PRE-TRIP PATROL
What is the main purpose of a pre-trip inspection?
To find safety problems before driving.
What should you check before changing lanes?
Mirrors, blind spots, and available space around the vehicle.
Why does a large truck need more space ahead than a passenger car?
It generally needs more distance to stop.
When should you reduce speed for a curve?
Before entering the curve
What is the safest way to avoid a backing collision
Avoid backing whenever possible.
What should you do to your following distance when roads become slippery?
Increase it.
Who is responsible for making sure the cargo is safely secured before driving?
The driver, even when someone else loaded it.
What should you do first if a tire suddenly blows out?
Hold the steering wheel firmly and concentrate on maintaining control.
Who has the right-of-way at a railroad crossing: your truck or the train?
The train.
What should you do with your seat belt before moving the vehicle?
Fasten it and wear it properly.
What could rust streaks around wheel nuts indicate
Loose wheel nuts.
How far ahead should you normally look while driving?
At least 12–15 seconds ahead.
Under good conditions below 40 mph, how much following distance should you allow for each 10 feet of vehicle length?
At least one second.
Does the posted speed limit always mean that speed is safe for your truck?
No. Weather, traffic, visibility, load, and road conditions may require a lower speed.
What should you do before backing into an unfamiliar area?
Get out and inspect the backing path and surrounding clearance.
Which usually freezes first: a bridge deck or the nearby road surface?
The bridge deck.
Why should heavy cargo generally be placed low?
To lower the center of gravity and reduce rollover risk.
Should you immediately slam on the brakes after a tire blowout?
No. Stay off the brakes until the vehicle slows and is under control, then brake gently and pull off safely.
Should you shift gears while crossing railroad tracks?
No. Select a suitable gear before crossing and stay in it until clear.
What should you do if another driver is tailgating you?
Increase the space ahead, avoid sudden moves, and allow the driver to pass safely.
What is the minimum tread depth required on front steering tires?
4/32 inch in every major tread groove.
Why should you check your mirrors during a turn?
To watch the rear of the vehicle and make sure it clears obstacles and other traffic.
Under good conditions, what following distance should a 60-foot vehicle maintain at 35 mph?
At least six seconds.
Why should you select a lower gear before starting down a steep hill?
To use engine braking and avoid relying too heavily on the service
Why is backing toward the driver’s side usually safer than backing toward the passenger side?
The driver can see the vehicle’s path more clearly.
Why can pavement be especially slippery when rain first begins?
Rain mixes with oil and other road residue before washing it away.
For cargo you can inspect, when should you first recheck its securement after starting a trip?
Within the first 50 miles.
What should you do if you become too sleepy to drive safely?
Stop in a safe place and get rest.
Before entering a railroad crossing with traffic stopped ahead, what must you confirm?
There is enough room beyond the tracks for the entire vehicle to clear.
What does a hazardous-materials placard communicate?
The type of hazardous-material danger associated with the load.
What is the minimum tread depth required on tires other than the front steering tires?
2/32 inch in every major tread groove.
Why should you avoid staring into the headlights of an approaching vehicle?
The glare can temporarily reduce your ability to see.
Under good conditions, what following distance should a 60-foot vehicle maintain at 50 mph?
At least seven seconds: six for its length, plus one for traveling above 40 mph.
What can happen if you use a retarder on a slippery road?
The drive wheels may lose traction and skid.
What should you do if you lose sight of your backing helper?
Stop immediately and reestablish visual contact.
What is hydroplaning?
The tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road.
After the first cargo check, when should accessible cargo and its securement be checked again?
Every three hours or 150 miles, whichever comes first, and after .each driving break
If your brakes fail on a downgrade and an escape ramp is available, what should you do?
Use the escape ramp.
When a railroad stop is required and no stop line dictates the position, how far from the nearest rail should you stop?
Between 15 and 50 feet.
If a medicine is sold without a prescription, does that automatically make it safe to take before driving?
No. Over-the-counter medicines can cause drowsiness or otherwise impair driving.
Name three types of emergency equipment you should check during a pre-trip inspection.
A properly rated fire extinguisher, warning devices such as reflective triangles, and spare electrical fuses unless the vehicle uses circuit breakers.
What does “overdriving your headlights” mean?
Driving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights.
What three distances make up total stopping distance before adding any air-brake lag?
Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance.
On the same road surface, what generally happens to braking distance when speed doubles?
Braking distance increases by about four times.
What should you and your backing helper agree on before starting?
Clear hand signals, especially an unmistakable stop signal.
What should you do if your vehicle begins hydroplaning?
Ease off the accelerator, avoid braking and abrupt steering, and let the vehicle slow until traction returns.
Can a truck be under its total weight limit and still be overloaded
Yes. An individual axle or axle group can be overloaded.
If it is safe to use a fire extinguisher on a small fire, where should you aim?
At the base of the fire
Why can a low-clearance trailer get stuck at a raised railroad crossing?
The trailer’s underside can contact the raised roadway and hang up on the crossing.
What is the only reliable way to eliminate alcohol impairment?
Allow enough time for the body to eliminate the alcohol. Coffee, exercise, and cold showers do not sober you up.