Test your Vehicle and Traffic Law IQ — Round 6 answers
Last week we presented 20 questions on vehicle and traffic law and traffic safety. Hopefully you took the test and saved your answers. This week we repeat the questions, give you the answers, and the authority for the answers. See how well you did.
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True or false
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1. A “two way left turn” lane may be used to enter a street or highway. [True, V & T Law, section 1126(c)]
2. If you hit a cat while driving along a rural road, you MUST stop and report it. [True, V&T Law, 601; (includes horse, dog, cat, or animal classified as cattle)
3. If the signal lights at an intersection are not working (i.e. power failure) the less busy street or road must yield to the busier street or road. [False. All must stop as if it were an all-way stop sign. V&T Law, section 1117]
4. If found guilty of driving with a BAC of 0.18 or more for the first time, it is a felony. [False. It is not a felony for a first-time offender unless there is a child under 16 in the car. It is a class E felony if convicted a second time within 10 years, so, as the question was written, the answer is false.]
5. Just holding a portable electronic device in a conspicuous manner is illegal. [True, V&T Law, 1225-d-4]
6. If you have a green light, you may enter the intersection to turn left and then wait in the intersection for either a break in oncoming traffic or the light to change. [Yes, providing no other vehicle ahead of you is preparing for a left turn; NYS Driver’s manual]
7. Amber rear turn signals are safer than red ones. True. Studies have proven amber rear turn signals safer. They are mandatory in Europe. [IIHS]
8. When leaving a parallel parking space on the right side of the street, you must use your left turn signal before pulling out into traffic. [True, New York State Driver’s Manual]
9. If your vehicle has daytime running lights, you are not required to turn on your headlights when your wipers are on. [False, V & T Law, article 375(2)(a) mandates “headlights” whenever wipers are in use – daytime running lights are not headlights under V&T Law]
10. State VTL requires pedestrians to walk facing oncoming traffic and bicyclists to ride on the right with traffic. [1156 (b) for pedestrians, 1234 (a) for bicycles]
Multiple choice questions
11. You are required to slow down and move over when approaching: a) stopped police vehicles with red/white/blue flashing lights, b) a utility truck with amber flashing lights, c) a rural mail carrier with flashing amber light, d) all of these. [(d), V&T Law, section 1144-a]
12. A conviction for texting while driving carries: a) 2, b) 3, c) 5, d) 7 driver violation points. [(d), V&T Law, section 1144-a]
13. In most European countries, the limit for drunk driving is a BAC level of: a) 0.02, b) 0.05, c) 0.08, d) 0.10. [(b), 0.05, Internet, BAC limits worldwide]
14. If a snowplow hits and damages your rural mailbox, the municipality that owns the snowplow must fix the mailbox within: a) 48 hours, b) one week, c) by the following April 1st, d) is under no obligation to repair it. [(d). Highway Law, section 319]
15. When parallel parking a vehicle on a village street with curbs, you must be no more than; a) 6 inches, b) 12 inches, c) 18 inches, d) 24 inches from the curb. [b, VTL section 1203(a)]
16. Traffic control devices (signals, signs, and pavement markings) apply to; a) streets and highways, b) bikeways, c) private roads open to public travel, d) all of these. [d; MUTCD, section 1A.02.01]
17.At an intersection where you have a green light but can’t turn left because of oncoming traffic, you should; a) proceed into the intersection and wait for either a break in traffic or the light to change and then complete your turn, b) continue straight so as not to hold up traffic, c) wait at the stop bar and hope you can turn before the light changes to red, d) flash your lights then turn in front of traffic. [(a), New York State Driver’s Manual, pages 50-51]
18. A driver convicted of speeding more than 40 mph over the posted speed limit is assigned A) 3 points, B) 5 points, C) 7 points, D) 11 points against their license? [(d), 11 points, DMV]
19. Which of the following are deemed “traffic control devices”: a) pedestrian walk/don’t walk signal, b) a sign giving the mileage to the next village, c) a painted arrow on the pavement in a turn lane, d) all of the above? [d; MUTCD, section 1A.02.01]
20. Turn signals are required in which of the following situations: a) 100 feet before a turn, b) 100 feet before a lane change, c) when leaving a parallel parking place, d) all of the above? [(d), New York State Driver’s Manual on Turns]
We hope you did well, answering most of the questions correctly. If not, now is the time to bone up on your understanding of vehicle and traffic law and applicable rules of the road. To help in this endeavor, be a faithful reader of this column in the Malone Telegram and the Enterprise, or on Franklin County’s Traffic Safety Board website.



