A 3-minute lesson from the Washington course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Driving takes a body and mind that are ready for it. A cold, a headache, or stress can slow you down, poor vision hides hazards, and blocking your ears cuts off warnings like sirens. Check in with yourself before you start the engine.
To be a good driver, you need to be:
Mindful of yourself, others, and your impact on the community
Responsible for the rules of the road
Familiar with how your vehicle works and takes up space
A bad cold, a headache, tension in your shoulders, or stress can reduce your ability to handle the vehicle and make wise decisions. If you're not feeling well but need to go somewhere, let someone else drive.
Horns, sirens, and screeching tires warn you of danger. Hearing loss often progresses slowly; drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing can adjust by relying more on vision and staying alert.
You like driving with noise-canceling earbuds playing music. That's illegal in Washington. A hands-free device in one ear that complies with WAC 204-10-045 is the only allowed option, and not at all for permit or intermediate drivers.
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're required to wear corrective lenses, what should you avoid using at night?
Clear prescription glasses
Dark or tinted corrective lenses
Any glasses at all
Contact lenses instead of glasses
Answer: Dark or tinted corrective lenses
Avoid using dark or tinted corrective lenses at night, since they reduce your vision further.