Series 3-22: Detecting Other Driving Hazards

The “Detecting Other Driving Hazards” section of the Alberta School Bus knowledge test assesses a driver’s ability to recognize and respond to various dangers beyond typical road conditions.

Alberta School Bus Test - SERIES 3-22: Detecting Other Driving Hazards

1 / 25

A clue that another vehicle may present a hazard and deserves extra space is:

Maintaining a steady, appropriate speed

Frequent speed changes when not required by conditions

Keeping a long following distance

Using turn signals early

2 / 25

The main reason for keeping your wheels straight while waiting to turn left is:

To avoid being pushed into oncoming traffic if rear-ended

To reduce tire wear

To save fuel

To make your turn slower

3 / 25

If you do not have a clear view of all oncoming traffic lanes when turning left, you should:

Honk and proceed anyway

Not begin your turn until you have a clear view and it is safe

Turn slowly into the blind area

Rely on other drivers to avoid you

4 / 25

When entering an intersection, the immediate danger usually comes from:

Pedestrians on the sidewalk behind you

Parked vehicles beside the road

Traffic behind your vehicle

Traffic coming from your left on the cross-street

5 / 25

A driver who fails to signal intentions:

Is not a concern to other road users

May present a hazard because their actions are unpredictable

Is always paying attention to traffic

Is usually very experienced

6 / 25

Another driver’s failure to adjust to icy, slippery road conditions:

Means you can follow them closely

Is a clue that they are a potential hazard

Means they are highly skilled in winter driving

Has no impact on your driving decisions

7 / 25

An attentiveness-related hazard clue is:

A driver carefully checking mirrors before stepping out

A cyclist signalling well in advance

A pedestrian making clear eye contact with you

A pedestrian whose vision is obscured or who is distracted (e.g., by an umbrella or music)

8 / 25

Multiple vehicle hazards are typically formed:

At traffic conflict points where traffic converges or intersects

Only in parking lots

Only on deserted rural roads

Only during perfect weather conditions

9 / 25

High-volume traffic can increase hazards because:

It guarantees smoother traffic flow

Visibility can be restricted by other traffic

It eliminates the risk of collisions

It removes the need to adjust speed

10 / 25

While waiting to turn left in an intersection, your front wheels should be:

Turned slightly right

Turned fully to the left as soon as you stop

Turned randomly to keep moving

Kept straight until you actually begin the turn

11 / 25

A motion-related clue to danger might be:

A pedestrian standing still, facing away from the road

A cyclist walking their bike on a path far from traffic

A person sitting on a park bench

Children playing near the road or a pedestrian running toward the road

12 / 25

One key difficulty of real driving situations is that hazards:

Always occur one at a time

Are always easy to predict and avoid

Often occur in combination, requiring split-second thinking and action

Only occur in good weather

13 / 25

The correct sequence for checking when entering an intersection is:

Look in the rear-view mirror first

Look straight ahead, then left

Look right only and proceed

Look left, then right, then left again before moving into the intersection

14 / 25

Other road user hazards include:

Pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, and animals near the roadway

Only vehicles larger than your bus

Road signs and signals

Only other buses

15 / 25

A red-light-runner is most likely to arrive at the intersection:

Only before the light turns red

Only late at night

Ten seconds after the light changes

Within about four seconds of the light changing

16 / 25

If you entered the intersection legally on a green light and the light turns yellow or red while you wait to turn left, you:

Are not allowed to finish the turn

May complete your turn at the earliest safe opportunity

Must remain stopped until the next green

Must back out of the intersection

17 / 25

To make left turns safer, the most important thing for a driver is to be:

Fast and assertive

Focused only on the traffic light colour

Knowledgeable and mindful of the dangers

Unconcerned about cross traffic

18 / 25

Frequent lane changes by another driver suggest:

The driver is trying to help traffic flow

The driver is following all safety rules

Possible aggressiveness, inattentiveness, indecisiveness, fatigue, or alcohol impairment

The driver has excellent lane control

19 / 25

When waiting in the intersection to turn left on a green light, you must:

Only watch for pedestrians, not vehicles

Block oncoming traffic to force your turn

Turn as soon as your light is green, regardless of oncoming traffic

Yield to all oncoming traffic going straight through

20 / 25

If many vehicles are ahead of you waiting to turn left and it may take more than one light cycle, you might:

Block the intersection to force your turn

Drive onto private property to turn around

Go straight through, then make three right turns on side streets to reach your destination

Honk until drivers move faster

21 / 25

Quick, jerky stops when not necessary indicate:

Safe and defensive driving

Good anticipation of traffic flow

A possible hazard that requires you to give extra room

Normal braking behaviour

22 / 25

A clue to a potential hazard involving other road users is:

Empty sidewalks far from the road

Pedestrians or joggers on the shoulder or sidewalk near the road

People standing inside a building

Parked cars in a closed lot

23 / 25

Left turns at controlled intersections:

Are always safe and low risk

Require no special attention

Are less risky than right turns

Are one of the most dangerous driving manoeuvres and cause many serious collisions

24 / 25

Out-of-province licence plates suggest:

The driver knows the local roads well

The driver is always more skilled

The driver may be unfamiliar with the area and could stop or change directions unexpectedly

The driver will never need extra space

25 / 25

Single vehicle hazards involve:

Two vehicles travelling in opposite directions

Three or more vehicles in a collision

Only vehicles travelling at high speed

Only the motion of an individual vehicle

Your score is

This includes unexpected actions from other drivers, such as sudden lane changes, aggressive driving, or vehicles running red lights. School bus drivers must remain alert and prepared to react appropriately to these unpredictable situations. The test ensures drivers can identify these hazards early and take preventive measures to protect their passengers. Strong skills in hazard detection are vital for maintaining a safe journey and upholding the high safety standards required for Alberta school bus drivers.