening emergency. Which short number connects you with state-roadway assistance?
Correct answer: #77.
Maryland’s Highway Safety Office directs motorists on state-owned primary roadways to #77 for assistance. Call 911 immediately when the circumstances are an emergency.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; ASSESS — Assess the Situation and Call for Help; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
A disabled vehicle cannot get out of a highway travel lane. What should the driver do promptly?
Correct answer: Activate warning lights, call emergency services and assess the safest next action.
Warn approaching traffic and contact emergency services. Whether to exit depends on the danger and available safe location; crossing a highway on foot can be extremely hazardous.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; If You are Stranded in the Travel Lanes; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You have safely stopped after a breakdown and remaining in the car is safe. How should you wait for help?
Correct answer: Remain buckled and face forward.
The normal seated position and seat belt offer better protection if another vehicle strikes the car. Remaining inside must still be safe in the particular situation.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; If You are Able to Remain in Your Vehicle; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Staying in a broken-down car is unsafe. After evaluating traffic, where should you try to move?
Correct answer: Away from the roadway, behind a barrier or embankment if possible.
When you must exit, move away from the roadway and vehicle to a protected location. Stay alert rather than remaining beside an exposed disabled car.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; If You are Unable to Remain in Your Vehicle; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
After leaving an unsafe disabled car for a protected location, how should you monitor nearby traffic?
Correct answer: Face approaching traffic and remain alert.
Facing oncoming traffic helps you notice a vehicle veering toward you. A protected location reduces exposure but does not remove the need for vigilance.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; If You are Unable to Remain in Your Vehicle; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
When calling your roadside assistance provider, what information is especially useful?
Correct answer: Your specific location and a description of the vehicle.
Responders need to locate the correct vehicle. Give the best available location details and vehicle description when requesting help.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; ASSESS — Assess the Situation and Call for Help; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
A flat tire leaves you exposed beside fast traffic, but the car can safely reach an off-ramp. What does Maryland’s guidance say to consider?
Correct answer: Reaching the safer location, even if it may damage the tire or rim.
If safely possible, getting farther from moving traffic can be more important than avoiding wheel damage. This is a situational safety judgment, not permission to drive a vehicle that cannot be controlled.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; ASSESS — Find a Safe Place; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Why is “always get out immediately” an unsafe rule for every highway breakdown?
Correct answer: Exiting or crossing traffic may create a greater danger in some situations.
Each breakdown is different. Assess the vehicle, traffic and safe escape options; remain belted inside when safe, or move to a protected location when staying is unsafe.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; USE GOOD JUDGMENT & STAY VIGILANT; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
A tire suddenly blows out while you are moving. What is the first control priority?
Correct answer: Keep a firm two-handed grip and stabilize the vehicle.
A blowout can pull or unsettle the car. Keep the vehicle balanced with controlled steering before attempting to leave the roadway.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Tire Blowouts — maintaining control; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Why should you avoid slamming on the brakes as a tire blows out?
Correct answer: A sudden braking reaction can make the unstable vehicle harder to control.
NHTSA warns against overreacting with sudden braking or abrupt throttle release. Stabilize the car and reduce speed in a controlled way.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Tire Blowouts — avoiding overreaction; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
During a blowout, what is the recommended approach to releasing the accelerator?
Correct answer: Ease off gradually while keeping the vehicle controlled.
Abrupt actions can upset the vehicle’s balance. NHTSA advises gradual accelerator release, with steering corrections as needed to maintain control.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Tire Blowouts — gradual accelerator release; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Your car has stabilized after a tire blowout. What should you do next?
Correct answer: Continue slowing and pull off where and when it is safe.
After control is regained, keep slowing and select a safe place off the roadway. Do not turn an initial recovery into a new collision risk.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Tire Blowouts — once stabilized; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Does the basic control procedure change completely depending on whether a front or rear tire blows out?
Correct answer: No; controlled steering and gradual slowing are needed in either case.
The sensations can differ, with more steering force from a front failure and more body movement from a rear failure. NHTSA gives the same basic control steps for both.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Tire Blowouts — front versus rear; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You have slept poorly before a long drive. What is the best way to address the risk before setting off?
Correct answer: Delay driving until you are properly rested.
Adequate sleep is the fundamental protection against drowsy driving. Caffeine is not a substitute for being rested before a long journey.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; Tips to Drive Alert — How To Avoid Driving Drowsy; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Can coffee alone reliably prevent a severely sleep-deprived driver from briefly falling asleep?
Correct answer: No; brief lapses can still occur despite feeling more alert.
Caffeine may improve alertness briefly, but it does not eliminate microsleeps or repay lost sleep. Do not use it to justify driving while exhausted.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; SHORT-TERM INTERVENTIONS; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You feel sleepy and repeatedly drift onto a rumble strip. What should this tell you?
Correct answer: Stop at a safe place to address fatigue instead of pushing on.
Lane drifting and hitting rumble strips can signal drowsiness. Treat them as a warning to stop safely, not as a device that makes continued sleepy driving acceptable.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; Tips to Drive Alert — signs of drowsiness; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Which periods are commonly associated with increased drowsy-driving crashes?
Correct answer: Midnight to 6 a.m. and the late afternoon.
Natural dips in alertness commonly occur overnight and in late afternoon. Drowsiness can still cause a crash at any time.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; Crashes and Fatalities — common periods; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
How can alcohol affect a driver who is already sleepy?
Correct answer: It can increase drowsiness and impairment.
Alcohol and sleepiness can combine to worsen impairment. Avoid alcohol before driving and do not drive when too tired.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; Tips to Drive Alert — alcohol and sleepiness; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Before driving after taking prescription or over-the-counter medicine, what should you check?
Correct answer: Whether its warnings include drowsiness or impaired driving.
Both prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause drowsiness. Read warnings and arrange another way to travel if safe driving may be affected.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; Tips to Drive Alert — medication labels; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You start getting sleepy while driving and a lighted designated rest area is nearby. Which response fits NHTSA’s short-term guidance?
Correct answer: Pull over safely for a short nap, recognizing that its benefit is temporary.
A short nap at a safe stopping place can briefly improve alertness. It is not a guarantee of sustained fitness to drive or a replacement for adequate sleep.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; SHORT-TERM INTERVENTIONS; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Can a sober driver still be unsafe because of lack of sleep?
Correct answer: Yes; fatigue alone can impair performance and cause a crash.
Drowsy driving is a risk in its own right. Being sober does not make an exhausted driver alert enough to drive safely.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; Crashes and Fatalities / How To Avoid Driving Drowsy; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You approach roadway workers and a changing lane layout. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow down, stay attentive and follow the posted lane guidance.
Work zones leave little room for errors. Anticipate lane changes, focus on the road and adjust speed while following the actual controls.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, Work Zone Safety; Work Zone Safety / Maryland State Highway Administration; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Where it is safe and permitted to move over near roadway workers, why should you do so?
Correct answer: To leave more room between your vehicle and the work activity.
Maryland’s Highway Safety Office encourages leaving room for roadway workers. Move only when safe; creating another conflict does not improve work-zone safety.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, Work Zone Safety; Maryland State Highway Administration; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
