Roadwise States California Driving lessons Emergency flashers & breakdowns California driving lesson · Vehicle Control Basics
Emergency flashers & breakdowns A 2-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 2 minutes
Course unit Vehicle Control Basics
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 18 When there's trouble ahead, or your own car has trouble, your job is to warn drivers behind you early and get out of the way of traffic.
To warn drivers behind you of a collision or hazard ahead: Turn on your emergency flashers Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times Use a hand signal when slowing and stopping Handbook p. 18 ↗ Know the rule
If you must stop because of vehicle trouble, turn on your emergency flashers. If your vehicle has none, use your turn signals.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ Know the rule
If possible, pull off the road away from all traffic.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ Know the rule
If you cannot get completely off the road, stop where people can see you and your vehicle from behind.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ Know the rule
Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve; other drivers may not see your vehicle in time to avoid a collision.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ Know the rule
Call for emergency roadside assistance and stay in your vehicle until help arrives.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ 3–4 taps Lightly tap the brake pedal this many times to warn drivers behind you
Handbook p. 18 ↗ Put it into practice
Your car starts losing power as you climb a hill on a two-lane road. Don't coast to a stop just over the top, where drivers behind can't see you in time. Pull completely off the road if you can, or stop where you're visible from behind, turn on your flashers, call for help and stay inside.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
If you see a hazard ahead and want to warn drivers behind you, what can you do besides using emergency flashers? Flash your high beams Sound your horn Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times Turn on your fog lights Answer: Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times
You can warn drivers behind you by tapping your brake pedal three or four times, or using a hand signal.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ If your vehicle breaks down and has no emergency flashers, what should you use instead? Your headlights Your horn Your parking lights Your turn signals Answer: Your turn signals
If your vehicle lacks emergency flashers, use your turn signals to warn other drivers.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ Where should you avoid stopping a disabled vehicle if possible? Just over a hill or around a curve On a straight, flat section of road Near a well-lit intersection In a marked turnout area Answer: Just over a hill or around a curve
Avoid stopping just over a hill or around a curve, since other drivers may not see you in time.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ If you must stop for vehicle trouble, what should you do if possible? Stop in the current lane with flashers on Pull completely off the road Continue driving slowly until help arrives Stop on the left shoulder Answer: Pull completely off the road
If possible, pull completely off the road away from all traffic when stopped for vehicle trouble.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ What should you do while waiting for emergency roadside assistance after a breakdown? Walk to the nearest exit Stand behind your vehicle to flag help Call for help and stay in your vehicle Raise the hood and wait outside Answer: Call for help and stay in your vehicle
Call for emergency roadside assistance and stay in your vehicle until help arrives.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ If you cannot get completely off the road after a breakdown, you should stop where others can see your vehicle from behind. True False Answer: True
If you can't get fully off the road, stop where people can see you and your vehicle from behind.
Handbook p. 18 ↗ Previous lesson Horn & headlights Next lesson Yellow lane lines More in Vehicle Control Basics About the source Roadwise’s California course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 18. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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