SA theory test emergencies and hazards practice questions

Question 1

A front tyre blows out while you are driving at highway speed. What should you do?

• Brake hard straight away and steer for the shoulder
• Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator and slow gradually before pulling off the roadCorrect answer
• Accelerate to bring the car back under control
• Take your hands off the wheel and let the car settle itself

Hard braking or sudden steering after a blowout can spin the car. Let it slow itself, then choose where to stop.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: emergencies

Question 2

Your vehicle breaks down in a traffic lane on a busy road. What should you do?

• Stay in the driver's seat with the engine running
• Stand behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic
• Turn on the hazard lights, move the vehicle off the road if you can, and get everyone well clear of the trafficCorrect answer
• Open the bonnet and start work on it where it stopped

Standing near a broken down car in a live lane is the most dangerous place on the road. Get well off the road and call for help.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: breakdowns

Question 3

You are involved in a crash and another person is injured. What must you do?

• Stop, help the injured person, call for assistance and report the crash to policeCorrect answer
• Exchange details and then drive away
• Move all the vehicles before anyone arrives
• Wait for the other driver to call police before you do anything

Failing to stop and help after a crash is a serious offence, and a crash involving injury must be reported to police.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: crashes and what to do

Question 4

The back of your car starts to slide out on a wet road. What is the correct response?

• Brake hard and hold the wheel straight
• Accelerate to pull the car straight
• Turn the wheel sharply the other way
• Ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction you want to goCorrect answer

Smooth inputs let the tyres grip again. Sudden braking or steering usually makes a skid worse.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: skidding

Question 5

You are driving into thick smoke or dust that cuts your visibility right down. What should you do?

• Switch to high beam so you can see further
• Slow down, turn on your low beam headlights, increase your following distance and be ready to stopCorrect answer
• Speed up to get through it
• Turn on the hazard lights and hold your normal speed

High beam reflects off smoke, dust and fog and makes seeing harder. If you cannot see the road, pull well off it and wait.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: driving in poor visibility

Question 6

Water is flowing across the road ahead and you cannot tell how deep it is. What should you do?

• Drive through slowly in a low gear
• Follow another vehicle through at the same speed
• Turn around and find another routeCorrect answer
• Drive through quickly so the engine stays dry

Shallow looking water can hide a washed out road, and moving water can lift a car. There is no safe way to judge it from the driver's seat.

Rule cited: The Driver's Handbook (South Australia), topic: driving in floodwater