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Kentucky driving lesson · Before You Drive

Securing loads & driver-assist features

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

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Before You Drive
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
37, 38

Driving with an unsecured load is illegal and dangerous. A load is secure only when nothing can slide, shift, fall or sift onto the road or become airborne. Newer cars also have driver-assist (ADAS) features—helpful, but never a substitute for your attention.

Know the rule

Drivers who fail to secure their load may face a costly fine and jail time if they cause a crash.

Handbook p. 37 ↗

To secure your load:

  • Tie it down with rope, netting or straps
  • Tie large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer
  • Consider covering the whole load with a sturdy tarp or netting
  • Don't overload your vehicle or trailer
  • Always double-check that it's secure
  • Secure animals properly too
Handbook p. 38 ↗

Ask yourself before you drive:

  • Could any debris or cargo fall or blow out?
  • Is the load secured at the back, sides and top?
  • What would happen to it if I braked suddenly, hit a bump, or got hit?
  • Would I feel safe driving behind my vehicle?
Handbook p. 38 ↗

ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)

Safety features that sense conditions and identify dangers to help you avoid a crash—by alerting you (sounds, vibration) or by taking control, such as adjusting braking or steering.

Handbook p. 38 ↗

ADAS features include:

  • Blind spot warning
  • Back-up camera
  • Forward collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Lane keeping assistance
  • Active parking assist
Handbook p. 38 ↗

Know the rule

During your driving test you won't be allowed to use certain features, such as parking assist and cruise control.

Handbook p. 38 ↗

Using ADAS safely:

  • Stay focused—you're responsible for safe operation at all times
  • Read your owner's manual and know each feature's limitations
  • Features may not work properly in rain, snow, ice, fog, hills and curves
  • Keep sensors clean and undamaged
  • Keep software up to date and follow the manufacturer's recommendations
  • Keep doing head checks and using mirrors and cameras—don't rely on features alone
Handbook p. 38 ↗

Put it into practice

You're hauling a mattress in a pickup bed. Tie it directly to the truck with straps so it's secured at the back, sides and top. If it could lift off at highway speed, it isn't secure.

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.

A load is only considered secure when:
  1. Nothing can shift, fall, sift, or fly off
  2. It weighs less than 100 pounds
  3. It is tied down at the front only
  4. It is covered by any tarp, secured or not

Answer: Nothing can shift, fall, sift, or fly off

A load is secure only when nothing can slide, shift, fall, sift onto the roadway, or become airborne.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
Which driver-assist safety features are you NOT allowed to use during your road skills test?
  1. Turn signals
  2. Headlights
  3. Parking assist and cruise control
  4. Windshield wipers

Answer: Parking assist and cruise control

During the driving test you will not be allowed to use certain features such as parking assist and cruise control.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
According to the manual, ADAS safety features may not work properly in which conditions?
  1. Rain, snow, ice, fog, hills, and curves
  2. Only in parking lots
  3. Only in direct sunlight
  4. Only above 60 mph

Answer: Rain, snow, ice, fog, hills, and curves

Safety features may not perform reliably in rain, snow, ice, fog, hills, and curves.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
Which of these is listed in the manual as an ADAS (driver assistance) safety feature?
  1. Blind spot warning
  2. Anti-lock brakes
  3. Power steering
  4. Tire pressure gauge

Answer: Blind spot warning

Blind spot warning, backup camera, forward collision warning, and lane keeping assist are examples of ADAS features.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
You are still responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle even when ADAS features are active.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Drivers remain responsible for safe operation at all times and should not rely on safety features alone.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
Driving with an unsecured load is only a problem if you actually cause a crash.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Driving with an unsecured load is against the law regardless of whether a crash occurs.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
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