Roadwise States Oregon Driving lessons Defensive Driving, Safety Belts and Communicating Oregon driving lesson · Safe & Responsible Driving
Defensive Driving, Safety Belts and Communicating A 3-minute lesson from the Oregon course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Safe & Responsible Driving
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 81, 82 Safe driving starts with awareness: knowing your surroundings, your vehicle and yourself, and always having an escape route in mind. Add a properly worn safety belt for everyone and clear signals to other drivers, and you prevent most surprises.
Adjust your driving for: Problems with your vehicle The type of road surface Poor weather, heavy traffic and poor lighting Your own physical, mental and emotional condition Handbook p. 81 ↗ Know the rule
You must be able to see to the front, sides and rear. Don't load or equip your vehicle in a way that blocks your view — stickers or objects on windows can limit it.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Defensive driver A driver who is always aware of their surroundings and possible escape routes, and who adjusts for conditions.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Know the rule
Safety belt use is mandatory in Oregon for all drivers and passengers in all available seating positions.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Wear your safety belt correctly Don't leave slack in the lap or shoulder portion Never put the shoulder strap under your arm or behind your back Handbook p. 81 ↗ Let other drivers know your plans by: Signaling before changing direction or lanes Using your brake lights to show you're slowing or stopping Turning on your headlights Using your horn as a reasonable warning Using your hazard lights when needed Handbook p. 82 ↗ Know the rule
Collisions often happen when one driver doesn't see another vehicle, or a driver does something unexpected.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Put it into practice
Your 7-year-old nephew is 4 feet 10 inches tall. He's tall enough, but he must stay in an approved child seat until the adult lap and shoulder belt fits him correctly.
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.
Safety belt use in Oregon is mandatory for: Only the driver and front passenger Everyone in every seat Only passengers under 18 Only on highways Answer: Everyone in every seat
Belts are mandatory for everyone, in every seat.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ A child must be restrained in an approved child safety seat until they are: 5 years old, no matter their height 12 years old, regardless of height 8 years old or 4'9" with proper belt fit 6 years old or 40 pounds Answer: 8 years old or 4'9" with proper belt fit
The seat requirement lasts until age 8 or 4'9", with proper belt fit.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Infants must ride rear-facing until they reach: One year of age Six months of age Four years of age Two years of age Answer: Two years of age
Rear-facing is required until age 2.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ When wearing a safety belt, you should never place the shoulder strap: Under your arm or behind your back Across your collarbone and the middle of your chest Over your shoulder Snug against your body Answer: Under your arm or behind your back
Never route the shoulder strap under your arm or behind you.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Placing stickers or other objects on your vehicle's windows can be dangerous because they: Increase glare from headlights at night Can limit your view of the road Weaken the window glass Are illegal regardless of placement Answer: Can limit your view of the road
Window clutter can block your view of the road.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Which of these is a way to communicate your intentions to other drivers? Following closely so they see you Making eye contact only Using your lights or horn Flashing lights to tell them to pass Answer: Using your lights or horn
Lights and horn are proper ways to communicate with other drivers.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Previous lesson No-Parking Zones and Emergency Parking Next lesson Avoiding a Collision More in Safe & Responsible Driving About the source Roadwise’s Oregon course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 81, 82. 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
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Oregon’s DMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.