Unit E-1: Defensive Driving

The “Defensive Driving” section of the Manitoba School Bus Knowledge Test is crucial for ensuring the safety of students and road users.

Manitoba School Bus Test - Unit E-1: Defensive Driving

1 / 30

What should a driver do if snow or ice builds up on the bus’s front or rear windows?

Stop the bus and remove it

Open a window and look out the side

Turn the heater to maximum and keep driving

Wait until the next scheduled stop to clear it

2 / 30

What do accident investigators now say is the main cause of traffic accidents?

Road design

Poor weather

Human error

Mechanical failure

3 / 30

A driver not adjusting to specific conditions may:

Fail to respond properly to obstructions or slippery surfaces

Slow down for narrow bridges and curves

Increase following distance in poor conditions

Reduce speed on ice or snow

4 / 30

Which of the following is listed as a condition to which defensive driving must be applied?

Fuel prices

Driver condition

School scheduling

Passenger hobbies

5 / 30

Which of the following best describes the purpose of defensive driving?

To reduce wear and tear on the vehicle

To impress other drivers with skill

To allow the driver to travel faster

To help the driver avoid hazardous situations

6 / 30

What should be done with the roof strobe light in conditions of reduced visibility?

Use it only when stopped

Use it only during daylight hours

Ensure it is flashing

Turn it off to avoid distracting other drivers

7 / 30

In wildlife crossing areas, the defensive action the driver should usually take is to:

Turn off headlights to avoid startling animals

Speed up to clear the area quickly

Swerve sharply to avoid all animals

Slow down rather than swerving or hitting the animal if possible

8 / 30

Slow-moving or frequently stopping vehicles that require extra attention include:

Only cars with trailers

Sports cars and motorcycles

Emergency vehicles using sirens

Farm vehicles, underpowered vehicles, trucks on hills, buses, and delivery vehicles

9 / 30

According to recent studies, approximately what percentage of traffic accidents are due to human error?

95–99 percent

5–10 percent

25–30 percent

50–60 percent

10 / 30

When sharing the road, a key aspect of defensive driving is to:

Assume other drivers will always obey rules

Observe the driving behaviour of other motorists

Ignore vehicles not directly in front of you

Focus only on your own vehicle position

11 / 30

What should a driver do if they are suspicious about a potential mechanical problem?

Wait to see if the problem gets worse

Have it checked before operating the bus

Ignore it if the bus seems to run normally

Ask another driver if it is safe and keep driving

12 / 30

When visibility is severely reduced by rain, snow squalls, or thick fog, what is an appropriate action?

Increase speed to pass the bad area quickly

Leave the roadway at a safe spot to “sit out” the conditions

Follow closely behind another vehicle to use its lights

Stop immediately in your lane with hazard lights on

13 / 30

What is the best way to ensure all items of the school bus are inspected before a run?

Only check the lights and tires

Use a Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist

Rely on memory and experience

Ask students to watch for problems

14 / 30

Many accidents attributed to mechanical defects are actually due to drivers who:

Use the horn too frequently

Refuel too often

Fail to report defects or ensure repairs are made

Wash the vehicle regularly

15 / 30

Which three-step formula summarizes defensive driving?

Start, steer, stop

Speed up, pass, change lanes

Recognize hazards, decide on the defence, act in time

Signal, turn, stop

16 / 30

When rain, snow, or fog reduces visibility, what should a driver do first?

Adjust driving to conditions and take extra precautions

Turn off all lights to reduce glare

Use high beam headlights at all times

Maintain normal speed to keep traffic flowing

17 / 30

A clue that another driver may soon pull out from the curb is:

A car parked in a designated no-parking zone

A parked car with a driver inside, engine running, or wheels turned

A vehicle covered in snow and clearly unused

A parked car with no one in it and no exhaust

18 / 30

An example of your bus affecting other drivers is:

Signalling well in advance of turns

Keeping a safe following distance

Using proper gradual braking

Stopping too quickly for a following vehicle to stop in time

19 / 30

Why is it imperative that all school bus mechanical components are inspected thoroughly?

Because the driver is responsible for safe student transportation and the safety of other motorists

Because it is recommended for fuel efficiency

To improve the appearance of the bus

To avoid getting traffic tickets for minor defects

20 / 30

Your bus may not be readily seen by another driver when:

It is a clear day with the sun behind them

The sun is in the other driver’s eyes

The bus is stopped at a marked bus stop

You are using headlights in daylight

21 / 30

A lack of communication by another driver may be indicated by:

A clearly signalled lane change

A vehicle slowing in the roadway without signalling

Hazard lights used when stopping

Proper use of turn signals and brake lights

22 / 30

In dense fog, heavy rain, or snow, how should headlights be used?

Keep headlights on low beam

Flash headlights continuously

Use high beams for maximum visibility

Turn headlights off and use parking lights only

23 / 30

A clue that another driver may be losing control of their vehicle is:

Driving at a constant speed in a straight line

Turning too fast or sharply

Maintaining a large following distance

Using turn signals well in advance

24 / 30

Adverse weather conditions in the context of defensive driving are:

Only important on highways

One of the conditions to which the defensive driving formula must be applied

The responsibility of passengers

Not relevant if the bus is new

25 / 30

Many crashes blamed on road conditions are actually caused by drivers who:

Use their headlights too often

Avoid using the brakes on slippery roads

Fail to adjust their driving to road or hazardous conditions

Drive only during daylight

26 / 30

Another driver may have failed to observe your bus when:

They stay well behind the stop line

They slow, signal, and stop at a sign

They make eye contact with you and yield

They approach an intersection from the side without slowing

27 / 30

According to Manitoba Regulation 465/88R, what must a school bus driver do regarding the bus’s condition each day?

Rely on maintenance staff to find defects during scheduled service

Determine the safe condition of the school bus by daily inspection and report any defect

Only check the bus if a problem is suspected

Inspect the bus weekly unless otherwise instructed

28 / 30

Man-made conditions in this unit refers to:

Only construction zones

Only traffic lights and signs

Only mechanical failures

Situations created by people that require defensive driving

29 / 30

When should major mechanical deficiencies be corrected?

At the end of the school year

Only after a breakdown occurs

Before your run

When it is convenient for the maintenance staff

30 / 30

Which of the following is another condition covered by defensive driving in this unit?

Number of mirrors

Brand of tires

Colour of the bus

Vehicle condition

Your score is

This section evaluates a driver’s ability to anticipate hazards, maintain a safe following distance, and react appropriately to unpredictable situations. Defensive driving principles include staying alert, managing distractions, and frequently using mirrors. Drivers are expected to yield the right-of-way, adhere to speed limits, and adjust to weather or road conditions. Knowledge of defensive driving helps prevent accidents and contributes to a safer school environment. Mastery of these skills is essential for anyone seeking to operate a school bus in Manitoba.