Driving Behavior Test

Leaving both parking and hazard lights on make your vehicle more visible to other drivers and pedestrians, especially in poorly lit areas, thus reducing the risk of accidents. 

Before starting your engine, your seat should be adjusted for height to ensure proper visibility of the road, mirrors, and dashboard. This also helps you reach the pedals comfortably and maintain a safe driving posture.

Before stopping, you should use the mirrors to check for traffic behind you. This helps ensure that stopping is safe and does not cause a hazard for other road users. Checking your mirrors allows you to be aware of approaching vehicles and adjust your braking accordingly.

You should stop, and then move slowly until you have a clear view to ensure it is safe to proceed. Moving cautiously helps avoid collisions with unseen oncoming traffic.

Since you are driving on a clear night with a steady stream of oncoming traffic and the national speed limit applies, you should expect to see dipped headlights rather than full beam headlights.

Using full beam headlights in this situation would dazzle oncoming drivers, creating a safety hazard. Full beams should only be used when there is no oncoming traffic and no vehicles ahead that could be blinded by your lights.

Before moving off, a driver must check their surroundings, look into the mirrors, and signal their intentions. This ensures awareness of other vehicles, pedestrians, and any potential hazards, improving safety for everyone on the road.

When approaching a roundabout in Ghana, you should always give way to traffic on your left, as traffic flows on the right side of the road. This helps maintain a smooth and safe flow of vehicles around the roundabout.

Reducing speed is crucial when approaching a traffic light that is showing amber, as it indicates that the light is about to turn red. Slowing down prepares you to stop safely if necessary, ensuring you do not run a red light or risk a collision.

Waving pedestrians to cross can be risky because other vehicles may be approaching and not see the pedestrian. Pedestrians should only cross when it's safe and when vehicles are stopping for them.

When following a large vehicle, stay out of its blind spots by positioning your vehicle in a place where the driver can see you in their mirrors. These blind spots are usually located directly behind the vehicle, along the sides (especially the right side), and sometimes in front of the vehicle. To avoid these, ensure you:

• Position yourself slightly to the left of the large vehicle, staying visible in the driver's side mirror.
• Keep a safe distance so you aren't directly behind or too close to the vehicle.
• Pass the vehicle quickly when overtaking to minimize the time spent in their blind spots.

This will help you stay visible and reduce the risk of accidents.

To prevent feeling sleepy while driving long distances, stopping and walking around is the best solution. Taking breaks, stretching, and getting some fresh air can help you stay alert. Relying on coffee or speeding may not be effective in the long term and can be dangerous. Always prioritize safety by getting rest when needed.

Taking up the correct position in good time signals your intentions to other road users, allowing them to anticipate your movement and adjust accordingly. This improves road safety and ensures smoother traffic flow. Proper positioning also helps prevent last-minute lane changes, which can be dangerous.

Even after having just a few alcoholic drinks, a person’s reaction time, judgment, and coordination can still be impaired. It is safest to avoid driving altogether. Advising the driver to take public transport or arrange for a designated driver ensures they don’t take any risks on the road. Alcohol can affect your ability to drive safely even if you don’t feel overly intoxicated.

If you are approaching traffic lights that have been green for some time, it's important to be ready to stop. Traffic lights could change to red at any moment, so you should prepare to slow down and stop if necessary.

On a wet road, applying your brakes gently helps avoid skidding, which can occur when the tires lose grip on the slippery surface. Sudden or harsh braking can cause the wheels to lock, leading to a loss of control. By braking gently, you maintain better control of the vehicle and reduce the risk of skidding.

Keeping the clutch down or selecting neutral while driving down a steep hill is dangerous because it removes engine braking, allowing the vehicle to gain speed uncontrollably. This can make it harder to slow down, increasing the risk of losing control or needing excessive braking, which can lead to brake failure due to overheating. Always use a lower gear to help control your speed safely.

Alcohol affects the central nervous system and impairs various functions, including coordination, judgment, and reaction time. When you consume alcohol, it slows your reaction time, making it harder to respond quickly to sudden situations on the road. This can be dangerous for both the driver and others. It does not directly affect your vehicle or brakes, nor does it increase alertness.

When you encounter inexperienced drivers, it's important to be patient and allow extra space. They may not be as quick to react or make decisions, so giving them time and being cautious helps prevent accidents. Avoid overtaking them aggressively, flashing your headlights, or honking, as these actions may increase their anxiety or cause confusion. Safety and consideration are key.

At an intersection controlled by traffic lights, pedestrians have the right of way when crossing at designated pedestrian crossings, even if the traffic light turns green for vehicles. Always yield to pedestrians to ensure their safety.

At a T-junction, if your view is obstructed due to parked vehicles, you should ease forward cautiously until you can see clearly without crossing the give-way lines. This helps ensure that you have a clear view of oncoming traffic from both directions before proceeding safely. Always make sure to move gradually to avoid any sudden risks, and never rely on passengers to signal for you. Safety should be your priority.

When it's windy, and you are behind a motorcyclist who is overtaking a high-sided vehicle, you should keep well back. High winds can affect the stability of both the motorcyclist and the vehicle. Giving extra space allows you to safely react to any sudden movements or gusts of wind that may cause instability. Avoid overtaking until it is safe to do so.

To correct a rear-wheel skid, you should steer in the same direction as the skid (steer into it). This helps you regain control by aligning the wheels with the direction of travel. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, as this can make the skid worse.

Parking very close alongside another vehicle is called double parking, not tailgating. Tailgating refers to following another vehicle too closely while driving, which is dangerous as it reduces reaction time in case of sudden braking.

The risk of accidents is greatest in built-up areas, where there are more pedestrians, cyclists, intersections, and frequent stops, increasing the chances of collisions.

A driver should look far ahead of the vehicle while driving, typically aiming for a 12-15 second gap between their car and the one in front to allow enough time to react to potential hazards.

When descending a hill, you should avoid braking excessively — it can cause your brakes to overheat and fail. Instead, use a low gear to control your speed and apply the brakes gently when necessary.

Using a hand-held phone while driving is dangerous and can distract you. It’s safest to stop in a secure location before using your phone.

On a wet road, stopping distance is seriously affected. Wet surfaces reduce tyre grip, increasing the time and distance needed to come to a complete stop safely.

You should avoid overtaking when approaching a pothole because it could be unsafe to maneuver around it while overtaking, and you may lose control or damage your vehicle.

The best message to display on your vehicle to help save lives on the road is "Don't jump the red light." This reminds drivers to obey traffic signals, reducing the risk of accidents at intersections.