If you are not a teen most likely you have been driving for many years. These questions are for adults or teens who want to test their knowledge on driving statistics and rules of the road. How will you do? Try it and find out. Resource: 2013 State of California Drivers Handbook available at any DMV office.
1. Nearly 50% of drivers between the ages of 15-19 years of age are convicted of a traffic violation in their first year of driving.
2. Teenagers as a group average a quarter as many collisions as adult drivers while driving half as many miles.
3. If a person between the ages of 13-21 is convicted of using alcohol or a controlled substance the court will order that the driver’s license be suspended for 1 year.
4. It is not against the law for a minor to use a cell phone while driving.
5. At an intersection where traffic is not controlled, a driver is not required to yield the right of way to a pedestrian if the crosswalk is not marked.
6. In California, pedestrian deaths occur in approximately 10% of all traffic fatalities.
7. A driver who has a passenger(s) in the car who are not seat belted can be cited for each person who is not wearing a seat belt.
8. In California the “Basic Speed Law” means that you may never drive faster than is safe for conditions.
9. When bicycle riders are in a travel lane a driver must maintain 1 ft of clearance between the vehicle and the bicyclist.
10. It is against the law to follow within 100 feet behind any fire truck, ambulance or other emergency vehicle with a siren or flashing lights.
ANSWERS
1. True
2. False. Teen drivers account for twice as many collisions as adults for half of the miles driven.
3. True: If a minor does not have a driver’s license then the court will order the DMV to delay eligibility to apply for a driver’s license.
4. Trick Question: True if the minor is using a cell phone to contact law enforcement, a health care provider, the fire department, or any other emergency entity in an emergency situation. False if the driver is using a cell phone or texting while driving. Give yourself credit either way if you answered correctly.
5. False: Drivers are required to yield right of way to a pedestrian within any intersection, whether the crosswalk is marked or unmarked.
6. False: Pedestrian fatalities occur in 19% of all traffic fatalities.
7. True. Ouch! At $142 per violation, the driver and passenger are both cited.
8. True
9. False: A driver must maintain 3 feet of clearance.
10. True. A driver must maintain 300 ft distance from behind emergency vehicles.
Scoreboard:
100% = Excellent
90% = Very Knowledgeable
80% = Brush Up
70% = Serious Review
60% or less = Read the book cover to cover.
For additional details on the information provided call your local DMV or law enforcement agency.