CDL Combination Vehicles TestDriving Combination Vehicles SafelyMedium
You are driving a combination vehicle through an urban area and notice a child's ball roll into the street ahead. What is your immediate and safest course of action?
- ASpeed up to get past the hazard before a child can enter the road.
- BMaintain your lane, cover the brake, and be prepared for a child to follow the ball.
- CBrake hard and swerve to avoid the ball.
- DHonk your horn continuously and continue driving, assuming no child is present.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Maintain your lane, cover the brake, and be prepared for a child to follow the ball.
Seeing a child's toy in the street is a strong indicator that a child might follow it. The safest action is to slow down, cover your brake for immediate stopping, and be prepared for the worst-case scenario without making sudden, dangerous maneuvers like swerving.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Speeding up is reckless and significantly increases the risk of hitting a child if they do enter the road.
- C. Braking hard and swerving with a combination vehicle can lead to loss of control, jackknifing, or a rollover, creating a greater hazard.
- D. Assuming no child is present is extremely dangerous and irresponsible; the ball is a clear warning sign.
Hazard Anticipation: Child's Toy
A child's toy in the road is an immediate warning of a child potentially entering traffic; respond by slowing down and preparing to stop.
- Expect the unexpected.
- Children are unpredictable.
- Prioritize safety over maintaining speed.
Memory trick: Ball in the road, a child's code, prepare for the load (of responsibility).