roadwise.Open study app

District of Columbia driving lesson · Safe Driving Fundamentals

Being ready to drive

A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Safe Driving Fundamentals
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
4, 20, 22

Driving is one of the most complex things people do, and one of the few everyday activities that can injure or kill you. Being safe takes skill, experience, responsibility and judgment, and it starts before you turn the key.

Your ability to drive safely depends on:

  • Seeing clearly
  • Not being overly tired
  • Not driving while on drugs
  • Being generally healthy
  • Being emotionally fit to drive
Handbook p. 20 ↗

Know the rule

Two major risk factors that threaten driver and public safety are Distracted Driving and Impaired Driving.

Handbook p. 4 ↗

Know the rule

You look with your eyes but see with your mind. An alert mind prepares you for the decisions you must make.

Handbook p. 20 ↗

Least risk

All driving involves some risk. Size up the situation, recognize the different things you could do, and choose the action that involves the least risk.

Handbook p. 20 ↗

Know the rule

Let other drivers and pedestrians know what you will do through hand signals, turn signals, headlights, brake lights and the position of your vehicle.

Handbook p. 20 ↗

Basic safety steps before you drive:

  • Look over the outside of the vehicle: tires, loose objects, leaks
  • Adjust the seat
  • Adjust the mirrors
  • Properly fasten seat belts
  • Insert the key and start the engine
  • Think how light, weather, road and traffic conditions will affect your trip
  • Check brake lights and signals
Handbook p. 22 ↗

Know the rule

Even when you obey the law you can still crash: others may break laws, be inattentive, or drive vehicles in poor condition. Stay alert, foresee danger and make allowances for others' mistakes.

Handbook p. 22 ↗

Put it into practice

You borrow a friend's car. Before pulling out, walk around it and check the tires and for leaks, adjust the seat and mirrors, buckle up, then check that brake lights and signals work. Heavy rain is forecast, so you plan extra time.

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.

The handbook advises which action before starting a trip in a vehicle?
  1. Turn on the radio immediately
  2. Adjust your seat, mirrors, and seat belt
  3. Warm up the engine for 10 minutes
  4. Turn on your hazard lights

Answer: Adjust your seat, mirrors, and seat belt

Basic safety rules before starting off include adjusting the seat, mirrors, and fastening seat belts.

Handbook p. 22 ↗
When deciding what to do in a traffic situation, the handbook says the smart driver chooses the action with what?
  1. The shortest travel time
  2. The least risk
  3. No risk at all
  4. The least braking

Answer: The least risk

All driving involves some risk, so size up the situation and choose the action that involves the least risk.

Handbook p. 20 ↗
Which two major risk factors does the handbook say threaten driver and public safety?
  1. Speeding and tailgating
  2. Bad weather and night driving
  3. Distracted and impaired driving
  4. Road work and potholes

Answer: Distracted and impaired driving

The handbook names Distracted and Impaired Driving as two major risk factors that threaten driver and public safety.

Handbook p. 4 ↗
If you obey all traffic laws, you cannot be involved in a traffic crash.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Even when you obey the law, others may break it, be inattentive or drive vehicles in poor condition, so you can still crash.

Handbook p. 22 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Safe Driving Fundamentals

All District of Columbia lessons