Series 3-24a: Emergency Driving Techniques 1

The “Emergency Driving Techniques” section of the Alberta School Bus Knowledge Test evaluates a driver’s ability to handle unexpected situations safely and effectively.

Alberta School Bus Test - SERIES 3-24a: Emergency Driving Techniques 1

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ABS systems “feel” tire slip using:

A pressure gauge on the dashboard

Computer-controlled sensors at each wheel

The power steering pump

The parking brake cable

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A flat tire acts like:

A shock absorber on that side

A steering stabilizer

A brake on that side of the vehicle

A traction aid

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During a skid, tires lose:

Air pressure immediately

Proper traction with the road surface

Contact with the rims

The ability to rotate

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Pumping ABS brakes:

Engages an emergency mode

Defeats the computer’s effort to sense a wheel skid

Is required on slippery roads

Helps the system work faster

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When correcting a skid, you should turn your wheels:

In the opposite direction of the skid

In the same direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding

All the way to the left

Straight ahead and hold them there

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Once you lose traction and go into a skid, control is regained by:

Turning off the engine

Shifting to neutral and coasting

Accelerating hard

Steering and braking properly

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When braking hard with ABS, you should:

Release the pedal if you feel pulsation

Press the brake hard and hold it, regardless of noise or pulsation

Apply light, intermittent pressure

Pump the brakes rapidly

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When a tire blowout occurs, your first steering response should be to:

Let go of the wheel to avoid injury

Immediately turn onto the shoulder

Grip the steering wheel firmly and steer straight down the centre of your lane

Turn sharply into the skid

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If a front tire blows out, the steering will:

Pull away from the side with the blowout

Not be affected

Pull strongly toward the side with the blowout

Become completely loose in your hands

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Skids almost always happen because the vehicle was:

Being driven in a straight line

Too light for the road surface

Travelling too fast for conditions

Using low beam headlights

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A tire-failure skid can result from:

Excessive use of turn signals

Overuse of windshield wipers

Under-inflation or a sudden deflation from a blowout

Low engine oil pressure

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On a vehicle with ABS in an emergency stop, you should release brake pressure:

When your speed drops by half

As soon as you feel vibration

Only when you no longer need to brake

Whenever you begin to steer

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Skids are primarily caused by:

Passenger movement

Weather forecasts

Mechanical design of the bus

Driver error

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Once mastered, threshold braking will:

Stop you faster than any other method with non-ABS brakes

Always stop you slower but more comfortably

Only work on dry roads

Damage the braking system

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ABS (anti-lock braking systems) are designed to:

Eliminate the need for driver input

Prevent wheel lockup and maintain steering control

Reduce fuel consumption

Make braking completely automatic

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“Threshold braking” means:

Using only the parking brake to stop

Applying brake pressure up to the point of almost locking the wheels, then adjusting

Pumping the brakes rapidly with no feel

Slamming the brakes to the floor immediately

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If the vehicle fishtails in the opposite direction after the first skid, you should:

Hold the wheel rigidly straight

Steer in the direction of the new skid

Apply the parking brake hard

Apply full throttle

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When correcting a skid, you must be careful not to:

Use turn signals

Look in your mirrors

Over-steer

Use the horn

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To become familiar with ABS operation, it is suggested that you:

Practice hard stops in an empty parking lot to activate the ABS

Test ABS only in heavy traffic

Only read about ABS in the manual

Avoid ever activating ABS intentionally

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When traction is lost, which vehicle control(s) are affected?

Only steering

Steering, braking, decelerating and accelerating

Only braking

Only accelerating

21 / 25

A slippery film that can cause skids often develops:

Only during snow storms

Only in freezing temperatures

After the first few minutes of rain

Only after hours of steady rain

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When ABS is working correctly, you:

Should not attempt to steer at all

Retain your ability to steer during a panic stop

Cannot steer until the vehicle stops

Must steer in a straight line only

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What is the best way to control a skid?

Turn the steering wheel quickly in any direction

Avoid it in the first place by adjusting speed and driving smoothly

Accelerate to straighten the vehicle

Lock the brakes immediately

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Hydroplaning is most likely caused by:

Using winter tires in summer

Driving at night

Using high-beam headlights in rain

Travelling too fast on a water-covered road

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Front wheel skids can result from:

Clean, dry pavement

Use of low gear on hills

Keeping a large following distance

Faulty brakes or excessive acceleration or speed on curves

Your score is

This section covers crucial skills such as safely executing emergency stops, steering to avoid obstacles, and managing mechanical failures while keeping students safe. Drivers are tested on their ability to respond to skids, tire blowouts, and sudden road obstructions. Knowledge of the appropriate use of emergency equipment and clear communication with passengers during emergencies is also emphasized. Mastery of these techniques ensures school bus drivers are prepared to act quickly and responsibly in critical situations.