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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Pumping ABS brakes:

Defeats the computer’s effort to sense a wheel skid

Is required on slippery roads

Helps the system work faster

Engages an emergency mode

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If a front tire blows out, the steering will:

Pull strongly toward the side with the blowout

Pull away from the side with the blowout

Not be affected

Become completely loose in your hands

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A tire-failure skid can result from:

Overuse of windshield wipers

Under-inflation or a sudden deflation from a blowout

Excessive use of turn signals

Low engine oil pressure

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What is the best way to control a skid?

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

Accelerate to straighten the vehicle

Lock the brakes immediately

Turn the steering wheel quickly in any direction

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When braking hard with ABS, you should:

Pump the brakes rapidly

Release the pedal if you feel pulsation

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

Apply light, intermittent pressure

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Skids are primarily caused by:

Driver error

Weather forecasts

Mechanical design of the bus

Passenger movement

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

Whenever you begin to steer

As soon as you feel vibration

When your speed drops by half

Only when you no longer need to brake

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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

Slamming the brakes to the floor immediately

Pumping the brakes rapidly with no feel

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When correcting a skid, you should turn your wheels:

Straight ahead and hold them there

In the opposite direction of the skid

In the same direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding

All the way to the left

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A flat tire acts like:

A brake on that side of the vehicle

A traction aid

A steering stabilizer

A shock absorber on that side

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

Use the horn

Use turn signals

Over-steer

Look in your mirrors

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

Let go of the wheel to avoid injury

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

Turn sharply into the skid

Immediately turn onto the shoulder

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

Apply full throttle

Steer in the direction of the new skid

Hold the wheel rigidly straight

Apply the parking brake hard

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Hydroplaning is most likely caused by:

Using winter tires in summer

Travelling too fast on a water-covered road

Driving at night

Using high-beam headlights in rain

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Once mastered, threshold braking will:

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

Damage the braking system

Always stop you slower but more comfortably

Only work on dry roads

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A slippery film that can cause skids often develops:

Only in freezing temperatures

Only after hours of steady rain

After the first few minutes of rain

Only during snow storms

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

Only accelerating

Only steering

Steering, braking, decelerating and accelerating

Only braking

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When ABS is working correctly, you:

Retain your ability to steer during a panic stop

Must steer in a straight line only

Should not attempt to steer at all

Cannot steer until the vehicle stops

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

Reduce fuel consumption

Make braking completely automatic

Eliminate the need for driver input

Prevent wheel lockup and maintain steering control

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ABS systems “feel” tire slip using:

The parking brake cable

Computer-controlled sensors at each wheel

A pressure gauge on the dashboard

The power steering pump

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

Test ABS only in heavy traffic

Avoid ever activating ABS intentionally

Only read about ABS in the manual

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

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Front wheel skids can result from:

Use of low gear on hills

Keeping a large following distance

Faulty brakes or excessive acceleration or speed on curves

Clean, dry pavement

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Skids almost always happen because the vehicle was:

Travelling too fast for conditions

Being driven in a straight line

Too light for the road surface

Using low beam headlights

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

Turning off the engine

Steering and braking properly

Accelerating hard

Shifting to neutral and coasting

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During a skid, tires lose:

Proper traction with the road surface

The ability to rotate

Air pressure immediately

Contact with the rims

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.