Series 3-22: Detecting Other Driving Hazards

The “Detecting Other Driving Hazards” section of the Alberta School Bus knowledge test assesses a driver’s ability to recognize and respond to various dangers beyond typical road conditions.

Alberta School Bus Test - SERIES 3-22: Detecting Other Driving Hazards

1 / 25

A red-light-runner is most likely to arrive at the intersection:

Only late at night

Within about four seconds of the light changing

Only before the light turns red

Ten seconds after the light changes

2 / 25

A clue that another vehicle may present a hazard and deserves extra space is:

Using turn signals early

Keeping a long following distance

Maintaining a steady, appropriate speed

Frequent speed changes when not required by conditions

3 / 25

Another driver’s failure to adjust to icy, slippery road conditions:

Is a clue that they are a potential hazard

Means you can follow them closely

Means they are highly skilled in winter driving

Has no impact on your driving decisions

4 / 25

Frequent lane changes by another driver suggest:

The driver has excellent lane control

The driver is trying to help traffic flow

The driver is following all safety rules

Possible aggressiveness, inattentiveness, indecisiveness, fatigue, or alcohol impairment

5 / 25

A driver who fails to signal intentions:

Is not a concern to other road users

Is usually very experienced

Is always paying attention to traffic

May present a hazard because their actions are unpredictable

6 / 25

High-volume traffic can increase hazards because:

It removes the need to adjust speed

It eliminates the risk of collisions

Visibility can be restricted by other traffic

It guarantees smoother traffic flow

7 / 25

Quick, jerky stops when not necessary indicate:

Normal braking behaviour

Good anticipation of traffic flow

A possible hazard that requires you to give extra room

Safe and defensive driving

8 / 25

If many vehicles are ahead of you waiting to turn left and it may take more than one light cycle, you might:

Block the intersection to force your turn

Drive onto private property to turn around

Go straight through, then make three right turns on side streets to reach your destination

Honk until drivers move faster

9 / 25

Left turns at controlled intersections:

Require no special attention

Are always safe and low risk

Are less risky than right turns

Are one of the most dangerous driving manoeuvres and cause many serious collisions

10 / 25

The correct sequence for checking when entering an intersection is:

Look straight ahead, then left

Look right only and proceed

Look in the rear-view mirror first

Look left, then right, then left again before moving into the intersection

11 / 25

When entering an intersection, the immediate danger usually comes from:

Traffic behind your vehicle

Pedestrians on the sidewalk behind you

Traffic coming from your left on the cross-street

Parked vehicles beside the road

12 / 25

A clue to a potential hazard involving other road users is:

Empty sidewalks far from the road

Parked cars in a closed lot

People standing inside a building

Pedestrians or joggers on the shoulder or sidewalk near the road

13 / 25

When waiting in the intersection to turn left on a green light, you must:

Turn as soon as your light is green, regardless of oncoming traffic

Block oncoming traffic to force your turn

Only watch for pedestrians, not vehicles

Yield to all oncoming traffic going straight through

14 / 25

One key difficulty of real driving situations is that hazards:

Always occur one at a time

Are always easy to predict and avoid

Often occur in combination, requiring split-second thinking and action

Only occur in good weather

15 / 25

While waiting to turn left in an intersection, your front wheels should be:

Turned slightly right

Turned fully to the left as soon as you stop

Turned randomly to keep moving

Kept straight until you actually begin the turn

16 / 25

To make left turns safer, the most important thing for a driver is to be:

Knowledgeable and mindful of the dangers

Focused only on the traffic light colour

Fast and assertive

Unconcerned about cross traffic

17 / 25

Out-of-province licence plates suggest:

The driver will never need extra space

The driver is always more skilled

The driver may be unfamiliar with the area and could stop or change directions unexpectedly

The driver knows the local roads well

18 / 25

If you entered the intersection legally on a green light and the light turns yellow or red while you wait to turn left, you:

Are not allowed to finish the turn

Must back out of the intersection

Must remain stopped until the next green

May complete your turn at the earliest safe opportunity

19 / 25

A motion-related clue to danger might be:

A person sitting on a park bench

A pedestrian standing still, facing away from the road

A cyclist walking their bike on a path far from traffic

Children playing near the road or a pedestrian running toward the road

20 / 25

If you do not have a clear view of all oncoming traffic lanes when turning left, you should:

Honk and proceed anyway

Rely on other drivers to avoid you

Not begin your turn until you have a clear view and it is safe

Turn slowly into the blind area

21 / 25

The main reason for keeping your wheels straight while waiting to turn left is:

To save fuel

To make your turn slower

To avoid being pushed into oncoming traffic if rear-ended

To reduce tire wear

22 / 25

Multiple vehicle hazards are typically formed:

Only on deserted rural roads

Only during perfect weather conditions

At traffic conflict points where traffic converges or intersects

Only in parking lots

23 / 25

An attentiveness-related hazard clue is:

A cyclist signalling well in advance

A driver carefully checking mirrors before stepping out

A pedestrian whose vision is obscured or who is distracted (e.g., by an umbrella or music)

A pedestrian making clear eye contact with you

24 / 25

Other road user hazards include:

Only vehicles larger than your bus

Only other buses

Pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, and animals near the roadway

Road signs and signals

25 / 25

Single vehicle hazards involve:

Only the motion of an individual vehicle

Two vehicles travelling in opposite directions

Only vehicles travelling at high speed

Three or more vehicles in a collision

Your score is

This includes unexpected actions from other drivers, such as sudden lane changes, aggressive driving, or vehicles running red lights. School bus drivers must remain alert and prepared to react appropriately to these unpredictable situations. The test ensures drivers can identify these hazards early and take preventive measures to protect their passengers. Strong skills in hazard detection are vital for maintaining a safe journey and upholding the high safety standards required for Alberta school bus drivers.