Chapter 5-13: Impairing factors (other than drugs and alcohol)

The “Impairing Factors” section of the Saskatchewan written driving test highlights how various conditions can negatively affect driving ability.

Saskatchewan Driving Test - Chapter 5-13: Impairing factors (other than drugs and alcohol)

1 / 30

To reduce cellphone distraction, you should:

Hold it in your lap and glance at it

Keep it in your hand for quick access

Place it on the steering wheel

Put your cellphone where it will not tempt you or switch it off/airplane mode

2 / 30

An early warning sign of fatigue is:

Keeping a large following distance

Reducing your speed below the limit

Staring straight ahead instead of scanning properly

Frequently checking your mirrors

3 / 30

When you need to dial a number on your cellphone, you should:

Dial quickly while turning

Dial while slowing down in your lane

Pull off the road before dialing

Dial at red lights only

4 / 30

When encountering an aggressive driver, you should:

Avoid eye contact

Try to block them from passing

Follow closely to monitor them

Stare back to show confidence

5 / 30

When visibility is poor, you should adjust your speed to:

Half of the posted limit regardless of conditions

The number of seconds you can see ahead

Match the speed of other drivers

The maximum speed limit

6 / 30

During the first 10 minutes of a rainstorm, roads are:

No different than dry conditions

The least slippery

Only slippery on hills

The most slippery

7 / 30

To promote safer traffic flow, you should:

Not block the passing lane

Drive in the passing lane at all times

Speed up to prevent others from passing

Use the passing lane as a parking area

8 / 30

When driving in heavy rain, you should:

Brake hard to maintain control

Slow down and make only small, gentle movements with the controls

Use cruise control to maintain speed

Frequently change lanes

9 / 30

Aggressive driving (road rage) occurs when a motorist becomes:

Calm and relaxed

Confused about directions

Overly cautious

Angry, hostile, or furious behind the wheel

10 / 30

Aggressive driving is more commonly known as:

Road rage

Safe driving

Defensive driving

Careful driving

11 / 30

One recommended action when you begin to feel tired while driving is to:

Open the windows and speed up

Turn up the radio and keep driving

Stop and rest

Drink coffee and ignore the fatigue

12 / 30

When smoking in a vehicle, you should:

Open the windows

Turn the heater to maximum

Keep all windows closed

Use air recirculation only

13 / 30

Emotional or physical stress while driving:

Distracts you from the thinking part of your driving

Has no effect on your driving ability

Always improves concentration

Only matters on long trips

14 / 30

Driving while tired is especially unwise when:

You are driving in city traffic

You are driving along a straight road

You are driving on a winding road

You are driving at low speeds

15 / 30

Even slight variations in angry driving behavior are:

Not serious and can be ignored

Still considered road rage

Acceptable if traffic is heavy

Only a problem on highways

16 / 30

If you know you are under emotional or physical stress, you should:

Drive only on familiar roads

Not drive and arrange for someone else to drive you

Drive more slowly and carefully

Avoid highways but keep driving elsewhere

17 / 30

To avoid contributing to road rage, you should:

Not take traffic problems personally

Race other drivers to prove a point

Yell at other drivers if they make mistakes

Honk frequently to express frustration

18 / 30

The safest overall practice for using a phone in a vehicle is:

Whenever possible, pull over to a safe spot to use the phone

Use it only on highways

Use it only when traffic is light

Use it only when stopped in a traffic jam

19 / 30

If you cannot see 12 seconds ahead even after slowing down, you should:

Find a safe place and get off the road

Move to the centre of the road

Keep driving with your hazard lights on

Follow the vehicle ahead closely

20 / 30

If someone is driving aggressively behind you, the best way to ensure your safety is to:

Speed up to get away

Brake suddenly to warn them

Change lanes repeatedly

Pull over and let that person pass

21 / 30

Cigarette smoke inside a vehicle can cause:

A film on the inside of the windshield and windows

Only an odor with no visual impact

No effect on the windows

Better visibility through the glass

22 / 30

In fog, blowing snow, or heavy rain, you should:

Use only parking lights

Turn off your headlights

Use low beam headlights

Use high beam headlights

23 / 30

To help others see you in fog, dust, or heavy rain, you should:

Make sure your headlights and tail lights are on and clean

Use only your hazard flashers

Drive without lights to avoid glare

Turn on interior lights

24 / 30

Many collisions caused by cellphones are the result of:

Weather changes

Mechanical failure

Poor road conditions

Driver distraction

25 / 30

If you cannot stay awake while driving, you should:

Continue but drive slower

Get off the road

Turn on your hazard lights and stay in your lane

Open the windows and keep going

26 / 30

A behavior that helps prevent road rage is:

Using your horn often

Blocking the passing lane

Tailgating slower vehicles

Not making obscene gestures

27 / 30

To deal with fatigue, a good strategy is to:

Follow another vehicle closely

Move to the fast lane

Change drivers when you start to feel tired

Turn off your headlights

28 / 30

If a phone conversation becomes stressful or emotional while you are driving, you should:

Keep driving and ignore your emotions

Turn up the radio and continue talking

Speak louder to resolve it quickly

Pull over or end the conversation

29 / 30

While driving, you should never:

Take notes or look up phone numbers

Use any features of a hands-free unit

Report emergencies

End a stressful conversation

30 / 30

A recommended characteristic of the person who drives you when you are under stress is that they:

Are willing to drive fast to arrive sooner

Are a close family member, regardless of their health

Are not involved in the emotional situation and are physically well

Are emotionally involved so they understand you

Your score is

This section examines factors such as fatigue, stress, illness, and prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause drowsiness or slow reaction times. Test-takers learn how distractions such as mobile phones, eating, or adjusting in-car controls can reduce focus and increase the risk of accidents. Understanding these impairing factors is crucial for safe driving, as they can be just as dangerous as drugs or alcohol. Mastery of this section encourages drivers to recognize and manage anything that might compromise their alertness on Saskatchewan’s roads.