Theory Test Accidents - Questions and Answers

You see a car on the hard shoulder of a motorway with a
HELP pennant displayed. This means the driver is most
likely to be

A. A disabled driver
B. First aid trained
C. A foreign visitor
D. A rescue patrol person

Answer - a disabled driver

If a disabled driver’s vehicle breaks down and they are unable to walk to an emergency phone, they are advised to stay in their car and switch on the hazard warning lights. They may also display a 'Help’ pennant in their vehicle.

You are going through a congested tunnel and have to
stop. What should you do?

A. Pull up very close to the vehicle in front to save space
B. Ignore any message signs as they are never up to date
C. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front
D. Make a U-turn and find another route

Answer - Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front

It’s important to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front at all times. This still applies in congested tunnels even if you are moving very slowly or have stopped. If the vehicle in front breaks down you may need room to manoeuvre past it.

You are on a motorway. A large box falls onto the road
from a lorry. The lorry does not stop. You should

A. Go to the next emergency telephone and report the hazard
B. Catch up with the lorry and try to get the driver's attention
C. Stop close to the box until the police arrive
D. Pull over to the hard shoulder, then remove the box

Answer - Go to the next emergency telephone and report the hazard

Lorry drivers can be unaware of objects falling from their vehicles. If you see something fall onto a motorway look to see if the driver pulls over. If they don’t stop, do not attempt to retrieve it yourself. Pull on to the hard shoulder near an emergency telephone and report the hazard. You will be connected to the police or a Highways Agency control centre.

You arrive at the scene of a motorcycle crash. The rider
is injured. When should the helmet be removed?

A. Only when it is essential
B. Always straight away
C. Only when the motorcyclist asks
D. Always, unless they are in shock

Answers - Only when it is essential

DO NOT remove a motorcyclist’s helmet unless it is essential. Remember they may be suffering from shock. Don’t give them anything to eat or drink but do reassure them confidently.

Which of the following should you not do at the scene of
a collision?

A. Warn other traffic by switching on your hazard warning
lights
B. Call the emergency services immediately
C. Offer someone a cigarette to calm them down
D. Ask drivers to switch off their engines

Answer - Offer someone a cigarette to calm them down

Keeping casualties or witnesses calm is important, but never offer a cigarette because of the risk of fire. Bear in mind they may be in shock. Don’t offer an injured person anything to eat or drink. They may have internal injuries or need surgery.

At an incident a casualty is unconscious but still breathing.
You should only move them if

A. An ambulance is on its way
B. Bystanders advise you to
C. There is further danger
D. Bystanders will help you to

Answer - There is further danger

Do not move a casualty unless there is further danger, for example, from other traffic or fire. They may have unseen or internal injuries. Moving them unnecessarily could cause further injury. Do NOT remove a motorcyclists helmet unless it’s essential.

Your tyre bursts while you are driving. Which TWO
things should you do?

A. Pull on the handbrake
B. Brake as quickly as possible
C. Pull up slowly at the side of the road
D. Hold the steering wheel firmly to keep control
E. Continue on at a normal speed

Answer -

Pull up slowly at the side of the road

Hold the steering wheel firmly to keep control

A tyre bursting can lead to a loss of control, especially if you’re travelling at high speed. Using the correct procedure should help you to stop the vehicle safely.

Which TWO safeguards could you take against fire risk to
your vehicle?

A. Keep water levels above maximum
B. Carry a fire extinguisher
C. Avoid driving with a full tank of petrol
D. Use unleaded petrol
E. Check out any strong smell of petrol
F. Use low octane fuel

Answer -

Carry a fire extinguisher

Check out any strong smell of petrol

The fuel in your vehicle can be a dangerous fire hazard. Never use a naked flame near the vehicle if you can smell fuel or smoke when refuelling your vehicle.

Your engine catches fire. What should you do first?

A. Lift the bonnet and disconnect the battery
B. Lift the bonnet and warn other traffic
C. Call a breakdown service
D. Call the fire brigade

Answer - Call the fire brigade

If you suspect a fire in the engine compartment you should pull up as safely and as quickly as possible. DO NOT open the bonnet as this will fuel the fire further. Get any passengers out of the vehicle and dial 999 immediately to contact the fire brigade.

You are in a collision on a two-way road. You have a warning
triangle with you. At what distance before the obstruction
should you place the warning triangle?

A. 25 metres
B. 45 metres
C. 100 metres
D. 150 metres

Answer - 45 metres

This is the minimum distance to place the triangle from the obstruction. If there’s a bend or hump in the road place it so that approaching traffic has plenty of time to react to the warning and slow down. You may also need to use your hazard warning lights, especially in poor visibility or at night.